THE GAME
Howard University "Bison" vs. North Carolina Central University "Eagles"
THE KICKOFF
Saturday, October 6, 2018 – Kickoff at 2:00 p.m.
THE SITE
O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium (10,000 capacity / Mondoturf) - Durham, N.C.
THE RECORDS
Howard (1-2 overall; 1-0 MEAC); N.C. Central (1-3 overall, 0-1 MEAC)
MEDIA COVERAGE
Audio: NCCU Sports Network "GameCentral" at NCCUEaglePride.com (internet stream). Broadcast starts at 2:00 p.m. (Carter Woodiel, play-by-play).
Video: ESPN3 (WatchESPN).
GAME NOTES PDF
QUICK HITS
• NCCU leads the series with Howard 12-9-1, including six straight victories.
• 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 are No. 1 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 third in the MEAC with 33 tackles (8.2 per game).
• The Eagles rank third in the nation (Division I-FCS) in turnovers lost with just one, an interception in the first game of the season.
• NCCU ranks fourth in the NCAA Division I-FCS in tackles for loss with an average of 9.0 per game.
• Howard tops the MEAC with an average of 480.3 yards of total offense per game, including a conference-high 330.0 passing yards per contest (6th in FCS).
• Howard quarterback Caylin Newton, who has an older brother that plays in the NFL, leads the league in total offense (357.7 total yards per game/#2 in FCS) and passing (299.7 passing yards per game/#7 in FCS).
• Howard boasts the top two receivers in the MEAC in Kyle Anthony (19 receptions, 204 yards, 3 TD) and Jequez Ezzard (16 receptions, 372 yards, 2 TD).
• 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.
ABOUT NCCU FOOTBALL
NCCU won three consecutive MEAC championships from 2014-16, and represented the MEAC in the 2016 Celebration Bowl versus Grambling in the Georgia Dome.
NCCU Recent Records:
2017: 7-4 overall, 5-3 MEAC
2016: 9-3 overall, 8-0 MEAC – MEAC champions
2015: 8-3 overall, 7-1 MEAC – MEAC co-champions
2014: 7-5 overall, 6-2 MEAC – MEAC co-champions
THE SERIES
This will be the 23rd meeting between the Eagles and the Bison. NCCU leads the series 12-9-1. The Eagles have won six in-a-row against Howard.
Series Between NCCU Eagles and Howard Bison:
10/7/2017 - NCCU 13, Howard 7 (Washington, D.C.)
11/12/2016 - NCCU 30, Howard 21 (Durham, N.C.)
11/14/2015 - NCCU 41, Howard 6 (Washington, D.C.)
10/04/2014 - NCCU 27, Howard 22 (Durham, N.C.)
10/05/2013 - NCCU 37, Howard 28 (Washington, D.C.)
09/16/1995 - NCCU 37, Howard 32 (Washington, D.C.)
10/15/1994 - Howard 35, NCCU 19 (Durham, N.C.)
11/10/1979 - Howard 31, NCCU 20 (Durham, N.C.)
11/11/1978 - Howard 24, NCCU 17 (Washington, D.C.)
11/12/1977 - Howard 33, NCCU 0 (Durham, N.C.)
11/13/1976 - Howard 22, NCCU 21 (Washington, D.C.)
11/15/1975 - Howard 41, NCCU 10 (Durham, N.C.)
11/16/1974 - (tie) Howard 17, NCCU 17 (Durham, N.C.)
11/10/1973 - NCCU 10, Howard 7 (Durham, N.C.)
11/11/1972 - NCCU 14, Howard 13 (Washington, D.C.)
11/13/1971 - NCCU 42, Howard 18 (Durham, N.C.)
10/26/1940 - NCCU 14, Howard 0 (Washington, D.C.)
10/28/1939 - NCCU 19, Howard 0 (Durham, N.C.)
11/17/1934 - NCCU 7, Howard 6 (Washington, D.C.)
11/18/1933 - Howard 7, NCCU 0 (Durham, N.C.)
11/08/1930 - Howard 6, NCCU 2 (Washington, D.C.)
10/31/1925 - Howard 70, NCCU 0 (Washington, D.C.)
THE LAST MEETING
(NCCU 13, Howard 7 - Washington, D.C. - Oct. 7, 2017) 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 captured a 13-7 road victory over Howard University. After Bison quarterback Caylin Newton connected with receiver Damion Gillespie for a 75-yard touchdown at 2:18 in the first quarter, NCCU used an interception by linebacker Reggie Hunter to set up a field goal by Aedan Johnson on the final play of the second quarter, sending Howard to the locker room with a 7-6 lead. NCCU safety Davanta Reynolds recorded a takeaway for the fourth straight contest with an interception, leading to the game-winning 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chauncey Caldwell to receiver Jacen Murphy at 7:32 of the third quarter. The Eagles held Howard, averaging more than 30 points per game, to just seven points. Isaiah Totten rushed for a game-high 112 yards for the Eagles, while Caldwell ran for 89 yards and threw for 119 yards.
THE LAST MEETING IN DURHAM
(NCCU 30, Howard 21 - Durham, N.C. - Nov. 12, 2016) NCCU quarterback Malcolm Bell amassed 345 yards of total offense and accounted for three touchdowns to lead the No. 25 Eagles to a 30-21 victory over Howard inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. NCCU finished the contest with 477 yards of total offense (254 rushing, 223 passing), while Howard posted 422 total yards. The Bison were topped by running back Anthony Philyaw with 139 yards and a touchdown rushing and 45 yards receiving for 184 all-purpose yards.
LAST WEEK
Florida A&M 55, NCCU 14 (Durham, N.C.) - North Carolina Central University scored a touchdown on the game's opening possession, but Florida A&M University posted 48 unanswered points to cruise to a 55-14 road victory over the Eagles on Saturday at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. Sophomore running back Jordan Freeman accounted for both NCCU touchdowns, rushing nine times for 77 yards and a score, and catching four passes for 30 yards with a trip to the end zone. Defensively, NCCU senior safety Davanta Reynolds registered a game-high eight tackles, including 1.5 hits for a loss. Senior lineman Darius Royster now has 10.0 stops behind the line of scrimmage this season after tallying a sack and four takedowns against the Rattler. Randy Anyanwu and Chuck Manning collected 2.0 hits for a loss apiece. Florida A&M amassed 509 yards of total offense and held NCCU to 280 total yards. Besides passing for 254 yards and four touchdowns (all courtesy of quarterback Ryan Stanley), and rushing for 255 yards and two scores, the Rattlers also blocked a punt and scooped up the loose ball for a touchdown.
Howard 41, Bethune-Cookman 35 (Indianapolis) - In a contest that saw momentum swing back-and-forth, Howard outlasted Bethune-Cookman, 41-35, in the 35th annual Circle City Classic. With the victory, Howard secured its first victory of the season in their MEAC opener. Howard utilized a balance attack while converting 55-percent (11-of-20) on third and fourth downs. Overall, the Bison posted 526 total yards (301 passing yards and 225 rushing yards). Josiah Crute led the way, rushing for 83 yards on 11 carries, including two TDs. Second-year signal caller Caylin Newton (Atlanta) threw for 301 yards (20-of-32) with two passing touchdowns in the victory.
THE COACHES
NCCU: Granville Eastman (Saint Mary's, 1992) is in his first season as a college head coach. With 20 years of collegiate coaching experience to his credit, Eastman joined the NCCU staff in January 2014, serving as assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and safeties coach until his promotion to interim head coach on Dec. 8, 2017. Prior to joining NCCU, Eastman spent nine seasons (2005-13) as the defensive coordinator at Austin Peay State University in Clarkesville, Tennessee. During his 11 total seasons at APSU, he coached defensive backs and linebackers, and also served as special teams coordinator (2003-04) and interim head coach (winter 2013). Eastman coached four seasons (1999-2002) at Tiffin University in Ohio, including the last three seasons as defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator, while working with defensive backs and defensive line during his tenure. A native of Toronto, Canada, Eastman secured his first coaching position at York University in his hometown, where he spent two seasons (1994-95) working with defensive backs. He then served as a defensive graduate assistant for three seasons (1996-98) at Arkansas State University, earning a master's degree in sociology in 1999. Eastman was a two-time all-city defensive back at Stephen Leacock High School in Toronto before attending Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he was a three-year letterman as a defensive back. Twice Saint Mary's played in national title games while he was there. Eastman earned his bachelor's degree from Saint Mary's University in 1992.
Howard: Mike London is in his second season as head coach at Howard. London joined Howard after serving as an associate head coach/defensive line coach for the University of Maryland Terrapins. Before coaching the Terrapins, he was the head coach at the University of Virginia and the University of Richmond, respectfully, for eight seasons. A highly-regarded recruiter, London helped bring in four top-35 classes during his tenure in Charlottesville. London led Virginia to an 8-5 season in 2011 and was named ACC Coach of the Year. As the head coach at Richmond (2008-09), London captured 24 wins and led the Spiders to the FCS Championship in his first season. He helped 28 Spiders achieve all-conference honors in just two seasons. London played defensive back at Richmond (1979-1982) before playing one season for the Dallas Cowboys.
EAGLES TURN DEFENSE, SPECIAL TEAMS INTO POINTS
Since the start of the 2012 season, the Eagles have demonstrated a knack for finding the end zone when the offense is off the field. In the past 73 games, NCCU has scored 38 touchdowns on defense and special teams, including two this season, three in 2017, three in 2016, six in 2015, five in 2014, nine in 2013 and 10 in 2012. In that time, the Eagles have made trips to the end zone on 14 punt returns, six kickoff returns, three blocked field goal returns, 11 interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
NINE NCCU EAGLES VOTED TO PRESEASON ALL-MEAC TEAMS
Nine NCCU Eagles were voted to the Preseason All-MEAC Football Teams. Earning All-MEAC First Team honors for NCCU are Preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year senior defensive back Davanta Reynolds, sophomore running back Isaiah Totten, junior offensive lineman Nick Leverett, and junior defensive lineman Kawuan Cox. Three NCCU Eagles on the Preseason All-MEAC Second Team are senior tight end Josh McCoy, sophomore offensive lineman Andrew Dale, and senior defensive lineman Randy Anyanwu. Receiving Preseason All-MEAC Third Team honors are junior wide receiver Xavier McKoy and senior defensive back De'Mario Evans.
THREE NCCU EAGLES ON HBCU PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST
Three NCCU Eagles – senior safety Davanta Reynolds, sophomore running back Isaiah Totten and freshman running back Jamal Currie-Elliott - are among the 52 student-athletes from 25 different HBCUs to be named to the 2018 Watch List for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced Wednesday. The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University. The winner of the 2018 Black College Football Player of the Year Award will be honored with the Deacon Jones Trophy during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which takes place on Feb. 16, 2019 in Atlanta. Four finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 29.
FOUR EAGLES ALREADY EARNED UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES
Four NCCU student-athletes on this season's football team have already earned their undergraduate degrees: OL Nick Leverett, LB King Kiaku, DB Jamarcus Johnson, and WR Marvin Zanders (graduate transfer from Missouri).
LEVERETT RECOGNIZED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
NCCU offensive lineman Nick Leverett is one of only 22 college football players selected for distinguished recognition on the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, as announced by Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association. The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® has been one of the most esteemed honors in college football for more than 25 years, celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of college football student-athletes on the field, in the classroom and in the community. A native of Concord, North Carolina, Leverett is a two-time All-MEAC offensive lineman and team captain, a three-year graduate with a degree in criminal justice and a 3.37 overall grade point average, a campus leader, and an active participant in community service. Two other NCCU football student-athletes have earned distinction on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® in recent years, Jordan Reid (current NCCU running backs coach) in 2013 and Carl Jones in 2016.
LONG SNAPPER SCHLECKER EARNS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA HONOR
NCCU senior long snapper Erik Schlecker was named to the HERO Sports 2018 FCS Preseason All-American Team. A native of Sunrise, Florida, Schlecker earned a spot on the FCS Preseason All-American Third Team for achieving a 99 percent success rate on his snaps with only one errant snap in the past two seasons at NCCU. The transfer from ASA College also boasts a snap time average of 0.75 seconds. To his credit, each NCCU teammate Schlecker has snapped for during the 2016 and 2017 seasons – two placekickers and a punter – has garnered all-conference recognition.
ABOUT NCCU FOOTBALL
North Carolina Central University is in its eighth season of full NCAA Division I (FCS) athletics competition as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Eagles have won 13 conference championships as members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1953, 1954, 1956, 1961, 1963, 1980, 2005, 2006) and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (1972, 1973, 2014, 2015, 2016), and have made three appearances in the NCAA playoffs (1988, 2005, 2006). The Eagles won back-to-back football conference championships and a Black College National Championship in their final two years in the Division II ranks (2005 and 2006) before starting the transition to Division I in 2007. During its storied gridiron tradition, NCCU has produced 140 all-conference selections (first team), 67 all-Americans, 41 NFL draft picks, 13 conference championships and two Black College National Championships (1954, 2006). Two Eagles have represented NCCU on the National Football League's grandest stage - the Super Bowl. The first NCCU Eagle to make a Super Bowl appearance was Richard Sligh, who was a reserve tackle with the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II against the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 14, 1968. Sligh, who holds the distinction as the tallest player in NFL history (7'0"), played at NCCU from 1962-64 and was later drafted by the Raiders in the 10th round of the 1967 NFL draft. On Jan. 24, 1982, former NCCU Eagle Louis Breeden was a starting cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI against the San Francisco 49ers. Earlier in the season (Nov. 8, 1981), Breeden intercepted a pass thrown by San Diego Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts and returned it a team-record 102 yards for a touchdown. The following year, he was selected as a First-Team All-Pro. He completed his 10-year NFL career with 33 interceptions for 558 return yards and two touchdowns. The first Eagle selected in the NFL Draft was Matt Boone, who was taken by the Giants with the eighth pick in the 18th round in 1956. The latest Eagle announced during the NFL Draft was Ryan Smith, who was chosen by the Buccaneers in the fourth round in 2016. NCCU's highest draft pick was Doug Wilkerson, who was selected in the first round with the 14th overall pick of the 1970 NFL Draft by the Oilers. The Eagles have also had three second-round NFL draft picks, including Robert Massey in 1989 by the Saints, Charles Smith in 1975 by the Broncos and Chuck Hinton in 1962 by the Browns. HBCU football pioneer John Brown, who represented NCCU (then North Carolina College) on the gridiron in the 1940s, was one of the first to play professional football out of a historically black college or university. Brown shares the honor with Ezzret Anderson of Kentucky State and Elmore Harris of Morgan State, who all began their professional football careers in 1947. Brown and Anderson were teammates on the Los Angeles Dons, while Harris was a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers. According to NCCU records, Brown was the first of the three to sign a professional football contract. He played center and linebacker with the Dons from 1947-49, before moving to the Canadian Football League.
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
LORMAN, Mississippi -- Historically, the Alcorn State University football program selects different team captains each week for the pregame coin toss.
Pecoraro left that summer for a position at Southern Miss, and Cedric Thomas was named Alcorn's defensive coordinator.
