Elizabeth City, N.C. ---- The Catawba football team kicks off their 2023 campaign Saturday afternoon with a road trip east to take on the Vikings of Elizabeth City State University at 1 p.m.
When: Sat. Sept. 2, 1 p.m.
Where: Roebuck Stadium, Elizabeth City, N.C.
Live Video: https://www.catawbaathletics.com/links/a9xbip
Live Stats: https://www.catawbaathletics.com/sports/fball/2023-24/boxscores/20230902_jeuf.xml
SERIES HISTORY VS. ELIZABETH CITY STATE
All-time: 2-0 (1.000)
Current streak: W2
In Elizabeth City: 1-0 (1.000)
Under Haines: First meeting
First meeting: 9/1/07 (W, 34-7)
Last meeting: 9/6/08 (W, 41-29)
Last 5: 2-0 | WW
Last 10: 2-0 | WW
Notables: Catawba defeated 22nd-ranked Elizabeth City State in Week 2 of their 11-2 season in 2007, later winning the SAC title and an NCAA Play-off game that year
GAME NOTES
- First game under first-year head coach Tyler Haines
- Preston Brown will make his Catawba debut under center
- Charlotte transfer sat out the 2022 season due to injury
- Catawba is looking for its third-straight win in the season-opener
- Bo Pryor was named to the Preseason SAC All-Conference team at return specialist
- Returned 18 kicks for 600 yards and two touchdowns
- 33.3 kickoff return average ranked third in the country
- Also caught team-high 35 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns
- Conner McCarthy and Jordan Mitchell slot in as the other starting receivers, along with Coastal Carolina transfer Tate Davis at tight end and Lee Bracey Jr. at running back
- Catawba football ranks second in the SAC in all-time wins and all-time conference wins
- The last four Catawba head coaches each won their first game
- Catawba was picked 11th in the preseason SAC Coaches' poll, while ECSU was tabbed for eighth in the 12-team CIAA
- Haines helped lead Shepherd University to a national semifinal appearance as the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach in 2022
- The Rams ranked fifth in the country in scoring offense, led by quarterback Tyson Bagent, who recently earned the backup quarterback role with the Chicago Bears
- Shepherd's Haines-led offense featured four All-Americans
- Catawba opens up their 2023 season on the road, before having home games in four of the next five weeks
- Six of the 22 starters on offense and defense are new to Catawba, while eight will play the first-ever game in the blue and red
- Elizabeth City State finished 2-8 in 2022 with wins over Winston-Salem State and Lincoln (Pa.)
- The Vikings return their leading passer and rusher from last season, who were both freshman in 2022
2023 Schedule
September
Sat. 2 at Elizabeth City State 1 p.m.
Sat. 9 LIVINGSTONE 6 p.m.
COMMUNITY DAY
Sat. 12 MARS HILL* 6 p.m.
MILITARY/FIRST RESPONDER APPRECIATION NIGHT
Sat. 23 at Tusculum* 4 p.m.
Sat. 30 EMORY & HENRY* 6 p.m.
FAMILY WEEKEND
October
Sat. 7 WINGATE* 6 p.m.
CANCER AWARENESS/HOF
Sat. 14 at Newberry* 4 p.m.
Sat. 21 at Limestone* 2 p.m.
Sat. 28 BARTON* 4 p.m.
HOMECOMING/SENIOR DAY
November
Sat. 4 at Lenoir-Rhyne* 2 p.m.
Sat. 11 at Carson-Newman* 1 p.m.
*South Atlantic Conference game
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