By MIKE POTTER, The Herald-Sun
Date: SEPT. 29, NCCU vs. PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE, "Youth Day - Open House" DURHAM, NC, O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium 2:00 P.M.,
Watch--Internet TV: http://www.jarvistv.com/nccu/
Podcast: http://web.nccu.edu/campus/athletics/audio.html
Folks around the N.C. Central football program are starting to call linebackers Derrick and Eric Ray "The Bruise Brothers."
And that's not just blowing smoke.
The senior fraternal twins from Raleigh's Millbrook High, each of whom started his college football elsewhere before joining the Eagles, are a couple of the stalwarts of a defense that has been among the best in Black College football ever since they joined the program.
And they're coming off one of the biggest games of their careers. Derrick's 23-yard interception return gave the Eagles the lead for good, while Eric's pickoff at the goal line with 14 seconds left sealed the outcome in their 27-22 victory at North Carolina A&T on Saturday night.
The Eagles will be looking for more big plays Saturday at 2 p.m., when they host Presbyterian (1-3) at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. It's a battle between the only two football teams in their first season in the Football Championship Subdivision.
"We've been looking forward to this for a while," Derrick said. "Playing against [FCS] schools is good competition for us, and it shows us how good a team we are."
NCCU is 33-6 since Derrick joined the team in 2004 and 25-4 with Eric, who joined the Eagles a season later.
The A&T game marked the second time the brothers each have had an interception in a game for the Eagles. The other game was in the 2005 overtime win at Lenoir-Rhyne, including one that Derrick returned for a touchdown.
During their senior year in high school, each had a return for a TD in a game against Enloe.
"Any time we each get one in the same game, it's really special -- especially if we win the game," Eric said. "Words can't really explain how it feels."
Derrick (6-0, 215), who began his college career at South Carolina, plays the "Sam" linebacker spot. Eric (6-0, 235), who first played college football at Winston-Salem State, is at the "Mike" position. And both have been piling up the statistics for the Eagles (4-1).
Eric, who was born first by a few minutes, has been in on 25 tackles including six for losses, with the interceptions, a deflection and a forced fumble. Derrick has been in on 26 tackles including eight for losses, with two sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two breakups.
"Those two guys have lots of energy and enthusiasm and are among our leaders," first-year NCCU coach Mose Rison said. "They both help make us a good football team. And every time we play a game, we know at least one of them is going to make a huge play for us."
Derrick has been in on 155 career tackles, while Eric has 111 in an often injury-plagued career.
"Derrick is real emotional when he's on the field," Eric said. "He does a good job getting our team ready to play."
Derrick, whose pregame bus ritual includes hip-hop dance antics that reportedly put teammates in stitches, said of his brother: "He's fearless. I'm just glad he's on our side."
Derrick, who is majoring in accounting, said he had always been good at math and refused to listen when others warned him the major would be too hard. Eric is majoring in criminal justice.
"I always wanted to know how the criminal mind works," Eric said.
The sons of Otis and Sandra Ray said they expect their parents to be among about 15 family members at Saturday's game.
The contingent unfailingly includes older brother Brian, who played college football and has followed his brothers to road games including at Southern and Albany State.
"He's everywhere," Derrick and Eric said of Brian. "It's great to have that kind of support."
NOTES -- Saturday's game will be the Eagles' first against the Blue Hose. They will visit Presbyterian next season. … In Black College polls, the Eagles are No. 8 in TSPNSports.com and No. 10 in BoxtoRow
Date: SEPT. 29, NCCU vs. PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE, "Youth Day - Open House" DURHAM, NC, O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium 2:00 P.M.,
Watch--Internet TV: http://www.jarvistv.com/nccu/
Podcast: http://web.nccu.edu/campus/athletics/audio.html
Folks around the N.C. Central football program are starting to call linebackers Derrick and Eric Ray "The Bruise Brothers."
And that's not just blowing smoke.
The senior fraternal twins from Raleigh's Millbrook High, each of whom started his college football elsewhere before joining the Eagles, are a couple of the stalwarts of a defense that has been among the best in Black College football ever since they joined the program.
And they're coming off one of the biggest games of their careers. Derrick's 23-yard interception return gave the Eagles the lead for good, while Eric's pickoff at the goal line with 14 seconds left sealed the outcome in their 27-22 victory at North Carolina A&T on Saturday night.
The Eagles will be looking for more big plays Saturday at 2 p.m., when they host Presbyterian (1-3) at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. It's a battle between the only two football teams in their first season in the Football Championship Subdivision.
"We've been looking forward to this for a while," Derrick said. "Playing against [FCS] schools is good competition for us, and it shows us how good a team we are."
NCCU is 33-6 since Derrick joined the team in 2004 and 25-4 with Eric, who joined the Eagles a season later.
The A&T game marked the second time the brothers each have had an interception in a game for the Eagles. The other game was in the 2005 overtime win at Lenoir-Rhyne, including one that Derrick returned for a touchdown.
During their senior year in high school, each had a return for a TD in a game against Enloe.
"Any time we each get one in the same game, it's really special -- especially if we win the game," Eric said. "Words can't really explain how it feels."
Derrick (6-0, 215), who began his college career at South Carolina, plays the "Sam" linebacker spot. Eric (6-0, 235), who first played college football at Winston-Salem State, is at the "Mike" position. And both have been piling up the statistics for the Eagles (4-1).
Eric, who was born first by a few minutes, has been in on 25 tackles including six for losses, with the interceptions, a deflection and a forced fumble. Derrick has been in on 26 tackles including eight for losses, with two sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two breakups.
"Those two guys have lots of energy and enthusiasm and are among our leaders," first-year NCCU coach Mose Rison said. "They both help make us a good football team. And every time we play a game, we know at least one of them is going to make a huge play for us."
Derrick has been in on 155 career tackles, while Eric has 111 in an often injury-plagued career."Derrick is real emotional when he's on the field," Eric said. "He does a good job getting our team ready to play."
Derrick, whose pregame bus ritual includes hip-hop dance antics that reportedly put teammates in stitches, said of his brother: "He's fearless. I'm just glad he's on our side."
Derrick, who is majoring in accounting, said he had always been good at math and refused to listen when others warned him the major would be too hard. Eric is majoring in criminal justice.
"I always wanted to know how the criminal mind works," Eric said.
The sons of Otis and Sandra Ray said they expect their parents to be among about 15 family members at Saturday's game.
The contingent unfailingly includes older brother Brian, who played college football and has followed his brothers to road games including at Southern and Albany State.
"He's everywhere," Derrick and Eric said of Brian. "It's great to have that kind of support."
NOTES -- Saturday's game will be the Eagles' first against the Blue Hose. They will visit Presbyterian next season. … In Black College polls, the Eagles are No. 8 in TSPNSports.com and No. 10 in BoxtoRow
No comments:
Post a Comment