NCCU Weekly Press Conference: Week 8 at Norfolk State

DURHAM. North Carolina  -- The North Carolina Central University football program held its weekly press conference on Tguesday, Oct. 16 ahead of the Eagles' MEAC contest at Norfolk State on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 2:00 p.m. at Dick Price Stadium. Hear from interim head coach Granville Eastman and student-athlete Chauncey Caldwell as they discuss the upcoming game, and flashback to the victory over Howard.
GAME NOTES

THE GAME
North Carolina Central University "Eagles" vs. Norfolk State University "Spartans"

THE KICKOFF
Saturday, October 20, 2018 – Kickoff at 2:00 p.m.

THE SITE
William "Dick" Price Stadium (30,000 capacity / artificial turf) - Norfolk, Va.

THE RECORDS
N.C. Central (2-3 overall, 1-1 MEAC); Norfolk State (3-2 overall; 1-1 MEAC)

MEDIA COVERAGE
Audio: NCCU Sports Network "GameCentral" at NCCUEaglePride.com (internet stream). Broadcast starts at 1:40 p.m. (Jonathan Duren, play-by-play).
Video: ESPN3 (WatchESPN).

QUICK HITS
• Last season, Norfolk State ended NCCU's 18-game conference win streak, which was the second-longest active streak in NCAA Division I-FCS, and its 11-game home win streak, which was the longest in school history.
• Both teams enter the contest well-rested, coming off an open week, and have identical 1-1 MEAC records.
• Saturday will be the 16th meeting between the Eagles and the Spartans since the teams first met on Nov. 14, 1981. NCCU leads the series 9-6. Norfolk State's 28-21 victory in 2017 ended the Eagles' run of four straight wins over the Spartans.
• The Eagles rank No. 1 in the nation (Division I-FCS) in turnovers lost with just one, an interception in the first game of the season. NCCU and Norfolk State are tied for atop the MEAC in turnover margin (+0.80).
• NCCU leads the conference and ranks 21st in the NCAA Division I-FCS in tackles for loss with an average of 7.6 per game.
• Norfolk State has the No. 1 defense in the MEAC, allowing opponents only 270.0 yards per game. The Spartans rank second in the conference in scoring defense, surrendering only 16.4 points per contest.
• NCCU senior defensive lineman Darius Royster already has more tackles for loss than last season's team leaders (Roderick Harris and Antonio Brown with 8.5). Royster's 10.0 takedowns behind the line of scrimmage and three forced fumbles top the MEAC and are among the top-5 in the nation (Division I-FCS).
• NCCU senior safety Davanta Reynolds, the Preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the STATS FCS Preseason All-America Team (Second Team), ranks second in the MEAC with 45 tackles (9.0 per game).
• Since the start of the 2012 season, NCCU has scored 38 touchdowns on defense and special teams, including three defensive scores last year and two this season.
• NCCU is under the direction of first-year head coach Granville Eastman, who accepted the interim role after Jerry Mack left to be the offensive coordinator at Rice.
• NCCU received votes in the STATS FCS Top 25 preseason poll, after finishing last season with a 7-4 overall record.
• NCCU returns just nine starters (6 offense, 3 defense), but boasts nine members of the Preseason All-MEAC Team: First Team - DB Davanta Reynolds, RB Isaiah Totten, OL Nick Leverett, DL Kawuan Cox; Second Team - TE Josh McCoy, OL Andrew Dale, DL Randy Anyanwu; Third Team - WR Xavier McKoy, and DB De'Mario Evans.

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