NCCU overwhelmed in 48-0 loss to Rutgers

Piscataway, N.J. -- In its first journey as a full-fledged member of the Division 1 FCS, North Carolina Central University experienced a few bumps in the road Thursday night.

The Eagles managed only 120 total yards, committed four turnovers and nine penalties in a 48-0 loss to Rutgers at High Point Solutions Stadium before 40,061. It was the first shutout suffered by NCCU since Winston-Salem State claimed a 47-0 win in 2003.

The Eagles were a “re-classified” member of the NCAA’s Division 1 since 2007, meaning they were not eligible for bowl games, statistics were not recognized by the NCAA and players could not receive post-season awards. They were also “provisional members” of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) operating with similar constraints to the NCAA.

Rutgers is now 8-0 against MEAC opponents, defeating Morgan State three times, Norfolk State and Howard twice each and NCCU.

The one-sided loss was brightened by a guaranteed $400,000 NCCU received from Rutgers for playing the game. The Scarlet Knights were selected to finish last in the BigEast by the conference coaches in the pre-season poll.

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Rutgers/NCCU Gameday: Scarlet Knights host North Carolina Central in season opener

Rutgers vs. North Carolina Central Eagles
Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
High Point Solutions Stadium, Piscataway
TV: ESPN3.com
Radio: 1450-AM, 710-AM, 97.5-FM

THE STORYLINES

1. Has Rutgers’ offensive line improved enough to make it through a game against an FCS opponent without yielding a sack? Norfolk State, a MEAC school like N.C. Central, recorded three sacks in last year’s opener against the Scarlet Knights — which should have been an immediate tip off to how much the unit would struggle that season. In allowing an NCAA record 61 sacks, Rutgers gave up at least one in all 12 games in 2010. The good news/bad news: Four of those O-line starters are back, but the return to a pro-style offense is supposed to help. N.C. Central, with five returning defensive starters, doesn’t have a player who recorded more than two sacks last season. A sack-free performance should be possible.



2. How much of heralded true freshman running back Savon Huggins will we see — especially with North Carolina waiting in nine days?  Huggins will get his share of playing time and may even start. He might get enough carries to flirt with 100 yards rushing in his collegiate debut, too. But don’t expect to see the wraps taken off Huggins just yet. It’s too soon. This is one of those games where the coaches want to get Huggins just enough of a feel for game action without revealing too much. It’s even possible, if the game is lopsided, that redshirt freshman Jawan Jamison will wind up with the most carries of all the tailbacks — almost all after halftime. It may be the only time this season that happens

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Rutgers Football vs. NCCU Eagles: Know Your Opponent

Piscataway, NJ - Welcome to the first installment of a new feature – Know Your Opponent (KYO). Each Tuesday we will conduct a question and answer session with a representative from the Scarlet Knights opponent during that week. This week we hooked up with Chris Hooks, the Assistant Sports Information Director for North Carolina Central University and Play-by-Play man for the NCCU Sports Network.

If you have a moment, make sure to check out the Durham based NCCU athletics website and twitter feed. I do have to admit I was very impressed with the Eagles media campaign, which includes You Tube interviews. The program appears to have a growing following and they are excited about having this opportunity to play at Rutgers. Enjoy:



As this is your first season being fully integrated into FCS football what are your expectations for the 2011 season?

This will be my fourth football season as the radio play-by-play voice at NCCU and I can say this and get no odd looks from the Eagle faithful. The anticipation for this year, the excitement of a new coaching staff who has already proven to be a winner in their previous stops has this fan base ready to explode. The last few years have been a real struggle for the fans and for this program only because the transition to Division I is not easy, but we’ve made it and that’s why expectations this year are such. Our fans are ready to have that hope for a championship like every other FCS school in the nation.

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Gold Nuggets lose eighth in a row, this time to Rutgers

NEW ORLEANS, LA — Rutgers completed its three-match trip to Louisiana with a 9-0 women's victory against Xavier University of Louisiana at the University of New Orleans Tennis Center.

The Scarlet Knights (8-4) won all three matches during their trip and gave Xavier (2-10), ranked 24th in the NAIA, its eighth consecutive loss.

Amy Zhang and Jennifer Holzberg defeated Amber Brown and Carmen Nelson at No. 1 doubles, and Zhang beat Brown 6-0, 6-1 at No. 1 singles. Xavier defaulted matches at No. 3 doubles and No. 5 and 6 singles for the fifth consecutive dual, and the Zhang-Holzberg doubles victory clinched for Rutgers.



Brown, a freshman, played No. 1 singles for the second time as a collegian. Teammate Melissa DeLoach, 2-0 in singles at the AUM Invitational this past weekend, lost 6-2, 6-0 to Leonora Slatnick at No. 4.

Four of the Gold Nuggets' losses during their streak are against NCAA Division I opponents.

It was the Gold Nuggets' first home match since Feb. 5 and their first-ever meeting with Rutgers. The Nuggets' next match will start at 3 p.m. Tuesday against SCAD Atlanta at UNO.

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