14 The Compass Wednesday, October 26, 1994
Sports
Pkou by Pt^HolU}
Aaron Murchinson (no. 22) eludes three Union players in his quest for winning the CIAA mshing title in the Vkes’ Oct. 8 win over Virginia Unbn (40-36). Murchinson is a junior from
Fayetteville, N.C.
Virginia State’s defense costs Vikes
homecoming game in Roebuck
By Cailos McConnick
The Virginia State Universi t/s Trojans
overwhelmed the Vikings' offense Oct.
22 before a homecoming crowd of more
than 8/XX) in Roebuck Stadiimi, defeat
ing the Vikings 14-0.
That loss ended a two-game winning
streak for the Vikings.
The Trojans' defense held ECSU sopho
more ninning back Aaron Murchison,
who is fifth in the QAA in rushing, to 69
yards on 20 carries.
"It was real frustrating," Murchison
said. "Our offense never got in sync due
to a lack of execution."
Virginia State's Robert Morgan scored
their first touchdown from 14 yards out
with4K)6 left in the first quarter. Tailback
Samuel Harrell scored the next touch
down on a two-yard run with 8:53 left in
the third.
The Vikings gained only 115 rushing
yardson50carries. They had 189yardsof
total offense.
ECSU Coach George Moody was not
happy with the loss, which he described
as" the worst offensive display I've seen
in the last ten years. I can't believe what I
saw, and on homecoming, too."
Moody said the Viking's defense was
solid, but added, "the offense wasn't ex
ecuting." ECSU held the Trogans to 123
yardson the ground and 130 through the
air.
The Vikings kicked off this season with
high hopes for improving on their 1993
season's record of 2-8. Viking fans placed
their hopeson three keyplayers, Reginald
Worlds, Van Issacs and Herman Kemp,
defenave linemen.
Coaches and fans hoped these players
would bring what the Vikes lacked last
year—experience and leadership on the
offensive and defensive side of the ball.
Stovall, who was converted to quarter
back from strong safety last year, would
be out tfwee weeks. Stovall's injury gave
sophomore Kenny Crump the start at
quarterback.
Both teams started the ball game going
to their bread and butter— "the rutming
game." Neither defense would budge as
both teams finished the first quarter (0-0).
Inthesecondquarterbothteamsplayed
a defenave battle once again. TTie Vi
kings were led on defense by senior
comerback Arthur Fair who had an inter
ception and ran it back for 29 yards—
putting the Vikings in the Bulldogs' terri
tory.
The Bulldogs held the Vikings to three
and out, so the Vikings had to punt the
ball.
The rest of the second quarter was a
defwave struggle until a Bulldog quar
terback hit Gordan on a 15 yard out pat
tern in the end zone for a touchdown witii
1:00 remaining in the first half.
The Bulldogs would go on to score two
field goals in the third quarter bringing
the scorel3-0. Unable to muster any
points, the Vikings lost their first game of
the season (13-0.)
The Vikes returned to Roebuck Sta-
diumonSept. 11 for their home opener of
the season against Fayettville State Bron
cos.
The Broncos scored seven points in the
first quarter arxi their defense held the
Viking offense to zero. The Vikings went
on to score 21 points led by Clifton Davis
VIKES continue on page 15