NCCU Defense, Ground Attack Lifts Eagles over Howard

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A pair of takeaways resulted in 10 points for North Carolina Central University, including the game-winning touchdown in the third quarter, as the Eagles extend their MEAC win streak to 18 games with a 13-7 road victory over Howard University on Saturday in the nation's capital.

After Bison quarterback Caylin Newton connected with receiver Damion Gillespie for a 75-yard touchdown at 2:18 in the first quarter, NCCU (4-1, 3-0 MEAC) used an interception by linebacker Reggie Hunter to set up a field goal by Aedan Johnson, his second of the half, on the final play of the second quarter, sending Howard to the locker room with a 7-6 lead.

NCCU junior safety Davanta Reynolds recorded a takeaway for the fourth straight contest with an interception, leading to the game-winning 30-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Chauncey Caldwell to senior receiver Jacen Murphy at 7:32 of the third quarter.

The Eagles held Howard (2-3, 1-1 MEAC), averaging more than 30 points per game, to just seven points.

Redshirt-freshman Isaiah Totten rushed for a game-high 112 yards for the Eagles, while Caldwell ran for 89 yards and threw for 119 yards.

Up next, NCCU hosts the first of three consecutive home games against Gardner-Webb University on Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION