ROCKY MOUNT, NC- The Elizabeth City State University Football team fell to the Broncos of Fayetteville State University 47-6, in the 24^th Annual Down East Viking Football Classic at the Rocky Mount Athletic Stadium on Saturday.
 
The highly anticipated Down East Viking Football Classic weekend was full of events that gathered ECSU alumni, fans, and guests to the city of Rocky Mount, NC anticipating Saturday's big game. 
 
Vikings split quarterback duties amongst senior DeAbrie Smith (Palatka, FL) and senior Kevin Caldwell (Philadelphia, PA). Caldwell completed 7 of 14 passes totaling 60 yards and a touchdown. Smith completed 7 of 12 passes totaling 45 yards with one interception. 
 
The Vikings were offensively led by junior Ruth Wynton (Little Rock, AZ) collecting 39 yards on three rush attempts. The Fayetteville State defense held the Vikings offense to 105 yards total.

Junior receiver/kick returner Zion Riddick (Ahoskie, NC) returned five kickoffs for 137 yards.
 
The Vikings defense was spearheaded by sophomore linebacker Erick Meija who led the game in tackles with 12 total (6 solo) and a forced fumble. Senior defensive back Taeyonn Reynolds (Virginia Beach, VA) provided a critical defensive presence for the Vikings finishing the game with seven solo tackles, two forced fumbles, and an interception. 
 
The Broncos scored on their first two drives of the game and a safety resulting from a punt attempt gave the Broncos a 15-0 lead at the end of the opening quarter. 
 
The Broncos opened the second quarter with a 64-yard drive resulting in a touchdown on 2^nd and goal at the ECSU three-yard line. 
 
ECSU struggled to get things going offensively. A forced fumble by Reynolds on the next FSU possession recovered by freshman defensive back Khalil Turner (Charlotte, NC) gave the Vikings offense another shot with 11:05 remaining in the first half trailing the Broncos 22-0.
 
The Vikings went into the half trailing the Broncos 28-0.
 
The ECSU defense came out of the half on fire and looking to slow down a tough Bronco's offensive unit that had been dominating the day. 
 
Reynolds intercepted a pass from Khari Lane at the Bronco's 47-yard line on 3^rd and 16 to swing the momentum in the Vikings favor starting the third quarter. Caldwell connected with freshman receiver Cameron Saunders (Charlotte, NC) for a 20-yard reception to start the drive. 
The Vikings marched downfield making a gutsy call on 4^th and 11 to go for it at the FSU 15. Caldwell was able to find junior receiver Zion Riddick to complete the 15-yard reception for a touchdown. 
 
Despite some big plays from the Vikings defense, the Vikings went into the final stanza trailing the Broncos 37-6. 
 
Once again Fayetteville opened the quarter with a touchdown drive for 81 yards in nine plays and added a field goal on their second drive making the score 47-6 with 3:23 left in the game.
 
A huge 61-yard kick return from Riddick gave the Vikings great field position to start their final drive of the game at the FSU 32-yard line, but a fumble by freshman quarterback Noah Douglas (Wake Forest, NC) gave the Broncos the ball back to end the game.
 
The Vikings will be back in action on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at Roebuck Stadium to host Bluefield State College at 1:30 pm. It will be Military Appreciation Day at Roebuck Stadium, all military members with an active military ID will receive free entry.
 
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