Staff report
SALISBURY — Livingstone’s football team has won three straight and will look to make it four in a row when the Blue Bears take on CII opponent Elizabeth City State on Saturday.
Kickoff against the Mighty Vikings is set for 1 p.m. at 5,000-seat Roebuck Stadium.
Livingstone is 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the CIAA. A modest winning streak quietly has been built against Allen (2-3), Bowie State (1-3) and Lincoln (0-5), so not everyone is a believer in the Blue Bears. Elizabeth City State (0-4, 0-2) hasn’t put one in the win column yet, but Livingstone is favored by only three points by the Massey Ratings.
One reason for the anticipation of a tight game is that Elizabeth City State has had two weeks to get ready for the Blue Bears. It also should be noted that two of ECSU’s losses — to Hampton and Johnson C. Smith — can be placed in the “good loss” category.
Another reason that it could be a tough game for the visitors is that it’s a very long trip for LC.
Elizabeth City’s last time on a football field scared no one — except ECSU fans. That was a 51-8 shellacking from Fayetteville State in a game played in Rocky Mount. The Broncos reportedly played “Bronco Football” for four quarters. ECSU produced some frightening offensive numbers in that one, such as 62 passing yards and net 41 rushing yards. The Vikings also allowed five sacks in that game, and Livingstone has been getting sacks.
Livingstone’s defense has been playing well and should be the dominant unit in this matchup.
Livingstone beat the Vikings 23-17 last year and won 19-0 in 2022 when the teams collided in Rocky Mount. ECSU did win 19-13 the last time the teams played at Roebuck Stadium in 2021. The Vikings took advantage of five LC turnovers to take that one.
