N.C. Central 13, Elizabeth City State 3

This week, as NCCU journeyed east to Kinston, NC to face Elizabeth City State University, the tides turned. The Vikings amassed 230 total yards to the Eagles' 217, but ECSU fumbled away the pigskin four times in a 13-3 defeat to NCCU in the "Eagles in the East" football classic at Kinston High School's Viking Field.

The tide turned on the opening possession of the game. ECSU steadily moved down the field with a 12-play, 75-yard drive to the Eagles' 5-yard line. Seeming ready to strike for their first score in three contests, the Vikings fumbled on their 13th play and NCCU defender Jason Brown pounced on the loose ball.

The Eagles took advantage by driving 72 yards in 9 plays, 55 of those yards courtesy of a James Taylor pass reception, to set up rookie kicker Brian Burke for a 30-yard field goal. The successful boot at 6:46 marked the first time NCCU has scored in the first quarter this season. Until then, the Eagles had been outscored 43-0 during the first 15 minutes of play.

NCCU pushed the lead to 10-0 when junior quarterback Lawrence Fuller ran for a 3-yard touchdown to wrap up the opening drive of the second quarter with 10:55 on the clock.

The turnover bug then bit the Eagles. With just 35 ticks left in the first half, NCCU running back Donnie Pippen was hit by Viking linebacker Sean Wilkes, forcing a fumble that was returned by ECSU's Howard Williams to the NCCU 31-yard line. The Vikings marched to the 4-yard line before settling for a 21-yard field goal with 3 seconds in the half.

Whatever momentum ECSU may have gained by scoring their first points in three games, they quickly lost. The Vikings fumbled on their first two possessions of the second half, the first leading to Burke's second field goal of the game from 24 yards out.

ECSU managed just 27 second-half yards and never crossed mid-field after the intermission.

Pippen finished with a game-high 97 rushing yards on 22 carries for the Eagles, earning Offensive Player of the Game honors. Fuller completed 5-of-11 pass attempts for 90 yards.

The NCCU defense was topped by linebacker Bobby Brown with 8 tackles (6 solo). Fellow linebacker Antwan Lyons chipped in 6 takedowns, including a sack and a pass break-up. Sophomore lineman Scheldon Connor recorded 2 sacks for the Eagles (2-2, 0-1 CIAA).

ECSU (0-4, 0-3 CIAA) was charged by the play of linebacker Sean Wilkes, who took home Defensive Player of the Game honors after amassing 14 tackles, including 3 hits for a loss. Rookie quarterback Donald Norman threw for 138 yards on 15-of-29 passing to pace the Viking offense. Junior General Barrett was on the receiving end of 6 passes for 83 yards. ECSU running back Carlos Smith pounded out 62 ground yards on 10 carries.

NOTE: This was a designated non-conference game for NCCU.

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