Nov. 1, 2008

Final Stats |  Photo Gallery 

DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University amassed a season-high 393 yards of total offense during a 34-14 Homecoming victory over Edward Waters College in front of a sellout crowd of 11,625 inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, N.C.

NCCU red-shirt freshman quarterback Michael Johnson and junior receiver Will Scott connected for three touchdowns, while the Eagles rushed for a season-best 212 ground yards to spark the offensive unit.

The Eagle defense recorded four interceptions, including a 32-yard touchdown return by sophomore corner back David Ingram, along with a fumble recovery and four sacks to keep the visiting Tigers in check with 216 yards of total offense (61 rush, 155 pass).

Johnson completed 9-of-21 pass attempts for 181 yards and three touchdowns with four interceptions. The first-year signal caller found Scott for scoring strikes of 32, 36 and 32 yards. Scott finished the contest with four catches for 119 yards and a career-best three trips to the end zone.

The NCCU ground attack was topped by sophomore Tim Shankle with 95 yards on 12 carries, while sophomore Tony McCord added 73 yards on 14 attempts and sophomore Justin Campbell added 52 yards on seven rushes.

NCCU senior lineman Eric Smalls topped the defensive squad with five tackles, including a sack, and his first career interception. Sophomore safety Jeffery Henderson recorded five takedowns (four solo) with a pass break-up.

NCCU senior kicker Brandon Gilbert made four extra-point attempts to extend his streak to 101 straight, becoming the first Eagle to reach the century mark in consecutive PAT kicks.

Edward Waters (2-7) was lead by freshman quarterback Cesary Wilborn with 150 yards of total offense, including 118 yards and a touchdown through the air and 32 yards and a score on the ground.

Horace Scott made his only reception count for the Tigers, scoring on a 15-yard, dazzling catch in the back corner of the end zone.

The EWC defense was paced by senior defensive back Nadens Madeus with a game-high 11 tackles and two interceptions.

NCCU (2-6) travels to California next week to challenge No. 3 Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif.