ETTRICK,Va. – The Elizabeth City State University football team fell, 41-19, to Virginia State University in Rogers Stadium Saturday afternoon.

With the loss, the Vikings fall to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association; while VSU improves to 2-3 overall, 3-0 in conference play.    

The first half ended  with the Trojans leading by a score of 27-12. VSU opened the game wasting no time, scoring on a quick 13-yard scamper up the middle by Demetrius Strickland to make it a, 7-0 ballgame. As a team, the Vikings racked up 162 yards on 31 attempts rushing; while holding the Trojans to only 86 yards. Senior running back Deshon Saunders led Elizabeth City State with 85 total yards on 10 carries. 

ECSU found the end zone at the 11:26 mark when freshman quarterback Kedrick Patterson connected on a seven yard pass to senior wideout Dajuan Greene, making it a 7-6 contest. The possession went for 77 yards on 10 plays in 2:52. 

Virginia State recorded three more scores before the Vikings added its second score of the game with 00:15 remaining in the half on a senior running back Chase Byrum 2 yard catch from Patterson. 

Junior safety Noah Tuttle led the defense with four tackles.  

Elizabeth City State took its momentum into the second half, recording another touchdown after driving the ball 71 yards in eight plays. Patterson connected with Greene on a 10 yard pass reception, which made it a one score ballgame, 27-19.

VSU added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, capping off a 41-19 contest. Saunders led the Vikings with 90 yards rushing on 13 carries  in his first outing on the season; while Tuttle led all defensive players with six tackles; including three tackles for a loss. ECSU as a team went 3-for-16 on third down conversions; while going 3-for-4 in the red zone. Patterson finished with 113 yards on 8-of-28 passing and two touchdowns. 

The Vikings travel to Lincoln (PA) to face the Lions of Lincoln University in a CIAA Northern division clash Saturday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. for Lincoln's homecoming.      

Follow Elizabeth City State Athletics via its official website at: www.ecsuvikings.com to get pre and post-game stories and updates. Like us on Facebook at: ECSU Athletics and follow us on twitter at: @ECSUVikings     

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