MURFREESBORO, North Carolina -- It took an extra quarter and a fourth down turnover however Elizabeth City State University held on to defeat Chowan University 37-31 in overtime Saturday afternoon at Garrison Stadium. After the first half combined for 13 points (ECSU led 10-3 at the intermission), the teams scored 49 points over the 3rd and 4th quarters for 31-31 tie at the end of regulation.
The Hawks won the coin toss but gave ECSU the first crack on offense from the 25 yard line in the sudden death overtime. Three plays, a first down and a one yard rush by Petey Boone later, Tyrell Houghton found Javoris Bryant in the corner of the end zone from 14 yards out to break the tie, however the extra point flew wide right and ECSU clung to a 37-31 lead.
The Hawks began their do or die drive from the 25 yard line but the ECSU defense was staunch, yielding only a two yard rush on Chowan's second play from scrimmage. After a third and goal pass attempt to Robert Holland fell incomplete the Hawks faced a final shot to tie and win with a successful extra point conversion.
On what turned out to be the final play of the game CU's Ryan Simpson dropped back and fired a 23-yard strike to Antjuan Randall in the end zone. But while he was airborne the Vikings' Lavonte Baker snatched the ball from Randall's grasp for a game sealing interception, simultaneously spoiling the Hawks' Homecoming.
For the second straight week the Vikings put up over 500 yards offense, finishing the afternoon with 567 total yards. Tyrell Houghton threw for 380 yards on 31-40 passing; his most impressive drive of the day came after the Hawks took their first lead, 31-24, with 4:05 remaining in regulation.
Houghton led the Vikings on a 6 play, 66 yard game drive, tying the contest at 31 apiece on a 15 yard touchdown pass to Darrius Wesson. He spread the ball around to nine different receivers and had 4 passing touchdowns on the day; his longest completion of the came after a 5-yard screen pass to Boone went 65 yards for a score at the 7:24 mark in the 3rd quarter.
The Hawks fall to 3-5 overall and 2-3 in conference play.
ECSU (3-5, CIAA 3-2) will hit the road next Saturday when they travel to Richmond, VA to take on Virginia Union University. Game time is scheduled for 1:00pm at Hovey Field in Richmond, VA.
Follow on Twitter @ECSUVikings and log onto www.ecsuvikings.com for more information.
COURTESY ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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