RALEIGH, N.C. – The Elizabeth City State University football team rode a balanced offensive attack to a 27-17 victory over the homestanding St. Augustine's University Falcons on Saturday afternoon in CIAA action.

ECSU connected for two of their touchdowns, and 130 yards, through the air and rushed for 113, and a touchdown, in the victory. The win marks the first CIAA win since October 14, 2017 and the first conference road win since October 15, 2016.
 
The Vikings (1-4, 1-1 CIAA) jumped out to a 20-0 advantage at the end of the first quarter after forcing three SAU turnovers and converting those three turnovers to 14 points. Throughout the contest, ECSU forced five St. Augustine's turnovers.
 
ECSU started the scoring off with Kedrick Patterson connecting on his first of two touchdown passes, this one to Brandon Joyner from 11 yards out at the 8:54 mark of the first quarter. Patterson followed that up with a 33-yard touchdown connection to Dajuan Greene with 3:33 left in the quarter. Patterson finished the ECSU scoring in the first quarter with a one yard scramble to make the score 20-0.
 
St. Augustine's responded with 17 unanswered points over the second, third and fourth quarters. The Falcons eventually drew to within three, 20-17, following a 37-yard touchdown pass with 7:18 left in the fourth quarter.
 
The Vikings then embarked on an 11-play, 38-yard touchdown drive that ate up nearly seven minutes of game clock. That drive was capped by a Deshon Saunders 5-yard rush to push the score to the final margin, 27-17.
 
High Performers for the Vikings
Passing – Kedrick Patterson
Patterson completed 14-of-31 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns. The sophomore quarterback also collected 48 yards rushing on the afternoon.
 
Rushing – Deshon Saunders
The senior running back found his form against the Falcons, garnering a majority of the carries for the Vikings (23). Saunders rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown in arguably his best outing in 2019.
 
Receiving – Dajuan Greene
The senior wide receiver continued his hot streak as he caught seven receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown. Greene hauled in the longest pass of the afternoon in his 33-yard touchdown reception. Over the past two games, Greene has caught 14 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns.
 
Defense – Lawrence Brown and Taeyonn Reynolds
Brown led the defensive effort for the Vikings with seven tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and recorded a half sack, in his best outing in a Viking uniform this season. Reynolds recorded two tackles, but most importantly recorded two interceptions and returned the two interceptions for 13 yards.
 
Next Up
The Vikings will finally make their home debut as they will welcome Virginia State to Roebuck Stadium on Saturday, October 12. October 12^th marks the latest home opener in ECSU history. The Vikings were supposed to have their home opener on September 7^th against Allen, however, due to Hurricane Dorian the game was postponed.