Geovonie Irvine at SC State
NCCU junior receiver Geovonie Irvine catches a first down pass in the second quarter at SC State.

Football by Kyle Serba, Associate A.D. for Media Relations

FUMBLES COST NCCU SECOND-HALF LEADS IN LOSS AT SC STATE

Teams Combine for Over 1,000 Total Yards, Including Season-High 474 for Eagles

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Video Highlights- NCCU vs. South Carolina State        Photo Gallery

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – North Carolina Central University amassed a season-high 474 yards of total offense, but a pair of fumbles in the second half resulted in go-ahead touchdowns for South Carolina State University as the Bulldogs celebrated homecoming with a 49-38 victory in front of 22,181 fans inside Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium.

The two teams combined for more than 1,000 total yards, as SC State posted 528 yards, including a dominating 357 rushing yards. Bulldogs junior running back Asheton Jordan ran for 226 yards, averaging 10.3 yards per carry, and found the end zone twice to lead SCSU (3-3, 3-1 MEAC). As a team, SC State threw only six passes in the second half, including just two in the fourth quarter, both coming in the opening drive of the final stanza.

Michael Johnson dives for a TD at SC State
NCCU (1-4, 0-2 MEAC) was sparked by the Durham duo of senior quarterback Michael Johnson and junior receiver Geovonie Irvine.

Johnson threw for 315 yards for the second straight game, matching a career-high, while completing a career-best 29 passes on 47 pass attempts with two touchdown tosses. He also rushed for a team-high 50 yards and a score.

Irvine equaled a career-high with a season-best nine receptions for 132 yards and a touchdown.

The Eagles defense was paced by senior linebacker Brandon Outlaw with 11 tackles (seven solo), a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

NCCU held a 24-21 halftime lead, but SCSU returned a fumble 28 yards for a touchdown in the opening minute of the third quarter. NCCU regained the lead 38-35 at 10:49 of the fourth quarter, but the Eagles fumbled again and the Bulldogs recovered. On the ensuing drive, SCSU used six consecutive rushes for 53 yards in just 1:29 to take back the advantage for good, 42-38, with 9:11 remaining. Saturday marked the third consecutive contest in which the Eagles surrendered a lead in the fourth quarter.

It was the first gridiron meeting between the two schools since 1993. SCSU now has seven straight victories in the series with NCCU, and the Bulldogs lead the series 11-8 since the two teams first played in 1927.
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