ECSU VIKINGS FALL TO SAINT PAUL’S COLLEGE 14-7
Costly Turnovers Gives ECSU Its Second CIAA Loss of 2007
April Emory
October 27, 2007

LAWRENCEVILLE, VA- The Elizabeth City State University Vikings had their four-game win streak snapped at the hands of the Saint Paul’s College Tigers 14-7 Saturday afternoon at Russell Field.

The Vikings committed a dismal 5 turnovers, the first of which, a 56-yard fumble recovery returned for a score, resulted in the Tigers drawing first blood with a 7-0 lead with 9:08 to go in the 1^st quarter. After stalling Saint Paul’s on their first possession the Vikings again fumbled away their ensuing drive, which the Tigers recovered on the ECSU 17-yard line. Six plays and 14 yards later, the Blue Swarm defense slammed the door on any means of the Tigers capitalizing on the turnover by taking over on downs after consecutive tackles for loss ended Saint Paul’s drive on the Viking 3-yard line.

The game remained 7-0 in favor Saint Paul’s until a 2-yard touchdown run by Joel McClenney knotted the score with 1:39 to go in the 3^rd quarter. The Tigers (4-5, CIAA 3-3) answered right back on their ensuing possession with a 10 play 61 yard drive for the final span of 14-7. The Vikings had three opportunities over their final three possessions to tie the game yet each ended with a turnover (2 interceptions and a fumbled punt return) propelling the Tigers to their third straight win.

For the Vikings (4-5, CIAA 4-2) it may be described as a game of missed opportunities as on seven different occasions they found themselves in Tiger territory and were a combined 3-for-16 on both 3^rd and 4^th downs. Offensively ECSU never got on track Saturday netting only 88 total yards on 55 plays from scrimmage although they nearly doubled the Tigers’ output in first downs 11 to 6.

The Vikings close out the regular season on Saturday, November 3^rd as they will play host to Bowie State University for “Senior Day” 2007. ECSU will need a win over the Bulldogs plus a Fayetteville State victory over Virginia Union next week in order to earn their second consecutive berth in the CIAA Championship game. ECSU and Bowie State kickoff at 1:00pm in Elizabeth City, NC while the Broncos and Panthers will clash at 1:30pm in Fayetteville, NC. For more information on ECSU Athletics, visit www.ecsuvikings.com.                                                            

April J. Emory