North Carolina Central University

FOOTBALL

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.- The Eagles held a 12-7 lead at intermission before pulling away in the second half with an 18-10 win at the New York Urban League/Whitney Young Classic at Giants Stadium. 

The Vikings fell behind 6-0 after ECSU’s Antwain Pless fumbled from the 1-yard line, and allowing Eagles senior corner back Craig Amos to recover and score the Eagles first touchdown of the game with 6:01 left in the opening quarter.

In the second quarter, a muffed punt by NCCU’s Brandon Alston was recovered by ECSU’s Jeff Baker, giving the Vikings good field position on the Eagles 17-yard line.  The Eagles defense appeared to hold ECSU to a three and out, but a costly pass interference penalty against the Eagles on third-and-14 gave the Vikings a first-and-goal at NCCU’s 6-yard line.  Two plays later, Jerome Smith rushed six yards to the end zone and gave the Vikings there only lead of the game, 7-6, with 7:35 remaining before intermission. 

On the ensuing possession with Stadford Brown at the helm, the Eagles answered with a 12-play, 65-yard scoring drive when Brown hooked up with wideout Wayne Blackwell for a 9-yard touchdown with 2:03 on the clock. The extra point was blocked, but the Eagles regained the lead at halftime. 

The fourth quarter was all Eagles ... well Tim Shankle.  Shankle rushed for 23 of the Eagles’ 50 yards during an eight-play scoring drive, including a two-yard touchdown (NCCU's first rushing TD of the season), to help the Eagles pull away 18-7 with 10:07 left in the fourth quarter.

With 3:50 remaining in the game, NCCU’s defense stopped the Vikings at the 8-yard line and ECSU was forced to settle for a 26-yard field goal by Daniel Mendez. 

Shankle, who finished with a game-high 116 ground yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, was named the Whitney Young Classic Offensive Most Valuable Player, while Amos, who scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery, intercepted a pass, collected a team-best six tackles (four solo) and deflected four other passes, was voted as the Whitney Young Classic Defensive Most Valuable Player.

NCCU (3-1) outgained ECSU (0-3) 192 total yards to 145, with each team passing for 103 yards.

The Viking defense was topped by Jeremy Carthen with a game-high 15 tackles (seven solo), including 1.5 hits for a loss.
 

Four Eagle defenders hit a Viking ball carrier from all angles.

A host of Eagle defenders surround an ECSU ball carrier.

NCCU senior linebacker Derrick Ray celebrates an incomplete pass near the Eagles' end zone.

NCCU's Eric Smalls (#96) and D.J. Fretwell wrap-up a Viking ball carrier.

NCCU Athletics Director Bill Hayes, Chancellor Charlie Nelms, Tim Shankle (Offensive MVP), 
coach Mose Rison, Craig Amos (Defensive MVP).

NCCU's Tim Shankle (Offensive MVP), head coach Mose Rison and senior cornerback Craig Amos (Defensive MVP).

NCCU rookie running back Tim Shankle (Offensive MVP) and senior cornerback Craig Amos (Defensive MVP).

NCCU sophomore quarterback Stadford Brown escapes the pocket with help from senior tackle Azubike Alaribe.

The NCCU Sound Machine Marching Band.

NCCU rookie running back Tim Shankle leaps over the ECSU defensive front for a 2-yard touchdown.

NCCU rookie kicker Taylor Gray attempts an extra point.

NCCU rookie running back Tim Shankle leaps over an ECSU defender.

NCCU receiver Wayne Blackwell catches a touchdown pass to give the Eagles a lead at halftime.

NCCU celebrates the 18-10 victory over Elizabeth City State in the Whitney Young Classic inside Giants Stadium.