ELIZABETH CITY – Christopher Perkins delivered the signature performance Elizabeth City State had been searching for, accounting for five touchdowns as the Vikings defeated Livingstone 39-27 on Saturday afternoon at Roebuck Stadium.

The junior quarterback completed 17 of 20 passes for 190 yards and four touchdowns while adding 130 yards and another score on the ground, leading ECSU to its first win of 2025. The Vikings improved to 1-4 overall and 1-2 in CIAA play, while Livingstone dropped to 3-2 and 2-1 in conference action.

Elizabeth City State controlled possession for more than 27 minutes and racked up 397 total yards, including 197 on the ground. The Vikings converted six of 10 third-down attempts and scored on two of their four red-zone opportunities while limiting Livingstone to three conversions on 11 third-down tries.

Early Exchange Sets Stage

The Vikings opened the game with a methodical nine-play, 43-yard drive that consumed more than six minutes. Traquan Johnson capped the march with a one-yard touchdown run at the 8:47 mark of the first quarter, and Wyatt Jackson's extra point gave ECSU an early 7-0 lead.

Livingstone needed just 73 seconds to respond. On the third play of the ensuing drive, quarterback Elijah Alexander connected with Tavion Jackson on a 67-yard touchdown pass that tied the game at 7-7 with 7:13 left in the opening period.

The Vikings regained the lead late in the second quarter when Perkins broke loose on a 73-yard touchdown run, cutting through the middle of the Livingstone defense and outrunning the secondary to the end zone. The Vikings missed the extra point but led 13-7 with 9:41 remaining in the half.

That score came one play after Sterling Chavis intercepted Alexander at the ECSU five-yard line, halting a Livingstone drive that had reached the Vikings' seven. Chavis returned the pick 22 yards to give Perkins and the offense excellent field position.

Third-Quarter Surge

Elizabeth City State broke the game open in the third quarter, scoring on three consecutive possessions to build a commanding 33-7 advantage.

The onslaught began on the Vikings' opening drive of the second half, an eight-play, 64-yard march that featured a key third-down conversion when Perkins hit Troy Smith for eight yards. Two plays later, Perkins found Smith again, this time for a 30-yard touchdown pass that extended the lead to 20-7 at the 9:26 mark. Benjamin Turner's extra point was good.

After forcing a Livingstone three-and-out, ECSU took over at its own 29-yard line. Perkins was sacked for a 10-yard loss on first down, but he quickly made up for it. He completed passes to EJ Gatling and Holland for minimal gains before hitting Holland again on second-and-15 for a 29-yard gain to the Livingstone five. On the next play, Perkins found Johnson for a five-yard touchdown pass, pushing the lead to 26-7 with 6:19 left in the third.

The Vikings tacked on another score just before the end of the quarter. Following a fumble by Livingstone's Davyn Reid on the kickoff return, ECSU took over at the Blue Bears' 29. Perkins needed just two plays, scrambling 30 yards to the 20-yard line before hitting Holland for a 20-yard touchdown pass as time expired in the third quarter. Turner's kick made it 33-7.

Livingstone Responds Too Late

The Blue Bears finally found some offensive rhythm late in the third quarter. Alexander led a six-play, 51-yard drive that he finished with a two-yard touchdown run as the third quarter expired, cutting the deficit to 33-14.

Livingstone's defense then forced a three-and-out to start the fourth quarter, and the offense capitalized. Alexander directed a seven-play, 32-yard drive that he capped with a two-yard touchdown pass to Chris Washington. Jason Zapata's extra point made it 33-21 with 7:12 remaining.

But Perkins answered immediately. On the Vikings' next possession, he completed passes to Holland twice and Smith once during a seven-play, 63-yard drive. The march ended with a 34-yard touchdown strike to Shamar Sutton at the 8:14 mark, restoring the 18-point cushion at 39-21. The Vikings failed to convert the two-point attempt.

Livingstone tacked on a late score when backup quarterback Salomon Georges Jr. led a six-play, 40-yard drive and hit Ronald Lindsey for a seven-yard touchdown with 1:55 left. The two-point conversion failed, and the Vikings recovered the onside kick to seal the victory.

Balanced Attack

Perkins spread the ball effectively throughout the afternoon. Holland led all receivers with six catches for 74 yards and a touchdown, while Smith hauled in four passes for 59 yards and a score. Sutton added three receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown, and Johnson contributed one catch for five yards and a score.

On the ground, Perkins carried 15 times for 130 yards, averaging 8.7 yards per attempt. Johnson added 37 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, and Ameil Braswell chipped in 17 yards on three attempts.

For Livingstone, Jackson caught eight passes for 127 yards and a touchdown, while Lindsey had four receptions for 53 yards and a score. Alexander completed 15 of 23 passes for 187 yards, two touchdowns and one interception before giving way to Georges Jr., who finished 4-of-8 for 41 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

The Blue Bears managed just 91 yards rushing on 30 attempts. Georges Jr. led the way with 39 yards on four carries, while Javen Parker added 36 yards on eight attempts.

Defensive Contributions

ECSU's defense registered four sacks and two interceptions while forcing two fumbles. Jaevon Branch led the unit with eight tackles, including five solo stops and a sack. Caleb Gervais-Lynch recorded a sack for a 10-yard loss, Drewvon Oxendine had a five-yard sack, and Sir'Sean Ingram brought down Alexander for a three-yard loss.

Chavis finished with five tackles and his crucial red-zone interception, while Worthy added an interception in the fourth quarter that ended Livingstone's final drive.

For Livingstone, Jordan Paul led the defense with eight tackles and forced a fumble. Velson Seide added five tackles, including a sack for a six-yard loss. Kevin Larkins Jr. recorded three tackles and returned an interception 36 yards in the second quarter that set up Livingstone's final drive of the half.

Key Numbers

The Vikings dominated the possession battle, holding the ball for 27:08 compared to Livingstone's 22:21. ECSU averaged 6.5 yards per play compared to 5.2 for the Blue Bears.

Perkins was not sacked until the third quarter and finished the game having been brought down twice for 12 yards in losses. By contrast, Alexander and Georges Jr. combined to be sacked four times for 29 yards.

The Vikings also won the field-position battle, averaging 56.6 yards per kickoff compared to 35.6 for Livingstone. Jackson's seven kickoffs included one touchback and one that went out of bounds.

Both teams struggled with extra points. ECSU converted just three of five attempts, while Livingstone made three of three but failed on both two-point conversion tries.

The Vikings will look to build on this performance as they continue CIAA play, while Livingstone must regroup after surrendering 32 unanswered points over a two-quarter span.

Top Performers

• Christopher Perkins, ECSU: 17-of-20 passing, 190 yards, 4 TDs; 15 rushes, 130 yards, 1 TD
• Terrance Holland, ECSU: 6 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD
• Jaevon Branch, ECSU: 8 tackles (5 solo), 1 sack
• Tavion Jackson, Livingstone: 8 receptions, 127 yards, 1 TD
• Elijah Alexander, Livingstone: 15-of-23 passing, 187 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

ELIZABETH CITY – Johnson C. Smith maintained its undefeated start to the season with a narrow 21-17 victory over Elizabeth City State at Roebuck Stadium on Saturday afternoon, but the 23rd-ranked Golden Bulls had to overcome a third-quarter deficit and relied on a clutch fourth-quarter touchdown pass to secure their CIAA opener.

The victory improved Johnson C. Smith to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play, while Elizabeth City State dropped to 0-3 and 0-1 in the CIAA despite a spirited performance that saw them take their first lead of the game in the third quarter.

Elizabeth City State struck first, methodically driving 41 yards over 11 plays before Benjamin Turner connected on a 23-yard field goal with 7:18 remaining in the opening quarter. The drive consumed nearly seven minutes and set an early tone for what would become a back-and-forth contest.

Johnson C. Smith's response came swiftly and explosively. After taking over at their own 33-yard line, the Golden Bulls needed just three plays to find the end zone. The decisive moment came when Antonio Crim broke free for a 56-yard touchdown run, giving Johnson C. Smith a 7-3 lead after Lukasz Smolen's extra point.

The Golden Bulls extended their advantage early in the second quarter with a more sustained scoring drive. Starting from their own 17-yard line, Johnson C. Smith marched 83 yards in seven plays, capped by Bobby Smith's 5-yard touchdown run. The drive showcased the Golden Bulls' balanced attack, mixing run and pass to keep the Vikings' defense off balance.

Elizabeth City State's offense had struggled to find consistency through much of the first half, but they delivered the game's most spectacular play just before intermission. After the Golden Bulls turned the ball over on downs at the Vikings' 17-yard line, quarterback Christopher Perkins dropped back and found Ka'Trez Bracey on a slant pattern. What started as a routine completion turned into a 91-yard house call as Bracey broke through the Johnson C. Smith secondary for Elizabeth City State's longest play from scrimmage this season.

The explosive touchdown pulled the Vikings within 14-10 at halftime and provided crucial momentum heading into the locker room. Johnson C. Smith had controlled much of the first half, outgaining Elizabeth City State 199 yards to 124, but found themselves with just a four-point advantage.

Elizabeth City State carried that momentum into the third quarter, engineering the game's most impressive sustained drive. Starting from their own 10-yard line after a punt, the Vikings methodically moved downfield with a 13-play, 90-yard march that consumed over five minutes of clock time.

The drive featured contributions from multiple players, with Shamar Sutton providing a 10-yard run and 12-yard reception to help move the chains. Perkins found his rhythm, completing passes to Troy Smith and connecting with Bracey again for a 29-yard gain that set up the go-ahead score. Traquan Johnson finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge, giving Elizabeth City State its first lead at 17-14 with 7:24 remaining in the third quarter.

The lead stood through the remainder of the third quarter as both defenses tightened. Johnson C. Smith mounted several threats but couldn't find the end zone, settling for a missed 29-yard field goal attempt by Smolen early in the fourth quarter, a disappointing end to what had been a nearly eight minute drive.

With time running short and facing the prospect of their first loss, Johnson C. Smith's offense finally broke through with 3:51 remaining. Taking over at their own 38-yard line, the Golden Bulls needed just one play to reclaim the lead. Quarterback Kelvin Durham found Reginald Daniel streaking downfield, and the 62-yard touchdown connection restored Johnson C. Smith's advantage at 21-17.

Elizabeth City State had one final opportunity to answer, but their last drive stalled near midfield when Christopher Perkins' fourth-down pass fell incomplete with 2:35 remaining. Johnson C. Smith then controlled the ball for the final minutes, running out the clock to preserve the victory.

The statistical battle reflected the competitive nature of the game. Johnson C. Smith held slight edges in total offense (358-298) and rushing yards (160-107), while the passing games were nearly identical with the Golden Bulls throwing for 198 yards compared to Elizabeth City State's 191.

Durham completed 18 of 24 passes for Johnson C. Smith, finishing with one touchdown and one interception. His counterpart Perkins connected on 15 of 30 attempts for Elizabeth City State, throwing one touchdown without an interception despite facing consistent pressure that resulted in three sacks.

In the ground game, Smith led Johnson C. Smith with 66 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown, while Crim added 54 yards on just four attempts, including his game-changing 56-yard score. For Elizabeth City State, Johnson carried 17 times for 62 yards and the Vikings' lone rushing touchdown.

The receiving corps for both teams featured standout performances. Johnson C. Smith's Deandre Proctor caught seven passes for 35 yards, while Daniel's lone reception went for the game-winning touchdown. Elizabeth City State's Bracey stole the show with just two catches for 120 yards and a touchdown, with his 91-yard score serving as the game's most memorable play.

Defensively, both teams generated pressure and created turnovers. Johnson C. Smith recorded three sacks, led by Jalen Alexander and Jaxson Hickson who each brought down Perkins once. Elizabeth City State managed one sack and came up with the game's lone interception when Sterling Chavis picked off Durham in the second quarter.

The victory keeps Johnson C. Smith's perfect record intact as they prepare for a challenging road test against defending CIAA champion Virginia Union. For Elizabeth City State, the narrow loss represented their most competitive performance of the young season, providing building blocks as they prepare for next week's Down East Viking Football Classic against Fayetteville State.

Key Performers

Johnson C. Smith:

• Kelvin Durham: 18/24, 198 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Bobby Smith: 16 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD
• Antonio Crim: 4 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD; 3 catches, 68 yards
• Reginald Daniel: 1 catch, 62 yards, 1 TD

Elizabeth City State:

• Christopher Perkins: 15/30, 191 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
• Ka'Trez Bracey: 2 catches, 120 yards, 1 TD
• Traquan Johnson: 17 carries, 62 yards, 1 TD
• Sterling Chavis: 1 interception

ELIZABETH CITY – Elizabeth City State University has made a significant move in their football program, naming Adrian Jones as the 15th head coach of the Vikings. Jones arrives at ECSU after an eight-year tenure at Shaw University, where he transformed the Bears into a consistent CIAA competitor.

During his time at Shaw, Jones compiled a record of 35-45 overall and 29-28 in CIAA play, developing a reputation for player development with 49 All-CIAA Conference selections. His ability to build programs was evident from the start, taking over a Bears team that went 1-9 before his arrival and steadily improving their competitive standing in the conference.

ECSU Athletics Director James M. DuBose Jr. expressed confidence in the hire, highlighting Jones's alignment with the program's values. "We are thrilled to welcome Coach Jones to Elizabeth City State University," said DuBose. "He embodies the values and vision we strive for in our athletics program."

Jones brings an impressive championship pedigree to the Vikings, including three conference titles and a Black College National Championship during his stint at North Carolina Central University (2003-2007, 2014-2016). His success extends to the high school level, where he led Southern Durham High School to a state championship in 2013.

The new Vikings coach, who starred as an All-Conference defensive back at NCCU in the 1990s, sees tremendous potential in Elizabeth City State. "Elizabeth City State University has a proud history and a passionate community," Jones said. "I look forward to partnering with our ECSU family and our student-athletes to build a program that reflects excellence."

ELIZABETH CITY – Marcus Hilliard, the head football coach at Elizabeth City State University, announced his resignation on November 15, 2024, after three seasons with the Vikings.

Hilliard, a former ECSU player and defensive coordinator, took over the program in 2022. While he expressed gratitude for his time at the university, his tenure was marked by mixed results on the field. Hilliard led ECSU to an 8-22 record in his three seasons, including a 5-18 record in CIAA play.

In a statement, Hilliard thanked the university's faculty, staff, students, and alumni for their support. He also expressed his appreciation for the players he coached.

"As I reflect on my time at ECSU, I remember being an 18-year-old freshman with little idea of what I wanted in life," Hilliard said. "The journey here has been filled with both trials and triumphs, each one steering me closer to the coaching world. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to lead young men both on and off the field."   

Hilliard's departure comes as ECSU seeks to improve its football program and achieve greater success in the future. The university will begin a search for a new head coach immediately.

Defensive coordinator David Castillo has been named interim head coach.

SALISBURY – Livingstone overcame an early deficit to defeat Elizabeth City State 23-17 in a closely contested game that featured identical offensive outputs from both teams.

The Vikings struck first with Riley Higgins connecting on a 30-yard field goal in the opening quarter. Livingstone responded in the second quarter when Christopher Garrett found Chris Washington for a 14-yard touchdown pass, giving the Blue Bears a 7-3 lead.

Elizabeth City State reclaimed the advantage before halftime as quarterback Damarcus Creecy connected with Terrance Holland on a 12-yard touchdown pass. Creecy extended the Vikings' lead to 17-7 early in the third quarter with a 25-yard touchdown run.

The Blue Bears mounted their comeback behind running back Calvin Scott, who broke free for a 39-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 17-14. Livingstone took the lead for good in the fourth quarter when quarterback Zorian Wallace hit Hezekiah Massey for a 21-yard touchdown pass. Jason Zapata added insurance with a 49-yard field goal to secure the victory.

Both teams finished with identical offensive totals of 277 yards, including 140 yards rushing and 137 yards passing. Mohamed Nyanamukenga led Livingstone's ground attack with 105 yards on 23 carries, while Zechariah Adams-Duckson paced the Vikings with 56 yards on 10 attempts.

The game was marked by penalties, with Elizabeth City State flagged 13 times for 102 yards and Livingstone seven times for 83 yards. The Blue Bears controlled the clock, holding possession for nearly 34 minutes compared to about 26 minutes for the Vikings.

Defensively, Elizabeth City State's Jonari Carroll led all tacklers with seven total tackles, including one for loss. The Vikings generated consistent pressure, sacking Wallace once and hurrying him multiple times.

Up Next

Livingstone (4-2, 2-1) is celebrating Homecoming with a matchup against Fayetteville State while Elizabeth City State (2-3, 0-2) travels to take on Virginia Union.