DURHAM, North Carolina -- North Carolina Central football has the chance to become the first team in program history to win three straight conference championships.
But while hoopla and high expectations surround the players and coaches, a small dark cloud hovers in the background.
It’s 2014: The Eagles were on the road at conference opponent Morgan State. On paper, the matchup was a no-brainer, but that’s why they play the game. NCCU lost 21-20 after leading 20-7 in the fourth quarter. NCCU wound up in a five-way tie for the title. Morgan won the tiebreaker and advanced to the NCAA Division I- FCS playoffs.
It’s 2015: The Eagles led two-time champion Bethune-Cookman by 19 points, but the Wildcats rallied to go ahead by two. On its last drive of the game, NCCU was within field goal range, but the kick was blocked. This time, there was a three-way tie for first, and bitter rival N.C. A&T got the tiebreaker and headed to the inaugural Air Force Celebration Bowl.
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