N.C. Central 31, Elizabeth City State 21

(Rocky Mount, NC -- Sept. 22, 2001) North Carolina Central University amassed 496 yards of total offense, including 351 yards rushing, to defeat Elizabeth City State 31-21 in the third annual Down East Classic in Rocky Mount, NC.

Eagle running backs Cheo Johnson and Donnie Pippen each recorded career-highs on the ground. Johnson ran 17 times for a career-high 129 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown scamper, while Pippen totaled 111 yards on 22 carries.

As a team, NCCU (2-1, 1-0 CIAA) chewed up the clock by running the ball 67 times for 351 yards and three touchdowns. The Eagles also found success through the air, completing 8-of-13 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown.

A crowd of 6,123 packed the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex to see the Eagles control the pigskin for 42 minutes, 23 seconds, while the Vikings were on offense for just 17:37. ECSU, however, took advantage of four fumbles and 112 NCCU penalty yards to stay in the contest.

ECSU (0-4, 0-3 CIAA) was topped by quarterback Michael Forbes, who completed 15-of-28 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Viking receiver Monterio Hand was on the other end of eight passes for 71 yards. It was Hassan Jones, however, who found the end zone on both of his receptions (38 yds and 9 yds).

On the Eagles' first possession, Vinshawn Jacobs ran for a two-yard touchdown to cap a 13 play, 67 yard drive that took 7:12 off the game clock. Jamal Molden's extra point kick gave NCCU a 7-0 lead at 4:26 of the first quarter.

Elizabeth City State tied the game at 9:59 of the second quarter courtesy of a strange, yet familiar, defensive effort. Facing second down and 10 yards to go at his own 43 yard line, freshman quarterback Sean Williams lost the football after a hit by defensive end Terrell Hamer. The fumble was recovered by RaShawn Spencer at the Eagle 34 yard line and returned 29 yards to the five yard line, where Spencer was hit by Eagle receiver Ryan Walden causing a fumble. Viking defensive back Shawn Smoot then scooped up the ball and took it the remaining five yards into the end zone. The play looked familiar to both NCCU and ECSU fans because a similar sequence occurred in last year's meeting following a blocked field goal attempt. That play resulted in the game-winning score for the Vikings.

NCCU took a 13-7 advantage to the locker room after Johnson's 38-yard touchdown run at 6:33 of the second quarter. The extra point kick by Molden was blocked.

On the first possession of the third quarter, the Eagles drove 73 yards on 13 plays in 7:19 to score on a nine-yard reception to Clyde Price from quarterback Lamont Alston. Johnson ran for the two-point conversion to make the score 21-7.

ECSU came to within eight points after Jones' 38 yard touchdown reception at 7:21 of the third, but it was as close as the Vikings would get to the Eagles.

Molden booted a 26-yard field goal with 56 seconds left in the third stanza, and Alston rushed for a 10-yard touchdown at 12:40 of the fourth quarter to provide a 31-13 cushion.

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