ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Elizabeth City State University Vikings dropped their home opener at Roebuck against Bluefield State College 35-27. After having an explosive first quarter, the Vikings struggled to put points on the scoreboard for the remainder of the contest.
 
The Vikings fall to 0-2 overall on the season. Bluefield State College improved to 1-1.
 
ECSU combined for 385 yards of total offense to Bluefield State's 347 yards. Still, the Big Blue offense had more time on the field with 83 plays against the Vikings 58 plays. 13 penalties accounting for 137 yards ailed the Vikings throughout the game, despite ECSU amassing more rushing (126-115) and passing (259-232) yards than Bluefield State. 
 
Offensively the Vikings fourth-quarter struggles kept the defense on the field after the first two drives resulted in untimely interceptions.
 
Senior quarterbacks De'Abrie Smith (Palatka, Fl) and Kevin Caldwell (Philadelphia, PA) split the quarterback duties. Smith has started for the Vikings for consecutive weeks; he completed 14-of-27 passes for 185 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Caldwell completed 5-of-10 passes totaling 74 yards and one interception.
 
Junior receiver Zion Riddick (Ahoskie, NC) led the Vikings offense with 91-yards on eight receptions and a touchdown. He also added 109 yards on five kick returns. Junior running back Ruth Wynton (Little Rock, AK) led the ground attack with 71 yards on six attempts.
 
Sophomore linebacker Erick Meija (Alexandria, VA) has led the Vikings in tackles for consecutive weeks totaling nine tackles (7 solo) against Bluefield. Meija currently is second in the CIAA in tackles after Week two. 
 
The Vikings came out on fire and appeared to be a completely different team than last week, controlling the momentum in the opening quarter. Bluefield's first drive of the game resulted in a punt on 4^th and 11 that was returned 36-yards by freshman receiver Josiah Hayes (Suffolk, VA) to give the Vikings a 7-0 lead early.
 
Next possession, the Vikings marched down the field effortlessly, capping the six-play 65-yard drive off with a seven-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Riddick.
 
The Viking defense left its mark on the first quarter after a fumble recovery by freshman defensive back Kaezahn Johnson (Norfolk, VA) was returned for 25-yards to give the Vikings a comfortable 21-0 lead. 
 
Bluefield matched the Viking's 21 unanswered points in the second quarter. The Vikings were held to a single touchdown after the opening quarter, coming in the third stanza. Smith connected with senior receiver Brandon Joyner (Fairbanks, AK) for a career-long 80-yard reception to take a 27-21 lead with under five minutes left in the third quarter.
 
The Vikings defense held off Big blue in the red zone to open the fourth quarter, but an interception on ECSU's opening drive gave Bluefield State the ball back at the Vikings one-yard line. Bluefield took advantage of the series and took their first lead of the game 28-27, with 10:42 remaining in the game. 
 
Miscues continued to hurt the Vikings as Bluefield added another touchdown around the five-minute mark to secure the 35-27 victory.
 
Next Saturday, the Vikings will be back in action, traveling to Division I Norfolk State University to take on the Spartans at William Dick Price Field at 6 p.m.
 
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