Nov. 7, 2009

Final Stats

NORFOLK, Va. - North Carolina Central University overcame a 28-point second-half deficit to tie the game early in the fourth quarter, but Old Dominion University answered the challenge and held on for a 42-28 homecoming victory in front of a capacity crowd of 19,782 inside S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, Va.

ODU quarterback Thomas DeMarco exploded for 393 yards of total offense, as the red-shirt sophomore rushed for 224 yards with four touchdowns and threw for 169 yards and another score to lead the Monarchs.

NCCU red-shirt sophomore quarterback Michael Johnson, who engineered the Eagles' comeback, completed 26-of-42 pass attempts for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore receiver Geovonie Irvine had a game-high six catches for 87 yards, while also throwing a 20-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Will Scott, who recorded five receptions for 57 yards and two scores.

NCCU junior linebacker Calvin Hillie tallied a game-high 12 tackles (eight solo), while also intercepting a pass to set up the game-tying touchdown run by Tim Shankle at 10:41 of the fourth quarter.

NCCU was looking like a typical homecoming victim late in the third quarter when the visiting Eagles trailed ODU 28-0. However, NCCU scored 28 unanswered points in less than eight minutes to tie the score at 28-28 early in the fourth quarter.

With 8:20 left in the contest, NCCU junior tight end Earthan Ward took a hard hit while extended for a pass, and had to be taken off of the field on a medical cart. Reports after the game indicate that Ward is okay at a nearby hospital, but the Eagles seemed shaken by the injury to their teammate as ODU scored two late touchdowns to seal the victory.

NCCU dropped to 2-7 on the season, while ODU improved to 8-2.

The Eagles visit rival Winston-Salem State next Saturday.