CSU's opening game shortened due to weather; ECSU wins 19-10

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina – The Central State Marauders showed resiliency after falling behind by an early touchdown, but it wasn't enough to overcome Elizabeth City State's big-plays in the running game and the lightning in the area, as the Vikings came away with a 19-10 weather-shortened victory in the opening game of the college football season.

ECSU managed to score on the opening kickoff on a wild sequence of events. CSU's Terraris Saffold juked oncoming tacklers and returned the ball down to the Viking's 35-yard line before having the ball stripped. Taeyon Reynolds came up with the recovery and ran it back 65 yards to give ECSU the early 7-0 lead.

On the first possession of the second quarter, CSU manufactured an 11 play, 69-yard drive resulting in a 28-yard field goal by Trevor Teel to cut the deficit down to 7-3. Shutting out the opponent's offense in the first 30 minutes of play, CSU defensive end Shemar Moss closed the first half of football by sacking ECSU quarterback Kedri Patterson for a 13-yard loss.

ECSU increased the lead to 10 thanks to a 9 play, 70-yard drive. ECSU successfully ran the ball five straight times to generate momentum. Patterson capped the drive off through the air with a 20-yard pass to Jaquari Bellamy. After a failed extra point attempt, CSU trailed 13-3 with 2:47 to go in the third quarter.

The Marauders responded on their next possession. Quarterback Trent Mays connected with tight end Robert Corbin, Jr. for an 11-yard gain to start the drive. CSU then went to its running game as Saffold and Jerry Lanier combined for 33 yards on the ground to drive the ball down to the ECSU 32-yard line. Mays connected with Saffold for an eight yard gain out of the backfield and then threw a 21-yard strike to Darius Ford for the score to make it a three-point game at the 14:24 mark of the fourth quarter.

With inclement weather loaming in the area, ECSU quickly struck on its next possession thanks to a 71-yard touchdown run by Gregory Bryan. After another missed extra point, the Vikings led 19-10 with 13:21 on the clock.

On the ensuing kickoff, Saffold returned the ball 22-yards to give CSU good field position at their own 40-yard line, Mays completed a pass to Bobby Gist for a gain of eight yards just before lightning struck. Both teams and fans immediately headed for shelter. After multiple weather delays and issues with stadium lighting, it was decided by the officials, coaches and athletic directors record the game as final with 12:29 left in regulation resulting in a win for Elizabeth City State.

In a shortened game, Mays completed 12 of 18 pass attempts for 118 yards and one score. Saffold recorded 49 rushing yards and another 42 yards on kick returns. Kailen Abrams led the CSU defensive efforts with 7 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Bryan led the Vikings with 115 rushing yards. Reynolds led the way for the Vikings defensively with 5 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and 65-yard fumble recovery return for the opening score.
The Marauders will host Clark Atlanta (0-1) at home next Saturday at 1 pm. For game details, tickets and coverage, visit - https://maraudersports.com/news/2018/9/1/football--clark-atlanta-on-saturday.aspx