VIKINGS FUMBLE AWAY VICTORY TO BOWIE STATE 37-33

VIKINGS FUMBLE AWAY VICTORY TO BOWIE STATE 37-33
Bulldogs’ Late Surge Overcomes Ten Point Deficit in Final Eight Minutes to Stun ECSU at Home

October 10, 2009

ELIZABETH CITY, NC - Bowie State University’s Terence Peete returned a 33-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown with 4:12 remaining to propel the Bulldogs to a 37-33 win at Roebuck Stadium.

That score gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the afternoon and with the win they remain atop the CIAA East at 5-2 overall and a perfect 4-0 in conference play.

The Vikings had a chance to go in for the winning score but Peete foiled their hopes as he picked off a Creven Powell pass in the end zone with 1:52 remaining.

BSU entered the contest boasting the best offense in the CIAA as well as the league’s top rusher in Rodney Webb. ECSU held the Bulldogs to 262 yards of total offense and surrendered only 57 net yards on the ground to Webb. Unfortunately ECSU lost 3 of 5 fumbles all of which came in the second half during the Bulldogs’ rally. The Vikings were also penalized 12 times for 100 yards. Defensively the Vikings were paced by Tolbert Matthews who finished with a game high 9 tackles. On the afternoon ECSU dropped Bulldogs quarterbacks Emmanuel Yeager and Andre Johnson a combined 5 times.

The Vikings offense did recapture their rhythm on Saturday, rolling up 461 yards while Powell passed for career high 314 yards and two touchdowns.

ECSU went up 20-0 early in the opening period before the Bulldogs got on the scoreboard via an 84-yard kickoff return for a score by James Proctor with 4 seconds remaining in the 1st. Powell added a rushing score (failed extra point) for the 26-7 halftime score.

Ranier Rackley padded the score with a 2-yard rushing touchdown putting the Vikings ahead, 33-17 with 10:15 remaining. Then just as the Vikings outscored BSU 20-7 in the first quarter, the Bulldogs turned the tables scoring 20 un-answered to take the game.

The Vikings (4-3, CIAA 2-2) will host their final home game against Lincoln University for Homecoming 2009 at Roebuck Stadium next Saturday, October 17th. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 pm. For more information on ECSU Athletics, visit www.ecsuvikings.com.