Monday, October 11, 2010

October 2010 - ECSU SQUEEZES BY VIRGINIA UNION 17-14

ECSU SQUEEZES BY VIRGINIA UNION 17-14

McNeill Has Career Outing as Vikings Hold On For Three Point Win

October 9, 2010

ELIZABETH CITY, NC - Sophomore running back Daronte McNeill posted career highs in carries and yards as the Elizabeth City State University Vikings held on for a 17-14 win over Virginia Union University Saturday afternoon at Roebuck Stadium.

McNeill set new personal bests with 39 carries for 161 yards and a touchdown. As a team the Vikings lived on the ground Saturday with 56 carries for 212 yards.

After a scoreless opening quarter, the Panthers drew first blood, capitalizing on a fumble recovery at the ECSU 27 yard line and 6 plays later look a 7-0 lead with 13:40 to go in the first half. The Vikings responded on their ensuing possession with an 11-play, 68-yard drive when Creven Powell connected with Marquis Harper for a 6-yard TD pass and a 7-7 tie. ECSU took a 14-7 lead on a 1-yard rushing touchdown with 3:38 left in the second quarter.

ECSU held the 14-7 advantage at the break however the game was stalled for a while in the waning minutes of the first half when Powell was sacked by VUU’s Zach Hope. The Viking quarterback was temporarily out, but was conscious when he taken by ambulance away from field by EMT personnel.

Virginia Union (1-5, CIAA 1-3) tied the game at 14 apiece with 8:42 left in the third quarter on a 13-yard run by Tarian Donaldson. The Vikings pulled ahead on their ensuing drive when a 14-play 56-drive yielded a 34-yard field goal by Devon Pike.

Clinging to the three point lead the Vikings took possession on their own 31 with 6:05 remaining in the game. Backup QB Dominic Strand orchestrated an 11-play drive all the way to the VUU 2 yard line. Facing 3rd and 1 a bad exchange between center and QB resulted in a fumble, although recovered by the Vikings, it backed them up to the Panther 6 yard line. Kevin Swain carried the ball for a gain of a yard on 4th down, pinning the Panthers deep with no timeouts and 27 seconds remaining. VUU moved the ball to their 28 but Dominique Kimbrough sacked quarterback Aris McGlone-English as regulation expired.

The Virginia Union ground game kept ECSU off balance most of the afternoon. While no Panther back surpassed 100 yards on the day, by committee they racked up 246 yards, the most the Viking defense has surrendered this season.

The Vikings (4-2, CIAA 3-0) will have a quick turnaround when they travel to take on Virginia State University on Thursday for an 8:00 pm kickoff in Petersburg, VA. For more information on ECSU Athletics, visit www.ecsuvikings.com.

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