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DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – A near capacity crowd took part in North Carolina Central University’s first Thursday night football game in 44 years, and the fans were treated to the second-largest victory in NCCU history.

The host Eagles took advantage of five Johnson C. Smith University turnovers and cruised to a 59-0 season-opening victory in front of an announced crowd of 9,257 inside O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, N.C.

The shutout was NCCU’s first in three seasons (Sept. 8, 2007 – NCCU def. St. Augustine’s 6-0) and the biggest margin of victory since an 85-0 win over Fort Jackson to open the 1946 campaign (Sept. 21, 1946).

The Eagles amassed 362 yards of total offense, including 239 yards on the ground. NCCU junior quarterback Keon Williams, who entered the contest with one career touchdown pass, threw four touchdown strikes on 14-of-22 passing for 110 yards on Thursday. Junior fullback Justin Manning caught the first two passes of his Eagle career and he took both to the end zone. Junior tight end Earthan Ward and sophomore receiver Lamar Whidbee also caught touchdown passes, while senior Tim Shankle and sophomore Arthur Goforth scored on the ground.

NCCU’s vicious defense kept the Golden Bulls out of the red zone and held the visitors to 46 rushing yards as part of 233 total yards. A balanced defensive effort was paced by senior linebacker Calvin Hillie with six tackles, including 3.0 hits for a loss with a sack. Safeties #Ja’Quez Canty and Marc Lewis# added five stops each, while senior linebacker Rakeem Vick contributed four takedowns and a fumble recovery.

The Eagles defense also got offensive, accounting for 14 points. Senior linebacker Anthony Sharp sacked JCSU quarterback Ryan Carter for a safety in the third quarter. The last two NCCU scores came courtesy of a James Reese 9-yard fumble recovery and an 83-yard interception return by linebacker Roger Stewart.

Sophomore kicker Frankie Cardelle added to the tally with a 35-yard field goal and six extra-point kicks.

JCSU (0-2) was led by Carter, who completed 14-of-34 passes for 173 yards and rushed for 35 yards. Senior receiver Jeremy Franklin caught four passes for 77 yards, while junior running back Joshua James recorded 56 yards on nine carries.

Senior defensive back Girard Miller collected a game-high nine tackles to pace the Golden Bulls defensive effort.

NCCU returns to O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium next Saturday (Sept. 11) to host long-time rival Winston-Salem State at 6:00 p.m., while JCSU plays West Virginia Tech.

For complete game coverage, including statistics, photos and video highlights, visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com.