North Carolina Central University

FOOTBALL

     DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University blanked Fayetteville State University, 17-0, as the Eagles won their Division I-FCS home opener with solid performances in all three phases of the game during the annual Labor Day Classic on Sunday at NCCU's O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
     NCCU (1-1) had a balanced offensive attack with 296 yards of total offense, including 154 yards on the ground and 142 yards through the air. The Eagles' defense kept the Broncos from scoring by forcing five turnovers with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. On special teams, NCCU blocked three kicks, including a punt and two field goal attempts, while senior place-kicker Brandon Gilbert made two extra points and a field goal to become the school's all-time leading scorer.
     Gilbert now has 234 career points as he passed former All-American wide receiver Robert Clark, who amassed 232 career points from 1983-86, on NCCU's all-time career scoring list with a fourth quarter 22-yard field goal. Gilbert also extended his consecutive extra-point kicks streak to 83 in-a-row.
     NCCU sophomore quarterback Stadford Brown completed 14-of-22 passes for 142 yards and two touchdown passes, both caught by junior receiver Will Scott, who finished with five receptions for 53 yards and the two scores.
     Brown's first touchdown pass was a 6-yard strike to Scott with 5:42 left in the second quarter to cap a 12-play, 80-yard drive that used 6:55 of the game clock.
     On Fayetteville State's next possession, NCCU senior safety Darren Brothers forced a fumble that was scooped up by senior cornerback Craig Amos and returned 40 yards to the FSU 15-yard line. On the Eagles' first play from scrimmage, Brown lofted a fade pass to the back corner of the end zone where Scott made an over-the-shoulder catch to put NCCU ahead 14-0 with 3:50 remaining before intermission. 
     FSU (0-2) managed to move the pigskin into the red zone twice, getting to the 8-yard line before a fumble and to the 5-yard line that ended with a blocked field goal.
     Late in the fourth quarter, NCCU rookie punter Taylor Gray knocked a 44-yard punt out-of-bounds at the Broncos' 1-yard line. On FSU's first play, senior quarterback Jay Autry threw an interception to Amos, giving the Eagles the ball on the 11-yard line. After three rushes netted seven yards, Gilbert strolled on the field to make history with a 22-yard chip shot with 27 seconds left in the contest.
     If not for Gilbert's record-setting performance, the day belonged to Amos, who finished with four tackles (three solo), two blocked field goals, two fumble recoveries for 40 yards, an interception (he had another interception in the third quarter negated by a roughing the passer penalty), and a pass break-up.
     A few other Eagle defenders posted big games, as well. NCCU senior lineman Courtney Coard led the team with eight tackles, including a sack. Brothers finished with six tackles (four solo), two interceptions, another pass break-up and a forced fumble.
     Red-shirt freshman Tim Shankle topped the Eagles ground game with 72 yards on 18 carries, while senior Jeff Toliver added 47 yards on eight rushes before leaving the game with a right foot sprain.
     FSU finished with 219 yards of total offense with 92 rushing yards and 127 passing yards. Autry was 5-of-12 for 80 yards with two interceptions, while freshman quarterback Ben Williams completed 5-of-11 passes for 47 yards and an interception. Freshman running back Richard Medlin ran for a team-high 59 yards on 16 attempts.
     The Broncos' defense was topped by junior linebacker Terrel Allen with 11 tackles, including 2.5 hits for a loss, while sophomore safety Jeff Gowdy recorded 10 tackles (five solo).
     Sunday's victory marked the first career win for NCCU head coach Mose Rison.
     NCCU returns home on Saturday, Sept. 8 to play Saint Augustine's College at 6 p.m.
 

NCCU senior Craig Amos soars through the air to block a Fayetteville State field goal attempt.

NCCU senior Craig Amos intercepts a pass that was negated by a roughing the passer penalty.

NCCU senior running back Jeff Toliver (#22) finds some running room.

NCCU sophomore quarterback Stadford Brown fires a pass.

NCCU junior receiver Will Scott caught two TD passes, including this over-the-shoulder grab.