ROCKY MOUNT — Saint Augustine’s University almost rallied from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit but Elizabeth City State University held on for a 23-21 CIAA football victory at the Down East Viking Classic at the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex.

The Falcons (3-2, 1-1) still control their own destiny in a quest for a Southern Division title. The Vikings of the Northern Division, last year’s CIAA championship finalist, improved their record to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in the CIAA.

Tyron Laughinghouse, the NCAA Division II kick return leader, scored twice for the Falcons – on a 95-yard kickoff return and a 77-yard punt return – to keep the Falcons in the game. He finished with 248 total yards including 200 yards in returns, but the Vikings scored 16 points on special team miscues.

Laughinghouse scored on a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown and Brian Richards scored on a two-point conversion on a fake extra point attempt to slice the Vikings’ lead to 23-21 with 10:08 left in the game. The Falcons had two chances to take the lead but one drive ended in a fumble at the ECSU 37 and the last drive stalled on downs 12 seconds left in the game.

Elsewhere

Wofford 49, Elon 24: The Terriers used a career day by Eric Breitenstein’s Southern Conference single-game-record 321 rushing yards to win at Rhodes Stadium in Elon, N.C. Wofford (4-0, 2-0 SoCon) ran for a total of 500 yards.

Breitenstein had two touchdowns and Brian Kass ran for 57 yards and three touchdowns and threw a touchdown for Wofford. Elon (2-3, 0-2) was led by Thomas Wilson who was 31-of-47 passing for 322 yards and two touchdowns. Aaron Mellette had 13 catches for 177 yards and two touchdowns.

Appalachian State 55, Coastal Carolina 14: Jamal Jackson threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, and Steven Miller rushed for a career-high 202 yards and two scores as the Mountaineers routed the Chanticleers in Boone.

The Mountaineers (3-2) amassed 286 yards in the first quarter en route to a 21-0 lead and had 405 yards by halftime. They finished with 684 yards total offense, their highest total since gaining 712 in a 52-16 win over Georgia Southern on Oct. 24, 2009, while the Chanticleers (2-3) had 304.

Appalachian State had 399 yards rushing, with Miller scoring on runs of 3 and 75 yards among his 17 carries.

Jackson completed 19 of 27 passes for 285 yards. with Sean Price catching eight for 128 yards, including touchdown receptions of 69 and 9 yards. The freshman tied a school record with his third straight 100-yard receiving game.

Coastal Carolina’s Aramis Hillary passed for 145 yards and two touchdowns.