Virginia State Pounds ECSU 51-28, for 4th Consecutive Win

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. -- Virginia State (5-1, 3-0) used a tough defense, steady running attack and timely special teams play to register a 51-28 victory over Elizabeth City State (1-5, 1-2) before 1,876 fans at Roebuck Stadium in Elizabeth City, N.C.

The win was the fourth straight for the Trojans, matching the longest winning skein since 2010.

The ball-hawking Virginia State defense returned two interceptions for touchdowns, running back Jordan Anderson rushed for 214 yards and five touchdowns and the Trojans special teams blocked a punt resulting in a field goal.

Virginia State took the opening kickoff and marched 78 yards in 12 plays, culminating in Anderson's six-yard touchdown run. Shawn Hunt added the extra point to give the Trojans a 7-0 advantage with 9:29 left in the opening quarter. Sean Smith intercepted a pass on Elizabeth City State's second-play from scrimmage, returning it 39 yards for a score less than a minute later upping Virginia State's lead to 14-0. Two minutes later, the Trojans took over on the nine-yard line after a Viking punt. On the first play from scrimmage, Anderson broke loose and rambled 91 yards for Virginia State's third touchdown in the first 7:34 of the game. The extra-point attempt failed.

Elizabeth City State scored when Petey Boone bulled in from the one-yard line midway through the second quarter, making the score 20-7. With 3:50 left in the half, Virginia State's Devonte Piggott intercepted a pass and returned it 26 yards for the score to increase the Trojan margin to 27-7. But the Vikings got on the scoreboard just before halftime on a 16-yard scoring pass from Tyrell Houghton to Lovi Rose-Banks to make the score, 27-14.

The Trojans scored 10 unanswered points in the third quarter to take control. Anderson capped a nine-play, 60-yard play with a 13-yard scoring run and, following a blocked punt, Shawn Hunt booted 32-yard field goal to up the lead to 37-14 at the end of the three quarters.

Jordan scored fourth quarter touchdowns on runs of three and two yards. Elizabeth City State scored in the final period on a 69-yard pass from Houghton to Montario Hunter in a 51-28 triumph.

COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION