April 10, 2010
DURHAM, N.C. - With no points posted on the scoreboard, the winner of the North Carolina Central University "Maroon vs. Gray" spring football game was difficult to determine, as the maroon offense and the gray defense battled to a virtual tie on Saturday in front of an announced crowd of 1,579 inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
The maroon offense managed 147 total yards on 47 plays, recording seven first downs and two touchdowns.
The gray defense (wearing white jerseys) collected two turnovers as part of nine total stops, while tallying five sacks and four pass break-ups.
The two units battled for four 12-minute quarters with a running clock.
The offense first found the end zone with 8:15 left in the third quarter when a 20-yard pass play from quarterback Michael Johnson to receiver Geovonie Irvine set up a 1-yard touchdown plunge by running back Justin Campbell.
On the extra-point attempt, the snap from center was mishandled and the play was whistled dead. Courtesy of the practice setting, the special teams unit was granted a second chance and Frankie Cardelle successfully booted the extra-point kick.
With 4:05 remaining in the fourth quarter, redshirt freshman quarterback Eric Brown completed his only pass of the day on a 32-yard bomb to Marvin Poole for a touchdown. Cardelle's PAT kick was good.
Johnson completed six of his 15 pass attempts for 74 yards, while Brown was 1-of-8 with the 32-yard touchdown strike and an interception.
The Eagles' leading rusher was Brexton Young out of Wake Forest-Rolesville High School with 38 yards on two carries, including a long run of 27 yards. Tim Shankle added 13 yards on four rushes, while Campbell finished with 10 yards on four carries.
Receiver Corey Harris looked strong after missing the entire 2009 campaign due to a pre-season injury. Harris caught three passes for 52 yards.
The defensive standout of the day was lineman Xavier Proctor, who amassed three sacks, a quarterback hurry, and a pass deflection.
The two turnovers were credited to Darian Pearson with a one-handed interception returned 13 yards in the fourth quarter and Christian Modebelo with a fumble recovery in the third quarter.
During the scrimmage, NCCU announced the addition of a seventh home game as the Eagles will host Old Dominion University on Nov. 20 at 2 p.m.
NCCU opens the season at home on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. against Johnson C. Smith University inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, N.C.
2010 NCCU SPRING FOOTBALL GAME STATISTICS:
Team Rushing: 24 carries for 41 yards (79 gain, 38 loss), TD
Team Passing: 7 completions, 23 attempts, 106 yards, TD, INT
Total Offense: 47 plays, 147 yards (3.1 yards per play)
First Downs: 7
Defensive Stops: 9 (including 2 turnovers - fumble recovery, interception)
Individual Statistical Leaders:
Passing:
#15 Michael Johnson: 6-for-15, 74 yards
#3 Eric Brown: 1-for-8, 32 yards, TD, INT
Rushing:
#20 Brexton Young (Wake Forest-Rolesville): 2 carries, 38 yards (long of 27)
#2 Tim Shankle: 4 carries, 13 yards
#34 Justin Campbell: 4 carries, 10 yards, TD (1 yard)
#22 Arthur Goforth: 1 carry, 10 yards
Receiving:
#1 Corey Harris: 3 catches, 52 yards (long of 27)
#80 Marvin Poole: 1 catch, 32 yards, TD
#4 Geovonie Irvine: 1 catch, 20 yards
Defense:
#17 Xavier Proctor: 3 sacks, 1 QB hurry, pass deflection
#42 Darian Pearson: interception returned 13 yards
#85 Christian Modebelo: fumble recovery
Scoring:
3rd - 8:15 - Campbell 1-yd run (PAT rush no good)
4th - 4:05 - Pass from Brown to Poole 32 yards (Frankie Cardelle PAT kick good)
