As Elizabeth City State University kicker Kenneth Milhayov kicked the winning field goal with 1:03 left in the game, N.C. Central University saw their three-game winning streak come to a halt. The Vikings earned their first win of the season and their first Down East Classic 25-23 at Rocky Mount Athletic Complex last Saturday night in the fifth annual event.

The key factor in the game was the number of Eagle turnovers, four.

“When you have four turnovers in a game, you’re not gonna win,” said head coach Rod Broadway. “I knew if we eliminated turnovers, we would have a chance.”

The Vikings scored 1:44 into the game with a field goal by Mihalyov and then on a touchdown after a blocked punt was recovered and returned 26 yards for the touchdown.

The Eagles countered with kicker Jamal Molden’s career best 47-yard field goal. With 14:16 left in the half, the Eagles tied the game with a two-yard touchdown pass from Adrian Warren to sophomore wide receiver Toryeon Hester. ECSU added a 30-yard field goal before halftime to give the Vikings the lead 13-10.

The Vikings scored again in the third quarter on a 52-yard strike from Teyon Pender to receiver Marlon Smith, but the two-point conversion failed, making the score 19-10.

They later added a field goal, creating a 12-point margin 22-10

The Eagles closed the gap in the final period when Warren connected with freshman receiver Charles Futrell on a 25-yard touchdown pass but the extra point attempt was blocked.

On the Vikings next possession, the Eagles forced the them to punt. Ryan Craig blocked it and Chris Scott recovered the ball in the end zone, tying the game at 22. The extra point put the Eagles ahead.

When ECSU got the ball, Pender completed two passes for 59 yards and rushed 22 yards to set up the game-winning field goal.

Broadway told the Durham-Herald Sun that ECSU wouldn’t quit. But he said turning the ball over is what caused them to lose.

“We had a chance to come back,” said Broadway. “We had a chance to win. The turnovers killed us.”

NCCU had 344 yards of total offense. Courtney Clinton led the Eagles rushing 49 yards and Warren had 170 yards on 14-of –28 passing and two touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Michael Noel caught five passes for 58 yards.