ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. -- The Elizabeth City State University Vikings return to the field this weekend looking to bounce back as they travel to Ettrick, Virginia, to face the Virginia State Trojans in CIAA action on Saturday afternoon. ECSU (1-5, 1-2 CIAA) aims to regroup after last week's setback at Virginia Union, while VSU (3-3, 1-2 CIAA) enters the matchup riding momentum from a hard-fought road win over Bowie State. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Rogers Stadium.
Last Time Out for ECSU
Elizabeth City State came up short in a 37-18 loss vs. Virginia Union on October 11 at Roebuck Stadium. The Vikings traded blows with the Panthers through three quarters before VUU pulled away late behind a balanced offensive attack.
Quarterback Christopher Perkins led ECSU with 83 passing yards, two touchdown passes, and added 49 rushing yards. Both of his scoring tosses came in the first half — an 8-yard strike and a 16-yard connection — keeping the Vikings within reach at halftime. D'Andre Tolson provided a defensive highlight with a 28-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter that cut the deficit to 21-18.
Scouting the Vikings
Quarterback Christopher Perkins continues to lead the Vikings' offense with steady production under center. The sophomore has completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 877 yards and eight touchdowns through six games, posting a 130.2 passer rating. Perkins has shown the ability to stretch the field with a long completion of 91 yards, while also protecting the football with just two interceptions on 136 attempts. His composure and efficiency make him a key piece in ECSU's offensive rhythm heading into this week's matchup with Virginia State.
Receiving Leaders
The Vikings' passing attack is paced by Ka'Trez Bracey, who leads ECSU with 222 yards and two touchdowns on 13 catches, including a long reception of 91 yards. EJ Gatling and Troy Smith provide steady options, combining for 298 yards and one touchdown, while Terrance Holland and Shamar Sutton add depth and big-play ability in the slot and outside. Bracey's explosiveness and the balanced contributions from the receiving corps give quarterback Christopher Perkins multiple targets, helping the Vikings maintain a dynamic and versatile passing attack.
On the Ground
The Vikings' rushing attack is led by Traquan Johnson and quarterback Christopher Perkins, providing a balanced threat on the ground. Johnson has carried the ball 87 times for 305 net yards and three touchdowns, averaging 3.5 yards per carry. Perkins has also been a key contributor with 262 net rushing yards and three scores on 68 attempts, highlighted by a long run of 73 yards.
Ameil Braswell adds depth in the backfield, contributing 73 yards and a touchdown on limited touches. Together, the trio gives ECSU a versatile rushing attack capable of keeping defenses off balance while complementing the team's passing game.
Defensive Leaders
Elizabeth City State's defense is anchored by a group of playmakers who have been active both against the run and in pass coverage. Chris Calhoun leads the team with 46 total tackles, while TreShaun Harris adds 42 stops and a team-high 1.5 tackles for loss.
Linebacker Jaevon Branch has been disruptive in the backfield, recording 5.5 tackles for loss and a sack, and Sir'Sean Ingram contributes with 3.0 tackles for loss and two sacks, helping the Vikings maintain pressure on opposing quarterbacks. In the secondary, Sterling Chavis and D'Andre Tolson have combined for three interceptions and four pass breakups, providing ECSU with playmaking ability in the passing game.
Last Time Out for Virginia State
Virginia State picked up a key conference victory on the road, edging Bowie State 28-21 on October 11 to even its record at 3-3 overall and 1-2 in CIAA play. The Trojans built an early lead and held off a late Bulldog rally to snap a two-game conference skid.
The win continued VSU's strong play away from home — improving to 3-2 on the road this season. The Trojans have battled through a challenging early slate that included an overtime loss to Division I Norfolk State and a one-point thriller over Winston-Salem State. Virginia State now returns home to Rogers Stadium for the first time since October 4.
Scouting the Trojans
The Trojans' offense runs through junior quarterback Rahsaan Matthews Jr., one of the CIAA's most productive signal-callers. Matthews has passed for 1,557 yards and 13 touchdowns through six games, completing nearly 60 percent of his throws while averaging 259.5 yards per game. A confident passer with an 80-yard long completion on the year, Matthews brings both poise and explosiveness to the Virginia State attack.
His top targets include Malik Hunter and Jaylen Pretlow, who have been a reliable one-two punch in the receiving corps. Hunter leads the team with 28 catches for 349 yards and three touchdowns, while Pretlow provides a deep threat, averaging 14.4 yards per reception and matching Hunter with three scores. Kevin Gayles and Vincent Ordenes add depth to the passing game, combining for over 440 yards and another touchdown. Together, the group has helped fuel one of the CIAA's more balanced and efficient aerial offenses.
On the Ground
Virginia State complements its passing attack with a balanced ground game led by quarterback Rahsaan Matthews Jr. and running backs Brandon Rose and Ri'Jon Hammond. Matthews is a true dual threat, ranking among the team's top rushers with 286 yards and three touchdowns on 72 carries, averaging 4.0 yards per attempt.
Brandon Rose has been the Trojans' most efficient back, averaging 5.0 yards per carry and a team-best 55.0 rushing yards per game, finding the end zone twice this season. Ri'Jon Hammond provides another steady option in the backfield, contributing 201 yards and two touchdowns across six games. Together, the trio has helped VSU maintain offensive balance, keeping defenses honest with consistent production both through the air and on the ground.
Defensive Leaders
Virginia State's defense has shown strong playmaking ability across all levels, led by Mehkhi Johnson, who paces the unit with 39 total tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss through six games. Linebacker Cameron Davis has been equally disruptive, tallying 32 stops, including a team-best 5.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks, while also forcing a fumble.
In the secondary, Donavan Howard has emerged as a key ballhawk, leading the Trojans with two interceptions and three pass breakups, while KJ McNeil and Dante Clark have also contributed takeaways to a defense that thrives on pressure and timely turnovers. Up front, Kofi Acheampong and Mustapha Coly anchor the defensive line, combining for six tackles for loss and five sacks, giving VSU a consistent push against opposing quarterbacks.
Up Next for ECSU
The Vikings return to CIAA action this Saturday, October 25, traveling to Lincoln University in Pennsylvania for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff. ECSU will look to build on recent efforts as they face the Lions on the road.
