ECSU edges Fayetteville State in Down East Classic

DeQuan Neal noticed one big difference in the way his team played on Saturday against Fayetteville State University compared with what he had seen all season. And it all happened right in front of the Elizabeth City State University quarterback.

“They moved their feet,” Neal, a quarterback, said of his offensive line. “They moved their feet big time, got out and gave us some real good blocks. The whole offense fed off that. We needed that.”

Neal and the Vikings needed two halves of football to figure out a way to attack the Broncos defense in the second half. And with a little help from the Vikings defense with a timely stop, ECSU went on to earn a 45-42 win in the 20th annual Down East Classic at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex.

Both offenses shined, but it was the Broncos (1-2) who displayed their quick-score ability right away. Fayetteville State scored four touchdowns before halftime, with all four scores needing no more than three minutes. The Broncos’ rushing attack ran with ease, while their defense pummeled rushes and defended the pass well to the tune of two interceptions.

The Vikings (2-1) trailed 28-19 at halftime and were left searching for a different way to move the ball. The deep ball wasn’t working, and runs between the tackles didn’t go far. Then came the screen game. Neal didn’t bother throwing downfield too often in the second half, and instead passed to his check-downs and looked to his receivers coming out of the backfield.

Finally, some movement.

“We’re a really versatile line,” said Vikings offensive lineman Delasio Bartley, a Rocky Mount High graduate. “We’re so good at blocking screens. I think we just have a good group of guys who understand what to do and where to be.”

The Vikings moved the ball effectively, which led to five consecutive drives ending in points, including three straight touchdowns. But even with the new success on offense, the defense was in a bind trying to defend the Broncos’ run game and special teams. Broncos return man Brandon Smith gained 253 return yards, including a 90-yard return touchdown to tie the score at 42-42 midway through the fourth quarter.

ECSU didn’t have an answer for Fayetteville State running back Stevie Green, either. The sophomore torched the Vikings defense for 255 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries. It was a career high for Green, who carried the Broncos offense.

Green compiled a handful of impressive games last season and was named the 2016 CIAA offensive rookie of the year. He turned in six 100-yard rushing performances, including a 234-yard game.

But he found another level on Saturday, and it took a herculean effort from a tattered Vikings’ defense to keep him from doing even more damage. ECSU allowed 66 points in a loss to UNC Pembroke last week and looked just as vulnerable early.

“We had to be ready,” Neal said. “They had some quick scores, and we had to come out and answer. There’s some extra pressure on you when that happens, but there comes a time when you have to step up and do your job.”

With the score tied, Neal led a drive to set up what would be the game-winning field goal, a 29-yard kick from Joshua Laverty to send the Vikings home with a win.