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DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – North Carolina Central University’s upset bid of nationally-ranked and undefeated Bethune-Cookman University fell short Saturday, as the No. 14 Wildcats took advantage of four turnovers to defeat the Eagles 23-10 inside O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, N.C.

In the debut of NCCU interim head coach Darryl Bullock, the Eagles defense held the nation’s most potent offense to 20 points fewer than its season average and 137 yards less than its average of 507 yards of total offense per outing. Bethune-Cookman ranks No. 1 among Division I-FCS programs in both scoring offense (43.8 points per game) and total offense (507.0 yards per game).

In spite of NCCU’s stifling defensive effort, the Eagles turned the ball over four times, including three fumbles lost and an interception returned for a touchdown.

Bethune-Cookman (7-0) took the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards on nine plays to paydirt on a 7-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Isidore Jackson just three minutes and 36 seconds into the contest. The key play on the scoring drive was a 25-yard scramble by senior quarterback Matt Johnson to convert on third down and 15 yards to go.

On NCCU’s first possession, the Eagles moved the pigskin to the B-CU 38-yard line before a pass by junior quarterback Keon Williams was intercepted by junior linebacker Ryan Lewis, who returned the pick 67 yards for a touchdown. The extra-point kick by Kory Kowalski provided B-CU with a 14-0 cushion at 7:52 of the first quarter.

The two MEAC squads exchanged scoreless possessions in a defensive duel until just before the halftime break.

On an NCCU drive that was extended due to a roughing the punter penalty against the Wildcats on a fourth-and-11 play, the Eagles lit the scoreboard courtesy of a 42-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Frankie Cardelle with 1:56 left in the opening half.

Bethune-Cookman held a 14-3 halftime advantage.

NCCU scored first in the second half when sophomore running back Arthur Goforth capped a 71-yard drive with an 8-yard touchdown scamper. Cardelle’s extra-point kick pulled the Eagles to within 14-10 at 6:01 of the third quarter.

Just when the Eagles gained momentum and the NCCU faithful rose to their feet, Bethune-Cookman responded quickly. On the Wildcats’ first play from scrimmage, Johnson connected with senior receiver Jevaughn Reams for a 50-yard reception down to the NCCU 12-yard line. Three plays later, Johnson completed a 7-yard pass to rookie receiver Eddie Poole for a touchdown. The extra-point try failed, but the Wildcats managed to silence the crowd by taking a 20-10 lead at the 4:27 mark of the third quarter.

The next time B-CU had the ball, the Wildcats converted twice on third down and 10, and again on third down and 13, setting up a 27-yard field goal by Sven Hurd with 11:06 remaining in the contest.

Needing two touchdowns, NCCU fumbled the ensuing kickoff and lost the ball to the Wildcats. On NCCU’s four fourth quarter possessions, the Eagles fumbled twice and failed to convert on a pair of fourth down plays.

Bethune-Cookman held on for the 23-10 victory to remain unbeaten at 7-0.

Johnson topped B-CU with 238 yards of total offense, including 167 yards and a touchdown on 13-of-25 passing along with a team-high 71 rushing yards.

Lewis sparked the Wildcats’ defense with a team-best seven tackles with a pair of sacks, a forced fumble and an interception return for a touchdown.

A resilient NCCU defense was paced by junior linebacker Roger Stewart with seven tackles and two sacks, while senior linebacker Kenneth Campbell also tallied seven stops with 1.5 hits for a loss and a pass break-up. Senior defensive lineman Teryl White added five tackles, including 2.0 takedowns behind the line of scrimmage with a sack for the Eagles.

NCCU out-rushed the Wildcats 153 to 143. Combined with 124 passing yards, the Eagles amassed 277 yards of total offense.

Goforth highlighted the NCCU ground attack with a career-high 65 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries. Goforth added 73 kickoff return yards and 18 punt return yards for a total of 156 all-purpose yards. Senior running back Tim Shankle contributed 42 rushing yards to move into fifth place on the Eagles’ career rushing leaders list with 2,295 yards.

Williams, who started under center for the Eagles and shared time with fellow junior signal caller Michael Johnson, threw for 70 yards on 8-of-15 passing. Johnson completed 6-of-13 passes for 54 yards. NCCU sophomore receiver Geovonie Irvine was on the receiving end of six passes for a team-high 54 yards.

Next week, NCCU (2-5) hosts Edward Waters College (1-7) for its homecoming contest starting at 2 p.m.