ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. -- Elizabeth City State (1-4, 1-1 CIAA) returns home to Roebuck Stadium this Saturday to face a surging Virginia Union (4-1, 2-0 CIAA) in what promises to be a clash of styles and strengths. The Vikings, coming off their first win of the season, will look to carry momentum against a Panthers squad riding a three-game winning streak and boasting one of the CIAA's most dynamic rushing attacks. This weekend's theme will be Shades of Pink for October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Elizabeth City State enters this week at 1-4 overall and 1-1 in CIAA play, coming off its first win of the season — a 39-27 home victory over Livingstone in the Viking Showcase. The Vikings' early schedule has been demanding, featuring road losses to Chowan (28-14) and Hampton (27-20), along with setbacks against #23 Johnson C. Smith (21-17) and Fayetteville State (51-8).

Despite the slow start, ECSU showed offensive life against Livingstone, producing season highs in points and total offense while taking advantage of home-field energy at Roebuck Stadium. Head Coach Adrian Jones' team has steadily improved on both sides of the ball, with the offense finding rhythm and the defense generating timely stops. The Vikings will look to carry that momentum into CIAA play as they face a Virginia Union squad ranked among the league's best in scoring and rushing offense.

By the Numbers: Elizabeth City State
Elizabeth City State averages 19.6 points and 287.2 yards of total offense per game, while allowing 30.8 points and 393.4 yards defensively. The Vikings have found better balance in recent weeks, with the offense producing 125.8 rushing yards and 161.4 passing yards per game, totaling 14 touchdowns on the year.

The ground game continues to set the tone, averaging 3.7 yards per carry, while the passing attack has shown growth behind a 6.3 yards per attempt average and six touchdown passes against four interceptions.

Defensively, ECSU has created five takeaways (three interceptions, two fumbles) and notched seven sacks, led by a front that's improved against the run and shown flashes of backfield disruption. The Vikings are also a disciplined group, committing fewer penalties (68.0 yards per game) than their opponents and showing solid special teams execution with a 34.2 net punting average.

While opponents have converted 50% of their third downs, ECSU's offense has been aggressive on fourth down — succeeding on 6-of-12 tries (50%) — and has scored on 67% of red-zone opportunities. The Vikings' ability to sustain drives and finish in the red zone will be key heading into their matchup with a Virginia Union defense that thrives on pressure.

Top Rushers – Christopher Perkins & Traquan Johnson (ECSU)
Christopher Perkins and Traquan Johnson have powered the Vikings' ground game through the first five contests. Perkins leads the team with 257 rushing yards on 58 carries and a team-best 4.4 yards per attempt, finding the end zone three times, including a season-long 73-yard touchdown run that showcased his breakaway speed.

Right alongside him, Traquan Johnson has been ECSU's workhorse, logging 75 carries for 256 yards and three scores, averaging 51.2 yards per game. Johnson's physical running style and consistency between the tackles have complemented Perkins' big-play ability, giving the Vikings a balanced one-two punch in the backfield.

Top Passer – Christopher Perkins (QB, ECSU)
Senior quarterback Christopher Perkins leads the Vikings' aerial attack, combining efficiency with playmaking ability. Over five games, Perkins has completed 73 of 120 passes (60.8%) for 794 yards and six touchdowns, while throwing just two interceptions. Averaging 158.8 passing yards per game with a season-long 91-yard completion, Perkins has been the centerpiece of ECSU's offense, contributing both in the air and on the ground as a dual-threat playmaker.

Top Receivers – Ka'Trez Bracey & Troy Smith (ECSU)
Ka'Trez Bracey leads the Vikings in the passing game with 11 receptions for 193 yards and one touchdown, averaging an impressive 17.6 yards per catch. Bracey has been a deep threat all season, including a 91-yard touchdown reception that highlights his big-play ability and explosive speed.

Troy Smith is ECSU's most consistent possession target, hauling in 12 catches for 129 yards and a touchdown, averaging 10.8 yards per reception. Smith's reliability in the short-to-intermediate game has made him a frequent go-to option for QB Christopher Perkins.

Other key contributors include EJ Gatling (12 catches, 123 yards), Terrance Holland (18 catches, 120 yards, 1 TD), and Shamar Sutton (9 catches, 115 yards, 1 TD), giving ECSU a balanced receiving corps that can stretch the field and make plays in multiple ways.

Defensive Leader – Sir'Sean Ingram (DL, ECSU)
Defensive lineman Sir'Sean Ingram anchors Elizabeth City State's pass rush, leading the team with 2.0 sacks for 6 yards. Through four games, Ingram has compiled 9 total tackles, including 2 tackles for loss, while adding pressure that has helped keep opposing offenses in check. His ability to disrupt the backfield will be critical against Virginia Union's powerful rushing attack.

Top Tacklers – Jaevon Branch, TreShaun Harris, Chris Calhoun, Sterling Chavis & Dashaun Grant (ECSU)

• Jaevon Branch leads the Vikings with 36 total tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack, making him a disruptive force in the backfield.
• TreShaun Harris also has 36 total tackles, contributing 1.5 tackles for loss and providing solid run support across all four games.
• Chris Calhoun has been a reliable presence with 35 tackles, adding two quarterback hurries to his defensive contributions.
• Sterling Chavis adds 30 tackles, including two interceptions and a tackle for loss, showing a knack for making plays in coverage.
• Dashaun Grant rounds out the group with 25 tackles, offering steady run defense and support in the middle of the field.

This group forms the backbone of ECSU's defense, which will need to slow Virginia Union's powerful rushing attack to give the Vikings a chance in their upcoming matchup.

Scouting the Panthers:
Virginia Union enters this week riding a three-game winning streak and sitting at 4-1 overall, including a perfect 2-0 start in CIAA play. The Panthers have shown one of the league's most explosive offenses, averaging over 40 points per game during their recent stretch. After opening the season with a dominant 45-3 victory over Miles College, VUU's lone setback came in a narrow 41-38 road loss to Edward Waters. Since then, they've rebounded with wins over Johnson C. Smith (28-10), Shaw (59-7), and Winston-Salem State (44-34). Head Coach Alvin Parker's squad has proven balanced and resilient, finding ways to win both in high-scoring battles and defensive showings.
 
By the Numbers: Virginia Union (4–1, 2–0 CIAA)
Virginia Union's offense has been one of the most productive in the CIAA, averaging 42.8 points and 494.2 yards per game while holding opponents to just 19.0 points and 329.4 yards. The Panthers do most of their damage on the ground, rushing for 338.0 yards per game and 21 touchdowns behind a dominant offensive line.
 
Quarterback efficiency complements that rushing attack, with VUU averaging 156.2 passing yards per game and 9.08 yards per attempt, producing seven scores through the air against just three interceptions.
Defensively, the Panthers are stout against the run, allowing only 107.8 rushing yards per game and recording 15 sacks on the year. They've forced 11 total turnovers (seven fumbles, four interceptions) while holding opponents to a 34% third-down conversion rate.

On special teams, Virginia Union has been efficient, converting all 29 PATs and all three field goal attempts, while averaging nearly 24 yards per kickoff return and 20.8 yards per punt return.
The Panthers also show strong situational execution—scoring on 92% of red zone trips (19 TDs, 3 FGs) and dominating time of possession by nearly four minutes per game.
 
Player Spotlights – Curtis Allen (RB, Virginia Union)
Senior running back Curtis Allen has been the driving force behind Virginia Union's high-powered offense. Through five games, Allen leads the CIAA with 987 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 8.6 yards per carry and 197.4 yards per game. A big-play threat every time he touches the ball, his longest run this season went for 65 yards, and he's topped the 100-yard mark in every contest. Allen's production has been central to the Panthers' balanced attack and three-game win streak.
 
RJ Rosales (QB, Virginia Union)
Quarterback RJ Rosales has efficiently guided the Panthers' offense, providing balance to their explosive ground game. Through five games, Rosales has completed 43 of 78 passes (55.1%) for 666 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 133.2 yards per game with a 140.3 passer rating. A composed decision-maker, he's thrown just three interceptions while showing the ability to stretch the field — including a 55-yard long completion that highlights his deep-ball capability.
 
Top Targets – Keon Davis & Ricky Key Jr. (WRs, Virginia Union)
 
Keon Davis has emerged as Virginia Union's top receiving option, leading the Panthers with 14 receptions for 277 yards and two touchdowns through five games. Averaging 19.8 yards per catch, Davis is a reliable big-play target who consistently stretches the field, with a season-long grab of 48 yards.
 
Alongside him, Ricky Key Jr. provides another vertical threat, totaling 7 catches for 116 yards across four games. Key averages 16.6 yards per reception and brings dependable hands in the intermediate and deep passing game, giving quarterback RJ Rosales multiple options to attack downfield.
 
Defensive Leader – Kamari Federick (DL, Virginia Union)
Defensive lineman Kamari Federick anchors the Panthers' front with disruptive play up front. In four games, he's posted 11 total tackles, including 5.0 tackles for loss and a team-high 2.5 sacks for 40 yards. Federick's ability to pressure the quarterback and collapse pockets has been a key factor in Virginia Union's defensive success against the run and pass.
 
Top Tacklers – Ahmad Ross, Christian Aiken & Zachary Weaver (Virginia Union)
Ahmad Ross leads the Panthers' defense with 26 total tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks, showing strong pursuit and backfield penetration from his linebacker spot. Right behind him is Christian Aiken, who's recorded 24 tackles and 1.5 sacks, providing steady production and physicality in the middle of the field. Zachary Weaver rounds out the top trio with 19 tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss, adding versatility and pressure off the edge. Together, the group sets the tone for a defense allowing just 19.0 points per game through five contests.

Up Next For ECSU
Up next for the Elizabeth City State football team is a road matchup at Virginia State University on Saturday, October 18, at 2:00 p.m. in CIAA play. The Vikings will travel to Petersburg, Va., looking to build on their performance against Virginia Union as they aim to improve their record and keep momentum in the conference.