By MIKE POTTER, The Herald-Sun
Coming off a shutout victory last week, N.C. Central is hoping to build momentum for a fourth straight winning football season. But to stay on the right track, the Eagles are going to need to end a jinx today.
Today at 6 p.m. at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium, the Eagles (1-1) take on former CIAA rival St. Augustine's (0-1), which opened last week at home with a 22-9 loss to Mars Hill.
The Eagles, in their first season in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) should be solid favorites against the Division II Falcons except for one thing: They haven't beaten St. Aug's at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium since 1964.
Of course that has a lot to do with St. Aug's nearly 40 years without football until Coach Mike Costa began the revival in 2002. But the Eagles haven't beaten Costa in Durham yet.
Two seasons ago, the Falcons won 22-8 on homecoming day to ruin what otherwise would have been a perfect season. That was NCCU's last regular-season loss at home.
Rison, who is in his first season as NCCU head coach, was offensive coordinator last season when the Eagles held on to win 27-18 in Raleigh.
"Because of where we are and the fact that we're defending [Black College] national champions, if they beat North Carolina Central in our stadium, it would do a lot for their program," Rison said.
And aside from the rivalry, Rison said he has a lot of respect for Costa's program, especially the Falcons' defense.
"I have concerns about their whole defensive front," Rison said. "They're big, physical, they run well and they're veteran players. It may be the best defensive front we'll see all year. We need to find a way to slow down their pass rush."
Costa said he'd like to see the series continue regardless of any success NCCU has in the higher division.
"It's definitely a game we want to play," Costa said. "North Carolina Central was in the CIAA for a long time, and we still consider them part of the CIAA family. Both schools are right here in the Triangle and a lot of the kids know each other. I think the game is good for both programs."
Costa said one of his main concerns is the play of NCCU's sophomore quarterback Stadford Brown, who was a Black College All-American last season and is 12-2 as a starter.
"He can make a lot of plays," Costa said. "We're going to have to get pressure on him.
"We're going to have to avoid turnovers and do a good job in the kicking game."
NOTES -- The Falcons had 220 yards total offense against Mars Hill. Junior Brandon Franklin completed 11 of 32 passes for 132 yards with three interceptions and rushed for 38 yards in the game, while Tim Lovick caught five passes for 81 yards and returned two kickoffs for 43 yards. ... The Eagles lead the series 25-2-1. ... NCCU has three starters from Raleigh. Senior linebackers Derrick and Eric Ray and offensive tackle Azu Alaribe are Millbrook High graduates. ... Eagles kicker Brandon Gilbert, who is the school's all-time leading scorer and has hit 83 straight extra points, is listed as questionable, as is starting running back Jeff Toliver. ... The Eagles have won 13 straight games against CIAA teams.
Coming off a shutout victory last week, N.C. Central is hoping to build momentum for a fourth straight winning football season. But to stay on the right track, the Eagles are going to need to end a jinx today.
Today at 6 p.m. at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium, the Eagles (1-1) take on former CIAA rival St. Augustine's (0-1), which opened last week at home with a 22-9 loss to Mars Hill.
The Eagles, in their first season in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) should be solid favorites against the Division II Falcons except for one thing: They haven't beaten St. Aug's at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium since 1964.
Of course that has a lot to do with St. Aug's nearly 40 years without football until Coach Mike Costa began the revival in 2002. But the Eagles haven't beaten Costa in Durham yet.
Two seasons ago, the Falcons won 22-8 on homecoming day to ruin what otherwise would have been a perfect season. That was NCCU's last regular-season loss at home.
Rison, who is in his first season as NCCU head coach, was offensive coordinator last season when the Eagles held on to win 27-18 in Raleigh.
"Because of where we are and the fact that we're defending [Black College] national champions, if they beat North Carolina Central in our stadium, it would do a lot for their program," Rison said.
And aside from the rivalry, Rison said he has a lot of respect for Costa's program, especially the Falcons' defense.
"I have concerns about their whole defensive front," Rison said. "They're big, physical, they run well and they're veteran players. It may be the best defensive front we'll see all year. We need to find a way to slow down their pass rush."
Costa said he'd like to see the series continue regardless of any success NCCU has in the higher division.
"It's definitely a game we want to play," Costa said. "North Carolina Central was in the CIAA for a long time, and we still consider them part of the CIAA family. Both schools are right here in the Triangle and a lot of the kids know each other. I think the game is good for both programs."
Costa said one of his main concerns is the play of NCCU's sophomore quarterback Stadford Brown, who was a Black College All-American last season and is 12-2 as a starter.
"He can make a lot of plays," Costa said. "We're going to have to get pressure on him.
"We're going to have to avoid turnovers and do a good job in the kicking game."
NOTES -- The Falcons had 220 yards total offense against Mars Hill. Junior Brandon Franklin completed 11 of 32 passes for 132 yards with three interceptions and rushed for 38 yards in the game, while Tim Lovick caught five passes for 81 yards and returned two kickoffs for 43 yards. ... The Eagles lead the series 25-2-1. ... NCCU has three starters from Raleigh. Senior linebackers Derrick and Eric Ray and offensive tackle Azu Alaribe are Millbrook High graduates. ... Eagles kicker Brandon Gilbert, who is the school's all-time leading scorer and has hit 83 straight extra points, is listed as questionable, as is starting running back Jeff Toliver. ... The Eagles have won 13 straight games against CIAA teams.
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