Nov. 14, 2009

Final Stats |  Photo Gallery 

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University scored both of its touchdowns following Winston-Salem State University turnovers during an 18-10 victory in front of 11,232 at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The win was the first for the Eagles on an opponent's home field since Oct. 20, 2007, when NCCU defeated Savannah State, 30-14. Mose Rison's squad has now won three of its last four contests.

An aggressive NCCU defense forced four WSSU turnovers (two interceptions, two fumble recoveries) and chased the Rams' top two quarterbacks from the game with injuries.

Sophomore linebacker Roger Stewart topped the Eagles with 10 tackles, including 2.0 hits for a loss. However, it was junior linebacker Donald Laster who caught the Rams' attention with eight stops, including 2.5 tackles for a loss with 1.5 sacks, and his first career interception.

WSSU posted the game's first points when Dominique Fitzgerald return a punt 34 yards to the NCCU 16-yard line to set up a 37-yard field goal by Landen Thayer at 2:20 of the first quarter.

On the ensuing possession, NCCU used two 15-yard penalties by the Rams to drive 55 yards on eight plays for a game-tying 24-yard field goal by Frankie Cardelle at 13:19 of the second quarter.

Two plays into WSSU's next drive, NCCU safety Derek Harvey blasted Ram receiver Nathan Mumford to force a fumble, which was recovered by Eagle linebacker Alex Winters at the WSSU 37-yard line. On third-and-10, NCCU quarterback Michael Johnson completed a 32-yard pass to Geovonie Irvine to the 5-yard line. Junior running back Tim Shankle did the rest, plunging into the end zone at 12:06 of the second quarter. Cardelle missed his first extra-point kick of the season, keeping the score 9-3 in favor of the visitors.

WSSU regained the lead courtesy of NCCU's second special teams mishap, as a Ram punt touched the leg of the Eagle returner and the home team recovered inside the red zone. On third-and-goal from the 11-yard line, back-up signal caller Branden Williams connected with Omar Kizzie for a touchdown. Thayer's extra point kick put the Rams up 10-9 with 3:02 remaining in the second stanza.

After Johnson threw just his second interception in the past five games, NCCU junior cornerback Rashad Fox responded with an interception of his own and returned the pick 49 yards to the WSSU 4-yard line. One play later, Johnson found fullback Saeed Abdul-Azeez on a play-action pass for the go-ahead touchdown with 55 seconds left before intermission. Cardelle missed his second PAT kick of the game to make the NCCU advantage 15-10 at intermission.

After a scoreless third quarter, NCCU drove 70-yards on 11 plays, including a 31-yard rush by Tony McCord, to set up a 26-yard field goal by Cardelle at 6:37 of the fourth quarter.

WSSU moved the pigskin as close as the NCCU 31-yard line, but on a fourth down play Williams was sacked by Laster and Thomas Wallace to seal the Rams' fate.

Johnson finished with 115 yards and a touchdown on 10-of-21 passing, while Shankle topped the NCCU ground game with 80 yards and a score on 21 carries. Irvine collected three receptions for 51 yards and senior receiver Will Scott had three grabs for 34 yards.

WSSU was led by running back John Harris with 71 yards on 12 rushes. Kizzie caught six passes for 41 yards and a touchdown. Joshua Newkirk topped the Rams' defensive effort with seven tackles.

Next week, NCCU hosts Savannah State for "Senior Day" in the final game of the 2009 season.