Oct. 20, 2007

Final Stats

SAVANNAH, GA - Although North Carolina Central University got off to a slow start, the Eagles eventually exploded for a season-high point total in a 30-14 victory over Savannah State University at Memorial Stadium in Savannah, Ga. on Saturday.

NCCU managed only 38 total yards in the first quarter, but finished the contest with 337 yards of total offense, including 179 yards of passing by sophomore quarterback Stadford Brown.

Savannah State recorded 210 yards of total offense, but only 24 yards on 25 rushing attempts.

The Eagles improved their overall record to 6-2 to clinch a winning campaign in the program's first season as a NCAA Division I-FCS member. The Tigers dropped to 1-6.

Savannah State struck first following an Eagles turnover with a 25-yard touchdown scamper by rookie quarterback Greg McCrary, who faked a pitch on the option and dashed off right tackle for the Tigers fifth rushing score of the season. Luis Justiniano added the extra point for a 7-0 lead at 4:02 of the first quarter.

NCCU responded on the ensuing kickoff with a 59-yard return by senior Brandon Alston, giving the Eagles red-zone field position at the 13-yard line. The SSU defense kept the Eagles out of the end zone, but freshman kicker Taylor Gray booted a 20-yard field goal to make the score 7-3 with 41 seconds left in the opening stanza.

NCCU freshman Kurtis Campbell blocked a Tigers punt to allow the Eagles to start their second straight drive inside the red zone, this time at the 15-yard line. Again, the Tigers defense held and NCCU settled for a 28-yard field goal by Gray at 14:08 of the second quarter to narrow the gap to 7-6.

Two plays later, NCCU senior corner back Tyrone Williams intercepted McCrary's pass and returned the pick to the Tigers' 35-yard line. However, on third down and nine yards to go from the 24-yard line, Brown threw his sixth interception of the season to Jeremy Boston at the 5-yard line.

Again, two plays later, SSU quarterback McCrary made a poor toss on an option and NCCU senior end Xavier Joe scooped up the loose ball and returned the fumble 46 yards for a touchdown to provide the Eagles with their first lead of the game, 13-7 at 10:29 of the second quarter.

Savannah State responded with a four-play, 50-yard drive, capped by a 38-yard touchdown strike from McCrary to Deleon Hollinger to put the Tigers back on top 14-13 at 9:23 of the second quarter.

With 6:11 left before intermission, Gray attempted to regain the lead for the Eagles with a 47-yard field goal, but he missed the kick wide left.

Gray later pinned the Tigers deep inside their own territory with a punt to the 5-yard line. The NCCU defense forced a punt, which was nearly blocked, and took over at the 46-yard line. After an illegal formation penalty (NCCU's 10th penalty of the first half), Brown found senior receiver Brandon Alston streaking down the sideline for a 51-yard touchdown with only five ticks left before halftime to put NCCU back on top 20-14.

After only 38 yards of total offense in the first quarter, NCCU amassed 132 total yards in the second quarter, including Brown's 96 yards of passing. SSU posted 114 total yards in the opening half, including 71 yards through the air.

NCCU extended its lead to 27-14 at 5:08 of the third quarter after freshman running back Justin Campbell rushed for a 14-yard score, the Eagles' fourth rushing touchdown of the season and the first of Campbell's career, to end a 10-play, 71-yard drive.

NCCU chewed up most of the fourth quarter clock with 17-play, 66-yard drive that consumed 8:42 off the clock and ended with Gray 27-yard field goal at 5:27. For Gray, who entered the contest with only one career field goal, it was his third made kick of the game (20, 28, 27) and push the Eagles cushion to 30-14.

With their backs against the wall following a sack by Eagles lineman Eric Smalls, the Tigers completed a 94-yard pass play from McCrary to Hollinger, who thought he scored, but dove in celebration prior to the goal line and landed at the 2-yard line. It all went down hill from there for SSU. The Tigers committed a false start penalty and then dropped all the way back to the 30-yard line after a fumble. Then, trying to make a big play, McCrary's pass to the end zone was intercepted by Craig Amos and returned to the SSU 19-yard line to end the game.

Brown completed 18-of-33 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown, while Campbell topped the Eagles ground game with 74 yards and a score on 14 carries.

The NCCU defense was topped by linebacker D.J. Fretwell and lineman Paul Johnson with six tackles each, while twin brothers Derrick and Eric Ray added five hits apiece.

McCrary finished with 186 yards and a touchdown on 11-of-23 passing. Junior defensive back Chris Herans led the SSU defense with 14 tackles, including 1.5 hits for a loss with a sack and a forced fumble.

NCCU travels to Bowling Green, Ky., next Saturday (Oct. 27) to face Western Kentucky University in its first-ever match-up against a Division I-BCS opponent.