Wilkins Sparks NCCU as Eagles Spoil Savannah State Homecoming

SAVANNAH, Ga. – North Carolina Central University sophomore Adrian Wilkins amassed 241 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, including a 73-yard punt return touchdown late in the second quarter to put the Eagles on top and sap the energy from the Savannah State Tigers and their homecoming crowd.  NCCU held the Tigers scoreless the rest of the way to snap a two-game losing skid with a 24-10 road victory inside Ted Wright Stadium in Savannah, Ga.

A sophomore out of Forest City, N.C., Wilkins caught nine passes for 105 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown from redshirt-freshman quarterback Malcolm Bell in the third quarter, while also tallying 82 punt return yards and 54 kickoff return yards. Wilkins is the first 100-yard receiver for NCCU since Demario Lackey tallied 100 yards receiving against Hampton in 2011.

Bell, making his first career start under center, completed 14-of-30 passes for 174 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, while also running for 33 yards with a 6-yard touchdown scamper in the first quarter.



NCCU junior Andre Clarke pounded out 140 ground yards on 20 carries to become the first Eagle running back to reach the century-mark since he accomplished the feat against Savannah State last season.

A stingy NCCU defense was topped by senior linebacker Tazmon Foster with 11 tackles, while junior linebacker Tiron Guion added eight stops with an assisted sack and a pass break-up. Two first-year NCCU defensive backs, Cam Sullivan and Hakiem Swann, each intercepted passes in the second half to help shut down the Tigers.

In the first half, Savannah State quarterback Antonio Bostick threw for 209 yards and a score on 22-of-31 passing. He was just 2-of-18 for 10 yards with two interceptions after intermission.

NCCU (4-4, 2-2 MEAC) recorded 411 yards of total offense, including 237 yards rushing. Savannah State (1-8, 0-5 MEAC) finished with 382 total yards, but only 90 of those yards came in the second half.

The Eagles return home to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 2 to host defending MEAC champion Bethune-Cookman at 12 noon on ESPNews.

Box Score            

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION