Falcons Fall To Elizabeth City State In Football

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. – D.J. Johnson (Fr./Richmond, VA) tossed a touchdown pass to Joseph Baker (Fr./Goldsboro, NC) for Saint Augustine's University (SAU), but the Falcons lost 23-7 to Elizabeth City State University at Gregson Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015.

Baker leaped over an Elizabeth City State defender in the corner of the end zone for his first touchdown catch of the year, a 22-yarder from Johnson who was making his season debut. Johnson, who came off the bench, completed 5 of 6 passes for 70 yards and rushed for 39 yards.

The third-quarter touchdown was the last score in the contest. The Falcons held the Vikings scoreless after trailing 23-0 early in the third quarter.

The Falcons dropped to 0-3 overall, but the 16-point margin was the smallest in three losses.

The Vikings were held to 285 total offensive yards, which is a season low for the Falcons. Linebacker Durell Newby (Redshirt Jr./Graham, NC) and defensive back Tyrian Joye (Fr./Charlotte, NC) were the top tacklers with six apiece, and linebacker Tray King (So./Kershaw, SC) added five tackles including two sacks. Defensive lineman Darius Goodman (Redshirt So./Richmond, VA) forced a fumble which linebacker Chris Roberts (Sr./Albany, GA) recovered, and defensive back Darius Cole (Fr./Pittsboro, NC) intercepted a pass.

Offensively, Devion Newkirk (Jr./Raleigh, NC) caught four passes for 46 yards and Jordan Turkvant (Redshirt Sr./Orangeburg, SC) added three receptions for 43 yards. Roderick Davenport (Redshirt Sr./Orangeburg, SC) rushed for 42 yards, and starting quarterback Julius Murphy (Redshirt So./Goldsboro, NC) completed 7 of 14 passes for 80 yards.

The Falcons sacked Vikings' quarterback Daquan Neal twice and picked him off once, but his two touchdown passes in the first half gave the visitors a 14-0 lead. The Vikings went into halftime leading 16-0 after a safety in the second quarter.

The Falcons threatened to slice the lead right before the half. With second down and goal at the Vikings' 1, the Falcons fumbled with 10 seconds left in the second quarter.

After halftime, the Vikings (2-0 overall) scored two plays into the second half. Josh Joyner, who rushed for a game-high 144 yards, ran 46 yards to the Falcons' 22. On the next play, Ra'shee Rushing scored on a 22-yard run for a 23-0 Vikings' lead.

Defensively for the Vikings, Stephen Williams finished with a game-high 11 tackles including a sack and three tackles for loss.

Fortunately for the Falcons, the defeat was a non-conference game between the CIAA schools. The conference season begins next Saturday (Sept. 26) against Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C. Game time is 1 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Darius Goodman: DL; 6' 0"; Redshirt Sophomore

#7 Julius Murphy: QB; 6' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore

#10 Tray King: OLB; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#1 Jordan Turkvant: WR; 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior

#3 Chris Roberts: LB; 6' 3"; Senior

#8 Joseph Baker: WR; 6' 2"; Freshman

#14 Darryl "D.J." Johnson: QB; 5' 11"; Freshman

#18 Tyrian Joye: DB; 5' 9"; Freshman

#32 Darius Cole: DB; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#2 Darius Goodman
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Sophomore
: DL

#7 Julius Murphy
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore
: QB

#10 Tray King
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: OLB

#1 Jordan Turkvant
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior
: WR

#3 Chris Roberts
: 6' 3"; Senior
: LB

#8 Joseph Baker
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: WR

#14 Darryl "D.J." Johnson
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: QB

#18 Tyrian Joye
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: DB

#32 Darius Cole
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: DB

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned

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