Staff report

SALISBURY — When Elizabeth City State quarterback Damarcus Creecy bolted for a 25-yard scoring run early in the second half, things looked grim for Livingstone College’s football team.

That touchdown — a short-field score following a long kickoff return combined with a Livingstone penalty — put the Vikings ahead by 10 points in Saturday’s CIAA game at Alumni Memorial Stadium, and Elizabeth City State is a team that is good on defense.

But Livingstone (4-2, 2-1) came back, owned the last 28 minutes and beat the Vikings 23-17 in front of 1,879 fans.

Livingstone’s possession after Creecy’s touchdown jaunt put the Vikings (1-3, 0-2) ahead 17-7 was a critical juncture, and the Blue Bears responded by moving 75 yards in 13 plays. Most of that distance was covered by a 39-yard scoring run by Calvin Scott. Jason Zapata’s PAT cut the deficit to 17-14.

Zorian Wallace threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Hezekiah Massey with 9:50 left in the game to give the Blue Bears their first lead at 20-17. The PAT failed, leaving Livingstone with a precarious three-point edge.

But Zapata connected on a 49-yard field goal five minutes later to stretch the lead to 23-17.

Christopher Garrett threw a TD pass to Chris Washington for Livingstone in the first half, after ECSU had opened the scoring with a field goal.

Creecy had a TD pass to put the Vikings ahead 10-7 at halftime.

Mohamed Nyanamukenga rushed for 105 yards on 23 carries to lead LC’s offense.

Osmanis Aguilera had two sacks for the Blue Bears.

Livingstone will welcome Fayetteville State next Saturday afternoon.