North Carolina Central University

FOOTBALL

     DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University used a fourth-quarter field goal to claim a 17-14 win in an evenly-contested game against North Greenville University in front of a sellout homecoming crowd of 11, 327 inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, N.C. 
     NCCU rookie kicker Taylor Gray made a 22-yard field goal on the second play of the fourth quarter to break a 14-14 tie and give the Eagles the lead for good.
     The game was so balanced between the host Eagles and Crusaders that each averaged 4.4 yards per play and only six seconds separated the time of possession. NCCU amassed 306 yards of total offense (174 passing, 132 rushing), while NGU recorded 284 total yards (182 passing, 102 rushing).
     NCCU improves its overall record to 5-2, while NGU falls to 1-6.
     The visiting Crusaders scored first with a 1-yard touchdown run by Rashad Cummings capping an 11-play, 60-yard drive at 4:59 of the first quarter. Adrian Escalona missed the extra-point kick to keep the score at 6-0.
     NCCU responded with a nine-play, 66-yard drive that ended with a touchdown strike from sophomore quarterback Stadford Brown to freshman receiver Corey Harris, his first college catch. Gray's extra-point kick gave the Eagles a 7-6 lead at 14:54 of the second quarter.
     Just minutes before intermission, rookie defensive back Rakeem Vick returned an interception 23 yards to the Crusaders' 28-yard line to set up a go-ahead 4-yard touchdown run by red-shirt freshman Tim Shankle, putting NCCU on top 14-6 at 1:45 of the second quarter.
     On its opening possession of the second half, NGU drove 70 yards in nine plays to pull to within two points with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Eric Moeller to Jarvis Garrett. Moeller found Travis Talbert in the end zone for the two-point conversion to tie the score at 14-14 with 10:59 of the third quarter.
     After Gray's fourth-quarter kick gave the Eagles a 17-14 edge, NGU's Escalona missed a potential game-tying 40-yard field goal attempt with 9:18 left in the visitor's best opportunity to even the score.
     NCCU's stalwart defense was topped by twin brothers Eric and Derrick Ray, who combined for 19 stops. Eric led the team with 10 tackles, while Derrick amassed nine takedowns (five solo), including two hits for a loss with a sack, four pass break-ups and his third interception of the season.
     NCCU's Brown completed 14-of-33 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown with an interception. Will Scott was Brown's favorite target with five catches for 73 yards. Rookie running back Justin Campbell topped the Eagles ground game with 64 yards on 12 carries.
     NGU's Moeller finished with 182 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions on 19-of-32 passing. Talbert caught six balls for 51 yards, while Cummings rushed for 92 yards and a score on 22 attempts. The Crusaders defense was topped by Andre Bernardi and Doug Wilson with 11 tackles each.
     Up next for NCCU is a road game against Savannah State on Oct. 20 at 1 p.m.