ELIZABETH CITY, NC -- Elizabeth City State University closed out the season in dominant fashion with a 70–30 win over Bluefield State, delivering for the seniors on Senior Day and putting on a show in front of a packed house at Roebuck Stadium for ECSU Homecoming.
The Vikings wasted no time setting the tone, as
Shamar Sutton opened the game with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown just 14 seconds into the first quarter. From there, ECSU's offense and defense took complete control.
Traquan Johnson had a career day, rushing for 192 yards and five touchdowns while adding a 37-yard reception. Quarterback
Christopher Perkins contributed through the air and on the ground, including a 38-yard touchdown run and a 54-yard touchdown pass to
Troy Smith.
The defense was equally dominant, forcing multiple turnovers and scoring twice before halftime.
Chris Calhoun returned an interception 15 yards for a touchdown, and
Solomon Ford capped the first half with a 100-yard pick-six as ECSU built a commanding 42–0 lead at the break.
Behind a powerful offensive line led by
Toriono Combs, the Vikings piled up 568 total yards, including 309 rushing yards on 8.4 yards per carry and six rushing touchdowns, while not allowing a single sack.
Bluefield State managed to find the end zone in the second half, but ECSU's early outburst and relentless execution kept the game firmly in hand. The win showcased the Vikings' balance, explosiveness, and resilience, sending them out of the regular season on a high note.
Team Comparison: Elizabeth City State vs. Bluefield State
Elizabeth City State University dominated on both sides of the ball in their 70–30 victory over Bluefield State, showcasing a balanced and explosive offensive attack while controlling the tempo throughout the game.The Vikings gained 25 first downs compared to BSU's 21, using a powerful rushing attack to wear down the defense.
ECSU rushed 37 times for 309 yards, averaging 8.4 yards per carry and scoring six rushing touchdowns, while BSU managed just 113 yards on 29 attempts and one rushing score, losing 24 yards on the ground in the process.
Through the air, ECSU rotated between QB's Chris Perkins and Navian Hillard, collectively completing 13 of 18 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception. BSU, meanwhile, completed 15 of 34 attempts for 221 yards, throwing three interceptions that swung momentum in the Vikings' favor. ECSU's ability to combine explosive plays in the passing game with a dominant ground attack created sustained drives and scoring opportunities that BSU could not match.
Overall, ECSU's performance reflected a well-rounded offensive strategy, complemented by opportunistic defense and special teams. The preparation for players and coaches led to big plays in all phases of the game, ultimately leading to a decisive victory over the visiting Big Blue.
What's Next for ECSU?
With the win, ECSU secured their best conference record since 2013, when the Viking's also went 4-3 in CIAA play. ECSU's 4-6 overall record is the best since 2017. It may be just a minor improvement, but impressive nevertheless with a first-year head coach. Coach Adrian Jones and his staff did an excellent job coming in with a roster mixed with both experienced seniors and young playmakers. Many underclassmen that were impact players are poised to return, with higher expectations for year two of the Coach Jones era.
