ELIZABETH CITY, NC- A solid defensive effort positioned the Vikings to capture a 19-13 win against Livingstone College. The victory gives ECSU a 2-0 start in conference play, 2-3 overall record.
 
The Blue Bears drop to 0-5 on the season, 0-2 in the CIAA.
 
Senior quarterback Kevin Caldwell (Philadelphia, PA) completed 10-out-of-33 passes for 142 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.

For back-to-back consecutive weeks, freshman receiver Cameron Saunders (Charlotte, NC) has led the Vikings in receiving yards; he recorded 85 yards on six catches and a touchdown. 
 
Junior running back Melvin Smalls Jr. (Savannah, GA) rushed for 67 yards on nine touches, scoring his first touchdown of the season.
 
The offense got off to a slow start, but the team still found ways to get their playmakers involved and create scoring opportunities. 
 
Vikings' defense, without a doubt, left their mark on the game. The ECSU secondary has caused chaos in the backfield for their opponents these last two weeks. However, this week it was senior captain defensive back Taeyonn Reynolds (Virginia Beach, VA) wreaking havoc recording eight tackles (7 solo), a tackle for a loss, and two interceptions. Reynolds has been a consistent silent but deadly playmaker for the Vikings defense all year.
 
Junior linebacker Juanya Majette (Hampton, VA) added eight tackles (4 solo), 1.5 tackles for a loss, and 1.5 sacks. Freshman linebacker Diante Isom (Raleigh, NC) followed up, registering seven tackles (6 solo) and an interception.
 
There was only a six-point difference in total yards of offense 296-290 in ECSU's favor, and both teams totaled 15 first downs. However, ECSU scored three touchdowns while the Vikings defense held the Blue Bears to a single touchdown and a successful two-point conversion.
 
The Vikings marched down the field on their opening drive, but a pass picked off by Livingstone's Teyan Williams after ECSU decided to go for it on 4^th and six at the LC 16-yard line gave the Blue Bears possession and some early momentum to start their opening drive.
 
That momentum and opening drive were short-lived. Three plays into the drive, Isom picked off a pass from Miles Hayes to give the Vikings offense a fresh start, but neither team could get going offensively. The Vikings started their final drive of the opening quarter at the 2:59 mark; Caldwell connected with Saunders for a 39-yard reception giving ECSU a 6-0 lead to end the quarter. 
 
Midway through the second quarter, senior receiver Brandon Joyner (Fairbanks, AK) snagged a 30-yard touchdown reception on 1^st and 10 at the LC 30-yard line. The quick single play drive in 15 seconds was just what the Vikings needed, followed by the extra point attempt from freshman James Matheny (Taylorsville, NC) to give ECSU A 13-0 lead. 
 
The Vikings ended the first half with a 19-2 lead after a few rush attempts from Smalls Jr. resulted in an 11-yard touchdown with 4:26 left in the half. Unfortunately, a safety on the Vikings next possession resulted in the score being 19-2 at the half, despite a shutdown performance from the ECSU defense. 
 
Both teams endured a scoreless third quarter, a testament to the defensive play on both sides, but the Blue Bears were not ready to roll over just yet. Livingstone scored quickly on their first drive of the final quarter with a 69-yard dagger to Lasirton Bryant, followed by a successful two-point conversion making the score 19-10 ECSU with plenty of time left to play. 
 
The Vikings didn't re-enter the endzone, but neither did LC. The Blue Bears were held to a field goal with less than four minutes remaining in the game closing the scoring gap to 19-13 but Reynolds stepped up once again for the Vikings defense with a pick on the Blue Bears final play of the game that he ran back for 55-yards before being brought down but standing back up with the win and a storm of Vikings to greet him. 
 
Next Saturday, the Vikings will be on the road at Virginia State University to take on the Trojans. All guests must show proof of vaccination for entry at Rogers Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 6 pm.
 
Follow Elizabeth City State Athletics via its official website at www.ecsuvikings.com to get pre-and post-game stories and updates.
 
ECSU Athletics is also on social media, follow us on Twitter at @ECSUVikings and Instagram at @ecsusports