NCCU Dominates Savannah State Tigers, 42-14

DURHAM, North Carolina -- The North Carolina Central University football team created an explosive 42-14 victory against the Savannah State University Tigers Saturday, Oct. 25 in O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

NCCU junior wide receiver Anas Hasic had a game-high and season-best of 174 receiving yards; the most by an Eagle since Oct. 3, 2009, when Will Scott accumulated 179. Hasic also managed three touchdowns with 10 catches during Saturday's showdown.

Eagles quarterback Malcolm Bell passed for 287 yards and was responsible for five out of the six NCCU touchdowns. Saturday's game was Bell's sixth straight contest with more than 200 passing yards and a touchdown.

"I think our team is making strides in the right direction on offense, defense, and special teams," said NCCU head coach Jerry Mack. "They went out there and executed our game-plan to the best of their ability, and that's all I ask for from those guys."

The Tigers were hungry for a win, sitting 0-4 in the MEAC and 0-7 overall, but the NCCU defense—led by Jordan Miles with 10 tackles and 1.5 for a loss—would only allow one touchdown in the first half.

Savannah State quarterback Tino Smith II executed a 56-yard touchdown pass on third down and 18 with 2:06 remaining in first-quarter play.

The Eagles were scoreless in the first quarter, but refused to remain silent as their second quarter opening drive resulted in a tight, six-yard touchdown catch by Hasic. With the extra kick from Eric Fenton, the Eagles and Tigers were tied up at seven with 12:41 on the clock in the first half.

A quarterback sack by Miles and Tre Smith pushed the Tigers back to third down and 18, yet again, only this time the Tigers were unsuccessful on their conversion as the clock ticked down to 5:23.

Bell capped the first half scoring with a one-yard rushing touchdown after 12 plays and 74 yards, leaving only 12.7 seconds until halftime. NCCU took the lead over Savannah State at 14-7 by the end of the second quarter.

With 9:49 left in the third quarter, Bell launched a 50-yard touchdown pass to Hasic, who slipped just past a tackle to run it in the end zone. Hasic's connection with Bell gave the Eagles their 21-7 lead over the Tigers.

The Eagles didn't stop. Bell broke free for a six-yard touchdown continuing the domination and widening the score to 28-7 with 4:16 in the remainder of the quarter.

Michael Jones caught a leaping interception in the end zone with 2:59 to play in the third, but the Tigers decided they weren't going to give up just yet.

On a 47-yard punt by Nathaniel Tilque, Savannah State's Ker-Sean Wilson returned the ball for 54 yards. Two plays and 15 yards later, the Tigers trimmed the lead to 28-14.

Lineman Felix Small contributed to the NCCU defense with seven tackles and three sacks, giving him the most in the last 15 years.

NCCU's fourth quarter was a success, holding the Tigers scoreless and bringing about two more touchdowns.

Andre Clarke got some touchdown action with a two-yard run into the end zone early in the fourth quarter, followed by Hasic's third touchdown of the day with 4:28 left in the game.

Savannah State running back Richard Williams ran around the NCCU defense with 87 rushing yards and 58 receiving yards, but couldn't give the Tigers enough to come out on top.

NCCU finished the game at 42-14 against the Savannah State Tigers, and will return to the field in Daytona Beach, Florida against MEAC opponent Bethune-Cookman Saturday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m.

Written by Staci Green
COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION