ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina -- The Virginia State University took a 24-23 win over the Elizabeth City State University Vikings on Oct. 10, outlasting them in the first Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Northern Division matchup of the season. An unsuccessful 48 yard kick by the Vikings gave the Trojans the close win.The victory gives the VSU a 4-2 overall record, 2-1 in the CIAA conference, 1-0 in the Northern Division.
The Trojans set the bar high in the first play of the game with a 74 yard pass completion from junior quarterback Tarian Ayres (Dillwyn, VA) to senior wide receiver Jaivon Smallwood for a VSU touchdown. VSU held the Vikings down the remainder of the first quarter.
ECSU rallied back in the second quarter with a touchdown with 7:20 on the clock. Freshman linebacker TyVaughan Kirby-Johnson (Richmond, VA) stepping in with a block as the Viking attempted their goal kick. Kirby-Johnson's quick thinking kept the Trojans in the lead, 7-6. A VSU fumble turned the ball over to ECSU with 7:04 in the quarter. On the 4th down and 9 with 6:04 left before halftime, the Vikings secured a 34 yard touchdown, bring the score to 13-7. The Trojans regrouped after 10 plays and clinched a 25 yard touchdown by sophomore running back Trenton Cannon (Hampton, VA). Things were looking up for VSU until ECSU made a 42 yard field goal to bring the score to 16-14, with the Trojans down going into halftime.
The Vikings made the first touchdown of the third quarter with an 81 yard pass with 5:59 on the clock. The Trojans were not going down without a fight and pressed their way to the end zone with a 1 yard run by junior running back Kavon Bellamy (Hampton, VA). At the conclusion of the third quarter, the Trojans trailed 23-21.
Putting VSU back in the lead was sophomore kicker Mathew Hillquist (Glen Allen, VA). Hillquist's 42 yard kick with 14:06 remaining in the game would eventually give VSU the win. ECSU took a chance to steal the game with 0:05 left on the clock with a 48 yard field goal attempt, but was unsuccessful.
Ayres was 10- for-21 in pass completions with 202 yards and a single touchdown. Cannon led the Trojans with 150 rushing yards and a single touchdown while Smallwood tallied 114 receiving yards and a touchdown. Junior linebacker Geo Feggins (South Hill, VA) earned a career high with 14 total tackled in a single game, of which 13 were solo tackles. Hillquist secured a career high with his longest field goal of 42 yards.
Mark your calendars, the Trojans will take on the Bulldogs of Bowie State University on Saturday, Oct. 17 for VSU Homecoming 2015. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. in Rogers Stadium.
The Virginia State Department of Athletics annual 1,000 cans, 1 goal campaign initiative is underway. Canned food items collected will be donated to the local food banks. The Department encourages all fans, alumni, faculty and friends to bring a canned food item to all of the home volleyball and football games this season.
For more football information to include homecoming and tailgating, visit, govsutrojans.com, call 804-524-5030, or follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports.
BOX SCORE
COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
No comments:
Post a Comment