Complete Game Notes (PDF)
THE GAME
North Carolina Central University “Eagles” vs. Rutgers “Scarlet Knights”
THE KICKOFF
Thursday, September 1, 2011 – Kickoff at 7:34 p.m.
THE SITE
High Point Solutions Stadium (52,454 capacity / FieldTurf) - Piscataway, N.J.
2011 RECORDS
North Carolina Central (0-0 overall, 0-0 MEAC); Rutgers (0-0 overall, 0-0 Big East)
MEDIA COVERAGE
Audio: “GameCentral” at NCCUEaglePride.com. Starts at 7:00 p.m. (Chris Hooks, play-by-play; Joe Simmons, color analyst)
Video: ESPN3.com (Dave Popkin, play-by-play; Rob Harley, color analyst)
TV: The ESPN3 broadcast will be available to Time Warner Cable customers in the Carolina Region on channel 518 with the purchase of a $5.95 monthly subscription to the Sports Tier. There is no minimum limit to the number of months for the subscription. TWC customers with a digital converter may order the Sports Tier using their remote control.
THE EVENT
North Carolina Central University opens its first season as a full member of the NCAA Division I-FCS against Rutgers of the Big East. Thursday’s match-up will be one of the first Division I gridiron contests of the 2011 season. NCCU head coach Henry Frazier III will be making his debut on the Eagles’ sideline.
THE SERIES
This will be the first football meeting between North Carolina Central University and Rutgers.
LAST SEASON
North Carolina Central: NCCU finished its fourth season of Division I-FCS competition with a 3-8 overall record. NCCU stormed out of the gates with a dominating 59-0 season-opening win over Johnson C. Smith. The Eagles also tasted sweet victory against long-time rival North Carolina A&T and celebrated a homecoming win versus Edward Waters. But the Eagles also had their share of troubles. They lost a heart-breaker to Winston-Salem State, fell victim to the No. 1-ranked team in the nation in Appalachian State and suffered an overtime setback at Georgia State. After opening the campaign with a 2-4 record, NCCU head coach Mose Rison was replaced by assistant head coach Darryl Bullock, who led the Eagles the rest of the season. Unfortunately for the maroon and gray faithful, the results were about the same. NCCU went 1-4 during that stretch, including its first-ever loss against Savannah State.
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights finished the 2010 season with a 4-8 overall record, including a 1-6 mark in the Big East, snapping Rutgers’ streak of five consecutive bowl game appearances.
THE COACHES
North Carolina Central: Henry Frazier III (Bowie State, 1993) is in his first season as head coach at NCCU. Prior to his arrival in Durham, N.C., Frazier spent seven seasons (2004-10) at the helm of the Prairie View A&M University Panthers football team. He took over a program that experienced the nation’s longest losing streak, dropping 80 straight contests from 1989-98, and transformed the Panthers into SWAC champions in 2009. Among his many coaching honors is the 2009 Eddie Robinson National FCS Coach of the Year award. Frazier also served as head coach at his alma mater, Bowie State University (1999-2003).
Rutgers: Greg Schiano (Bucknell, 1988) is in his 11th season with the Scarlet Knights. Schiano is the fifth-winningest coach all-time in victories in the Big East (59-63). The 2006 National and Big East Coach of the Year, Schiano has guided Rutgers to a school-record five bowl appearances over the previous six seasons, including four bowl victories.
ABOUT RUTGERS
- On Nov. 6, 1869, Rutgers hosted Princeton in the first-ever college football game.
- Rutgers made five consecutive bowl game appearances from 2005-09, and won four in-a-row (2006-09).
- Since 2009, more than 30 former Rutgers players have played in the NFL, including Pro Bowler Ray Rice.
- At least one Scarlet Knight has suited up in five of the last seven Super Bowls.
- Founded in 1766, Rutgers has an enrollment of more than 37,000 students.
RUTGERS VERSUS THE MEAC
Entering Thursday’s contest, Rutgers boasts an unblemished 7-0 record against teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. In five meetings with MEAC opposition since 2006, the Scarlet Knights have won by a combined score of 229 (45.8 avg.) to 14 (2.8 avg.), including three shutouts.
1971 - Morgan State - W 27-8
1972 - Morgan State - W 37-14
2006 - Howard - W 56-7
2007 - Norfolk State - W 59-0
2008 - Morgan State - W 38-0
2009 - Howard - W 45-7
2010 - Norfolk State - W 31-0
TRIANGLE INTEREST INCREASES WITH TAR HEELS UP NEXT
The excitement around NCCU’s 2011 opener at Rutgers is already high among Eagles fans anxious to see the squad under new head coach Henry Frazier III. But even more fans around the Triangle will be watching Thursday’s contest since the next opponent on Rutgers’ schedule is North Carolina (Sept. 10 in Chapel Hill).
ANOTHER THURSDAY OPENER, DIFFERENT LEVEL OF COMPETITION
On Sept. 2, 2010, 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 (NCAA Division II) 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). On Sept. 1, 2011, NCCU will once again open its season on a Thursday night, but this time facing just the second FBS opponent since making the jump to Division I. The Eagles lined up against cross-town foe Duke on Sept. 26, 2009, losing the road game 49-14.
AN EAGLE WITH EXPERIENCE AGAINST RUTGERS
NCCU junior transfer running back Gary Douglas (Jr., 6-1, 212, Durham, N.C.) has played against Rutgers before. As a redshirt freshman at Maryland, Douglas recorded his first career reception for a 10-yard gain against the Scarlet Knights on Sept. 26, 2009. Rutgers defeated the Terrapins 34-13 in College Park, Md.
LISTEN TO NCCU FOOTBALL VIA THE INTERNET
Every game of the 2011 North Carolina Central University Eagles football season will be broadcasted by the NCCU Sports Network. Play-by-play announcer Chris Hooks and NCCU Athletic Hall of Famer Joe Simmons will call all of the live action, starting with “Eagle Gameday” a half-hour prior to kickoff. To listen to the broadcast via the internet, visit the NCCU Athletics web site at www.NCCUEaglePride.com and click on “GameCentral.”
NCCU PICKED TO FINISH SEVENTH IN THE MEAC
Under the direction of new head coach Henry Frazier III, conference rookie North Carolina Central University has been picked to finish seventh during the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football season, according to a poll of league head football coaches and sports information directors. The Eagles were selected ahead of four squads with Delaware State picked eighth, North Carolina A&T ninth, Howard 10th and fellow conference newcomer Savannah State at the bottom in 11th. South Carolina State was announced as the MEAC favorite for the fourth straight year, while last season’s co-champions, Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M, are slated to finish second and third, respectively. Rounding out the preseason poll are Hampton in fourth, Norfolk State in fifth and Morgan State in sixth.
STEWART, GOFORTH SELECTED TO PRESEASON ALL-MEAC TEAM
North Carolina Central University senior defensive lineman Roger Stewart and junior return specialist Arthur Goforth have been recognized on the preseason All-MEAC football team as voted upon by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference head football coaches and sports information directors. Stewart (6-1, 226, Charlotte, N.C.) is the leading returning tackler to the Eagle defense as he finished the 2010 season with 50 total tackles, including 11 tackles for a loss. He recorded one interception which he returned 83 yards for a touchdown against Johnson C. Smith and racked up three sacks and recovered two fumbles. The electrifying Goforth (5-7, 165, Columbia, S.C.) was one of top kick returners in the FCS last season with two touchdowns, the longest of which came against Winston-Salem State where he went 97 yards. He finished the season with 31 returns for 769 yards, averaging 24.8 yards a return. The junior also returned punts, registering 12 returns for 171 yards for an average of 14.2 yards a clip.
EAGLES’ EQUIPMENT RIDES IN STYLE
North Carolina Central University and Tru-Pak Moving Systems, Inc., partnered to unveil a brand new truck with NCCU style on Aug. 1 in front of McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium. Tru-Pak Moving Systems, Inc., now “The Official Mover of NCCU Football,” will use the 28-foot truck to transport the Eagles’ gridiron equipment to road games and will be added to Tru-Pak’s fleet of more than 200 trucks. “I can’t think of a finer institution to give this gift to than NCCU,” stated Allyson Siegel, Executive Vice President of Tru-Pak Moving Systems, Inc. “Producing leaders in the world for years in both the classroom and on the athletic field, NCCU is leading the way for other institutions. I am very excited about the upcoming season and look forward to being part of their success in years to come.” The truck will be used primarily to aid the NCCU football program move its equipment to and from the site of competition, which will enhance the travel experience for the student-athletes and support staff; while also giving the institution visibility not only across North Carolina, but nationwide as the truck will be used as part of the normal fleet during the week and the rest of the year. “I’m so excited about our new partnership with Tru-Pak Moving Systems,” said NCCU Athletics Director Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree. “As our program grows, we are looking to form great corporate sponsorships such as this. Ms. Allyson Siegel has been wonderful in her support of our athletics program, and most importantly, our student-athletes. We will move in style this season.” Tru-Pak Moving Systems, Inc., has been a family owned and operated full-service moving and storage company for more than 50 years. This company averages 4,500 moves annually. Eagle fans are encouraged to check out their website at www.Tru-Pak.com or call 1-800-659-122 ext. 211.
THREE EAGLES AMONG NCCU CAREER LEADERS
- NCCU senior quarterback Michael Johnson enters 2011 season ranked seventh on NCCU’s all-time career passing list with 3,627 yards through the air and seventh in career total offense with 3,490 total yards. The Durham, N.C., native also ranks eighth with 30 career touchdown passes. Up next: Herman Mathews (1966-69) with 3,942 passing yards; Herman Mathews (1966-69) with 4,063 total yards; and Garvin Stone (1969-72) with 35 TD passes.
- In just two seasons, junior receiver Geovonie Irvine ranks 14th among NCCU’s career receiving yards leaders with 1,340 yards and 15th in career receptions with 91. Up next: Edwin Hargrove (1987-90) with 1,416 receiving yards; Julian Martin (1966-69) and Nikki Brannon (1992-95) with 98 receptions.
- Cornerback David Ingram enters his senior season ranked 10th among NCCU’s career passes defended leaders with 33. Up next: Hassan Smith (1999-2002) with 35.
