Sept. 7, 2009

DID YOU KNOW? During Labor Day weekend seven years ago (Sept. 1, 2002), the North Carolina Central University football team rallied from a 27-point deficit to defeat rival North Carolina A&T 33-30 in overtime at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C.

The comeback was the second-largest in NCAA Division II history and snapped the Eagles' 12-game losing skid to the NCAA Division I-AA Aggies.

Donnie Pippen's 2-yard dive into the end zone in the extra session sent the Eagle fans into a frenzy and provided NCCU with its first win over their rival since Sept. 3, 1988.

In the first quarter of play it seemed as though A&T was on its way to another rout. The Aggies scored 27 unanswered points in the first 11 minutes of the contest, courtesy to four NCCU turnovers (2 fumbles and 2 interceptions).

The Eagles, however, answered the call... loudly.

NCCU's stifling defense held the Aggies to 179 yards of total offense, including only 77 yards after halftime.

NCCU, which had zero yards of total offense in the first quarter, finished the contest with 249 total yards.

As part of North Carolina Central University's Centennial celebration, the NCCU Department of Athletics will post sports history facts from the institution's first 100 years to its official web site, www.NCCUEaglePride.com, every Monday during the year-long observance.