Rocky Mount, NC – Fayetteville State made an impact statement in its 47-6 season-opener victory over Elizabeth City State at the Down East Viking Football Classic in Rocky Mount, NC. Head Coach Richard Hayes hoisted his second consecutive Classic Trophy as the Broncos improved to 1-0 on the season. Wide Receiver Tyeous Sharpe was named the Offensive MVP with five receptions for 79 yards and a score. Defensive tackle Keyshawn James received the Defensive MVP with seven-and-a-half tackles and three-and-a-half sacks for a loss of 3.5 yards.
 
The Broncos amassed 415 yards of total offense from 63 plays. The FSU defense held the Vikings to 101 yards of offense.
 
On the Broncos' first drive, Darnell Walker advanced Fayetteville State to the Vikings' 14-yard line and the pursuing 11-yard pass from Khari Lane to Tyeous Sharpe placed the ball on the three-yard line. Johnnie Glaspie tiptoed into the endzone from three yards out (extra-point kick failed) for a 6-0 lead with 11:34 left in the first quarter.
 
On FSU's second drive, the Broncos marched 69 yards down the field within ten plays to capture a 13-point lead after Tyeous Sharpe hauled in a 13-yard touchdown pass from Khari Lane.
 
Elizabeth City State's offense faced a tough Broncos defense. On the Vikings' third possession (trailing 13-0), Keyshawn James sacked ECSU's De'Abrie Smith for seven yards on a first-and-ten and once again on 3^rd-and-13 for 11 yards, which set the Vikings at 4^th-and-24 on the ECSU's 21-yard line. The punt attempt sailed over the punter's head resulting in a safety and a Bronco 15-0 lead.
 
On the opening drive of the second quarter, Darnell Walker capped an eight-play, 64-yard scoring drive with a three-yard walk into the endzone. The score and kick gave FSU a 22-0 lead.
 
Joshua Williams had a pick-six for 32 yards with 2:13 left in the first half for a 28-nothing lead.
 
Elizabeth City State managed its first scoring drive to open the second half. Kevin Caldwell threw a 15-yarder to Zion Riddick with 9:18 on the clock. On the extra-point attempt, the Broncos' Brandon Smith blocked the kick-attempt while Elvin De La Rosa scooped up the ball and returned it 90 yards for a defensive point-after-attempt and a 30-6 lead.
 
Fayetteville State did not let up on the pressure as Khari Lane connected with Braxton Knotts for a nine-yard score with 1:29 left in the third quarter for a 37-6 advantage. The drive went seven plays for 24 yards in 3:03.
 
The Broncos closed out the game with two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Lane punched through the line of scrimmage from one yard out for a 44-6 score. The scoring drive covered 81 yards in nine plays. The final score was on the pursuing drive with 2:24 left in the game. Backup quarterback Korey Hailey closed out an eight-play nine-yard drive with a one-yard rush into pay-dirt.
 
The Broncos travel to Wingate on Saturday, September 11 for a 6 p.m. kickoff against the Bulldogs.