Complete Game Notes
THE GAME
North Carolina Central Univ. “Eagles” vs. No. 14 Bethune-Cookman Univ. “Wildcats”
THE KICKOFF
Saturday, October 23, 2010 – Kickoff at 2:00 p.m.
THE SITE
O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium (10,000 capacity / Mondoturf) - Durham, N.C.
2010 RECORDS
North Carolina Central (2-4 overall); Bethune-Cookman (6-0, 4-0 MEAC)
MEDIA COVERAGE
Audio: NCCU Sports Network - flagship station WRJD 1410 AM (Durham), WHNC 890 AM (Henderson), WELS 1010 AM (Kinston), WYRN 1480 AM (Louisburg), WCBQ 1340 AM (Oxford), WEED 1390 AM (Rocky Mount), WXKL 1290 AM (Sanford); WARR 1520 AM (Warrenton); NCCUEaglePride.com. Starts at 1:30 p.m.
Video: NCCUEaglePride.com features GameCentral by Stretch Internet ($8.95). Starts at 1:45 p.m.
THE EVENT
North Carolina Central University hosts the undefeated and 14th-ranked Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University. Bethune-Cookman enters the contest with an unblemished 6-0 record and a national ranking of No. 14 in The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top-25 College Football Poll. Saturday will be Darryl Bullock’s first game as NCCU’s interim head coach, as well as Bethune-Cookman’s first visit to O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
EAGLES AGAINST NATIONALLY-RANKED OPPOSITION
Saturday will be the sixth time NCCU has lined up against a nationally-ranked opponent in the past three seasons. The Eagles played No. 8 James Madison on Sept. 6, 2008 (56-7 L), No. 3 Cal Poly on Nov. 8, 2008 (49-3 L), No. 24 Liberty on Sept. 12, 2009 (35-10 L), No. 9 Appalachian State on Oct. 10, 2009 (55-21 L), and No. 2/1 Appalachian State on Sept. 18, 2010 (44-16 L). Bethune-Cookman is ranked No. 14 in The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top-25 College Football Poll.
EAGLES TO WEAR PINK IN HONOR OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
North Carolina Central University football student-athletes and coaches will wear pink during Saturday’s contest against Bethune-Cookman in honor of breast cancer awareness month. The student-athletes will wear pink wristbands, while the coaching staff will don pink polo shirts and hats. In addition, the honorary captains of the game with be representatives from the Pretty in Pink Foundation, a state-wide, non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that quality, life-saving medical treatment is available to North Carolina residents, regardless of their ability to pay (www.prettyinpinkfoundation.org).
THE SERIES
This will be the second football meeting between North Carolina Central University and Bethune-Cookman University. In the only prior meeting, NCCU beat the Wildcats 24-5 on Sept. 24, 1994, in Daytona Beach, Fla.
THE LAST MEETING
(Sept. 24, 1994) North Carolina Central University intercepted five passes and returned a fumble for a touchdown as the Eagles cruised to a 24-5 road victory over Bethune-Cookman at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Sept. 24, 1994.
LAST WEEK
(Georgia State 20, NCCU 17 - overtime) North Carolina Central University sophomore kicker Frankie Cardelle blasted a career-long 44-yard field goal with five seconds left in regulation to send the Eagles’ road contest against Georgia State University into overtime. Cardelle’s 45-yard missed field goal try on the first possession of overtime, allowed Georgia State kicker Iain Vance to send the home fans into a frenzy when he converted a 33-yard field goal to lift the Panthers to a 20-17 overtime victory on Saturday afternoon in front of 13,378 fans inside the Georgia Dome. NCCU (2-4) out-gained the Panthers 329 total yards to 317, but the Eagles threw three interceptions, lost a fumble and were flagged 11 times for 78 penalty yards in the loss. The Eagles dominated the first quarter, holding GSU (5-2) without a first down and only 21 total yards, while recording five first downs and 87 total yards of their own. NCCU, however, threw a pair of interceptions to keep the first 15 minutes scoreless. In the opening minute of the second quarter, the Eagles had a first down and 10 yards to go on the GSU 17-yard line, but senior running back Tony McCord under-threw his intended receiver on a halfback pass to stall the drive at the two-yard line. On the next play, a GSU running back was tackled in the end zone for an apparent safety, but the NCCU defense was flagged for an off-sides penalty to take away two points. With a little breathing room, the Panthers moved the pigskin to midfield before senior linebacker Donald Laster stripped the ball from Kelton Hill with Marc Lewis recovering the loose ball for the Eagles. On the ensuing drive, Arthur Goforth capped a five-play, 59-yard stretch with a 29-yard touchdown run to post the first points of the game on the scoreboard with 7:46 remaining before the break. GSU responded with an 11-play, 58-yard drive to post three points on the scoring ledger courtesy of a 32-yard field goal by Vance with 3:34 left in the second quarter. The score remained 7-3 in the visitors’ favor heading into the locker rooms. On GSU’s second possession of the second half, the Panthers converted on a third down and 10 yards to go from their own 15-yard line to extend an 85-yard drive that ended with a 15-yard touchdown run by Travis Evans. Vance’s extra-point kick made the score 10-7 in favor of the home team at the 5:08 mark of the third quarter. NCCU regained the advantage when quarterback Keon Williams threw a bomb to Geovonie Irvine for a 47-yard touchdown connection with 9:58 remaining in regulation. Cardelle made the extra-point kick to provide the Eagles with a 14-10 cushion. On the following drive, GSU twice converted on third-and-seven to set up a 24-yard touchdown pass from Drew Little to Danny Williams, giving the Panthers a 17-14 lead with 5:36 on the fourth quarter clock. NCCU faced fourth down and four yards to go on its own 40-yard line with less than three minutes left to play. Williams’ screen pass attempt was deflected by GSU linebacker Jake Muasau and the Panthers took over at 2:55, needing only a first down to run out the clock and seal the victory. On third down and 13 yards to go, Little completed a 12-yard pass to Sidney Haynes, setting up a critical fourth down and one situation. Little’s quarterback sneak up the middle was snuffed by the NCCU defense and marked shy of the first down marker. The Eagles regained the ball with 50 seconds left on their own 31-yard line, needing a field goal to tie the ballgame. Williams completed three straight passes to Irvine (18 yards), Corey Harris (10 yards) and Decona Roberts (14 yards) to put the Eagles within striking distance. With 10 seconds on the clock, Cardelle lined up for a 44-yard field goal. His kick missed wide left, but GSU called a timeout just prior to the snap. Cardelle took advantage of his second opportunity by booming a career-long 44-yard field goal to send the contest into overtime. GSU won the coin toss and opted to play defense first. On NCCU’s possession, an apparent first down play was negated by an illegal formation penalty against the Eagles. After two incomplete passes, Cardelle was forced to try a 45-yard field goal, which had the distance, but missed the mark. On their first two offensive plays in overtime, the Panthers were tackled for negative yards. Facing third down and 13 yards to go, Hill scampered 12 yards to the 16-yard line. While not enough for the first down, it set up Vance for a manageable 33-yard field goal attempt for the win, which he nailed. The win is the fourth in a row for GSU, playing its inaugural season of football. Williams finished the contest with 154 yards on 11-for-22 passing for the Eagles, while also rushing for 46 yards. Tim Shankle led the NCCU ground game with 76 of the team’s 175 rushing yards. Irvine collected five receptions for 92 yards with a score. Senior linebacker Calvin Hillie topped the NCCU defensive effort with 8 tackles, including a hit for a loss and a pair of pass break-ups. Fellow senior linebacker Donald Laster recorded six solo tackles with a stop for a loss and a forced fumble. GSU quarterback Little threw for 205 yards, completing 16-of-29 pass attempts. Williams caught five balls for 103 yards and a score, while Hill topped the Panthers with 71 rushing yards.
(Bethune-Cookman 14, South Carolina State 0) Bethune-Cookman stunned No. 10 South Carolina State by defeating the defending MEAC champions 14-0. The B-CU Wildcats remain undefeated at 6-0.
SHANKLE SEVENTH EAGLE TO RUSH FOR 2,000 YARDS NCCU senior running back Tim Shankle ran for 86 yards and a touchdown against rival North Carolina A&T (Sept. 25) to become the seventh Eagle in school history to rush for 2,000 career yards. The Gainesville, Fla., native has amassed 2,253 yards during his NCCU career, including 474 yards in the first six games of 2010. Shankle needs 23 yards to pass Benjamin Tate for fifth on the NCCU career rushing list.
JOHNSON REACHES CAREER MILESTONE OF 3,000 PASSING YARDS
NCCU red-shirt junior quarterback Michael Johnson threw for 134 yards versus Hampton (Oct. 9) to become the 10th Eagle in school history to throw for 3,000 career yards. The Durham, N.C., native has amassed 3,063 yards during his three-year NCCU career, including 615 yards through the air in four games this season.
SHANKLE FIRST EAGLE TO RUSH FOR 100 YARDS SINCE 2007
On Oct. 9 against Hampton, NCCU senior running back Tim Shankle led the way with 107 rushing yards on 26 carries, marking the first time an Eagle has reached the 100-yard rushing milestone since Shankle ran for 127 yards at Western Kentucky on Oct. 27, 2007. Shankle’s only other 100-yard effort came on Sept. 15, 2007, against Elizabeth City State inside Giants Stadium, when he posted 116 yards on 24 carries. The last Eagle not named Shankle to rush for 100 or more yards in a game was Greg Pruitt, Jr., who accounted for 117 ground yards in the 2006 CIAA Championship Game versus Elizabeth City State (Nov. 11, 2006).
GOFORTH MAKES SCHOOL HISTORY AS KICKOFF RETURNER
NCCU sophomore return specialist Arthur Goforth made school history on Sept. 18 at Appalachian State by becoming the first Eagle to post two kickoff returns of 92 yards or more during a career. Amazingly, Goforth accomplished the feat in back-to-back weeks. On Sept. 11 versus Winston-Salem State, the Columbia, S.C., native returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown to equal the third-longest return in the NCCU record books. On Sept. 18 at Appalachian State, he raced 92 yards for a score to make Eagle history.
EAGLES MAKE BIG PLAYS IN ALL THREE PHASES
In the first three games of the 2010 season, the Eagles posted four of the biggest plays in NCCU gridiron history. Against Johnson C. Smith on Sept. 2, junior linebacker Roger Stewart intercepted a pass and raced 83 yards for a touchdown, matching the ninth-longest interception return in school history. On Sept. 11 versus Winston-Salem State, sophomore Arthur Goforth returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown to equal the third-longest kickoff return in the NCCU record books, followed by senior running back Tony McCord’s 93-yard touchdown scamper to set a new school record for the longest run from scrimmage. Goforth struck again in week three at Appalachian State with a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
THE COACHES
Darryl Bullock was elevated from assistant head coach to interim head coach at NCCU on Oct. 18. He began as offensive line coach at NCCU prior to the 2007 gridiron season. Following the 2007 campaign, he was promoted to the rank of assistant head coach, while also retaining his duties with the offensive line. Bullock, who has been coaching football since 1989, joined the Eagles after serving as offensive line/tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at Tennessee State University for two seasons (2005-06). In that time, Bullock’s offensive frontline paved the way for a sophomore running back to gain 1,233 ground yards. During the previous four seasons, Bullock served as defensive line coach at Elon University (2004), East Tennessee State University (2003) and Gardner-Webb University (2001-02). In his last season at Gardner-Webb, he coached three All-Big South Conference linemen. As offensive line coach at the University of New Hampshire (located in Durham, N.H.), five of Bullock’s student-athletes claimed all-conference honors in just two seasons (1999-2000). He spent the spring of 1999 as defensive coordinator and assistant general manager of the Dayton Skyhawks of the Indoor Football League, prior to a three-year stint as assistant head coach/offensive coordinator/offensive line and tight ends coach/recruiting coordinator at Morgan State University (1996-98). Bullock served as head football coach at Immokalee (Fla.) High School during the 1995 campaign, guiding his squad to the 4A playoffs with some help from an All-American and future N.F.L. standout named Edgerrin James. Prior to his high school head coaching debut, Bullock was a defensive line coach/recruiting coordinator at Morehead State University (1994). He has also held graduate assistant coaching positions at Penn State University (1992-93) and the University of Michigan (1990-91), where he earned a master’s degree in kinesiology in 1992. Bullock received his bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 1990 from Pennsylvania State University, where he played defensive tackle. As a player for Penn State, he was a part of two consecutive trips to national championship games, including a loss to Oklahoma followed by a victory over the University of Miami in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl to win the national title. Bullock has also worked summer N.F.L. internships with the Cleveland Browns (2001), Miami Dolphins (2000) and New England Patriots (1998). He and his wife, Elaine, are the proud parents of a son, Luther.
Bethune-Cookman University named Ft. Lauderdale, Florida native Brian Jenkins its 10th head football coach on Dec. 21, 2009. Jenkins was an assistant coach at Rutgers University in the 2009 season as wide receivers coach on Greg Schiano’s Scarlet Knights’ team that was the St. Petersburg Bowl champions. Prior to Rutgers, Jenkins served as running backs coach and special team’s coordinator at Louisiana-Lafayette for seven seasons (2002-2008). Jenkins joined UL from the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe. Prior to his stint in NFL-Europe, Jenkins was the running backs coach at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Before joining the BGSU Falcons, Jenkins spent five seasons with Eastern Illinois University. From 1995-98 he served as running backs coach and was named the receivers coach in 1999. In 1994, he was the receivers coach at Western Kentucky University. Jenkins played college football as both a wide receiver and running back at the University of Cincinnati. He was the Bearcat record holder for kickoff return yards in a season and in a career before those records were surpassed in 2009. He graduated in 1993 with an associate’s degree in education and bachelor’s degree in social work.
LISTEN TO NCCU FOOTBALL ON WRJD 1410 AM OR VIA THE INTERNET
Every game of the 2010 North Carolina Central University Eagles football season will be broadcasted by the NCCU Sports Network, including the flagship station WRJD 1410 AM in Durham, N.C. Play-by-play announcer Chris Hooks will call all of the live action, starting with “Eagle Gameday” a half-hour prior to kickoff. Fans may also listen to the broadcast via the internet by visiting the NCCU Athletics web site at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.
