NEWBERRY - Newberry College jumped out to a 28-6 lead in the first half, but had to hold off a fourth-quarter Elizabeth City State rally, to hold on for the 49-33 victory on Saturday afternoon in front of a crowd of 1,534 at Setzler Field.

The Indians move to 4-0 on the season, the first time since 1979 that a Newberry football team won the first four games of the season. ECSU drops to 3-1 on the season.

On Newberry�s first play from scrimmage, receiver Kelton Tindall took an end-around and raced down the sidelines for a 79-yard touchdown run, to give the Indians the 7-0 lead.

The Indians used a 10-play, 72-yard drive to take a 14-0 lead. Quarterback Josh Stepp capped off the drive with a 15-yard touchdown run.

The Vikings cut the lead to 14-6 when quarterback Curtis Rich completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Chris Carter in the second quarter. The Indians countered with a touchdown when Alex Haynes scored from two yards out to make it a 21-6 game.

The Indians used a key special teams play to set up their next score. Tindall came through the Viking punt protection unit to block the punt of ECSU Kevin Dodson, giving Newberry the ball at the five yard-line. On the first play, Stepp completed a five-yard touchdown pass to Charles Brandon to move the lead to 28-6.

The Indians scored touchdowns on their first two drives of the second half. Receiver Tymere Zimmerman hauled in a 20-yard touchdown fro Stepp to cap off a 14-play, 88 yard drive and giving Newberry a 35-6 lead. On the next drive, Stepp completed a pass to Tindall who outraced the Viking defense down the sidelines for a 27-yard touchdown reception while pushing the lead to 42-6.

The Vikings got back in the game, scoring 27 points in the frame. Rich found Carter once again for a 48-yard touchdown pass to make it 42-13. Newberry countered when Elvin Bussy forced a fumble on a punt, which was recovered by Isaac Johnson, who returned it for a touchdown to push the score to 49-13.

The Vikings would go on to score three more touchdowns, but were unable to make a valiant rally as time expired.

The Indians totaled 477 yards of total offense and recorded 19 first downs on the day. The Indians won the time of possession battle, holding the ball for 35:22 to ECSU�s 24:38.

Haynes had a big day offensively for the Indians, rushing for 107 yards and accumulating 205 all-purpose yards on the afternoon. Stepp finished 15-of-23 with 209 yards and three touchdowns. He completed passes to six different receivers. Corey Seawell and Zimmerman led the way in terms of receptions with four each. Seawell was the high-man in yards with 90.

Defensively, Will Newell finished with seven tackles, four coming as solos. Jonathan Breaux finished with five tackles and three solos while Brandon Jones and Derrell Mills recorded a sack and interception, respectively.

Brandon Fields led the Vikings in rushing with 13 carries for 68 yards. Rich finished with 203 yards passing.