DURHAM, North Carolina -- The North Carolina Central University football team celebrated senior day in victory, taking down the Hornets of Delaware State University, 43-10, on Saturday, Nov. 7 in O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
After Saturday's victory, NCCU (6-3, 5-1) created its first five-game winning streak since 2006.
Eagles' kicker Nigel Macauley tied the school record for single-season field goals with three against Delaware State (0-9, 0-6) for a total of 16. The record was originally set in 2005 by Brandon Gilbert.
NCCU quarterback Malcolm Bell threw for 121 yards and one touchdown, while David Miller had six receptions for 77 yards, and a touchdown of his own from senior quarterback Quinn Billerman.
The Eagles' defense took the field in domination after kickoff. Redshirt junior Darius Spruill had a season-high three sacks on Saturday, two of which were on the opening drive against the Hornets.
NCCU running back Dorrel McClain gave the Eagles an early 7-0 lead with his first touchdown reception of the season. McClain also accounted for 120 rushing yards.
Shortly after the Eagle touchdown, a fumble recovery by Roderick Harris gave NCCU another opportunity to get in the end zone. Instead, the Eagles went for a 41-yard field goal attempt, but the kick was no good.
The second quarter presented a light for the Hornets with Bryce Alleyne running the ball in the end zone from three yards out, evening the battle with NCCU at seven.
As proven, the Eagles had a response. Bell completed a 32-yard pass to Armani Lanier, setting the Eagles up for one of two touchdowns by senior Kevin Thompson.
Thompson's touchdown and Macauley's extra point returned the lead to the Eagles at 14-7 with 8:07 remaining in the first half.
The Hornets were not defeated yet. Delaware State managed to block Nathaniel Tilque's punt and recovered the ball at the NCCU 1-yard line. The blocked punt made for the first in Tilque's career, and led the Hornets to a field goal from Wisdom Nzidee, cutting the Eagle lead to 14-10.
The Hornets seemed challenged in holding on to the football, as they fumbled on a punt return and NCCU senior Theo Livingston recovered the ball at the Delaware State 15-yard line. The recovery made way for another Eagles' score, thanks to a 25-yard field goal from Macauley.
The Eagles were on top of the Hornets at halftime, 17-10.
Jonathan Williams got the Eagles going in the third quarter, returning the opening kickoff for 54 yards. As a result, Macauley was set up for consecutive field-goal attempts; both were good and the Eagles went ahead 23-10 against the Hornets.
NCCU held Delaware State scoreless in the second half, but continued their domination with a 61-yard punt return touchdown from Lavontis Smith, upping the Eagles' edge to 29-10.
The Eagles put a finish on the Hornets with Thompson's second touchdown of the day and Miller's 17-yard touchdown reception from Billerman. The clock headed toward zero and the final score read 43-10 in O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
NCCU travels to Washington, D.C. to face Howard University on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 1 p.m.
Written by Staci Green, NCCU student assistant
North Carolina Central University Sports Information
No comments:
Post a Comment