Box Score
CLEVELAND, Ohio - North Carolina Central University senior quarterback Michael Johnson threw four touchdown passes and redshirt freshman running back Andre Clarke rushed for two scores to lead the Eagles to a 42-3 victory over Central State University in the "Cleveland Classic" at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Saturday.

After going three-and-out on its first two possessions, NCCU (1-1) scored touchdowns the next five times with the pigskin. In doing so, NCCU tied a school record by scoring 28 points in the second quarter, the most points tallied in the second stanza by the Eagles since Nov. 13, 1971, against Howard University.

The Eagles struck first after a botched punt attempt gave NCCU beneficial field possession at the CSU 28-yard line. It took NCCU six plays, but on third down and nine to go, Johnson connected with senior receiver Demario Lackey for a 15-yard touchdown with 2:06 left in the first quarter.

The next NCCU drive used only three plays and 47 seconds to cover 50 yards. After a 9-yard scamper by Clarke move the ball into Marauders territory, Johnson completed a 30-yard pass to junior Geovonie Irvine. Clarke completed the short scoring drive on the first play of the second quarter with an 11-yard dash into the end zone. Rookie kicker Oleg Parent's extra-point kick made the score 14-0 just six seconds into the second frame.

On the first play of Central State's ensuing drive, starting quarterback Mark Horne threw an interception to redshirt freshman linebacker Demontray Ryland, who returned the pick nine yards to the CSU 30-yard line.

Clarke covered 23 of the 30 yards needed to score, including four yards on the touchdown run to put the Eagles ahead 21-0 with 13:36 still remaining until intermission.

On NCCU's next possession, the Eagles proved they could sustain a long drive. Junior running back Arthur Goforth ran twice for 23 yards and caught an 8-yard pass during the 11-play, 73-yard drive, while Johnson completed all four pass attempts for 39 yards, including an 18-yard toss to a wide-open Irvine in the end zone.

NCCU's final score of the first half came with 2:33 left before the break when Johnson hit sophomore receiver Marvin Poole for a 6-yard touchdown. Parent, who converted all six of his extra-point kicks, provided the Eagles with the record-tying 28th point of the second quarter.

Central State back-up quarterback Michael Wilson moved the Marauders down the field in the closing minutes of the first half, completing five passes and rushing for 11 yards during a 13-play, 58 yard drive that ended with a 25-yard field goal by Gracew Mahbena just one second prior to halftime.

NCCU took a comfortable 35-3 advantage into the locker room.

The Eagles final scoring tally occurred midway through the third quarter when Johnson connected with Irvine three times during an 8-play, 59-yard drive, resulting in an 8-yard touchdown reception by Irvine.

A junior and former high school teammate of Johnson, Irvine became the 13th receiver in NCCU history to record 100 career receptions. His seven catches for 86 yards and two touchdowns against Central State brings his career total to 103.

Johnson left the contest in the third quarter after completing 13-of-23 passes for 144 yards and four touchdowns. Jordan Reid came off the Eagles' bench to complete 3-of-5 passes for 32 yards.

Clarke powered his way to 144 rushing yards on 24 carries, the most ground yards by an Eagle since Greg Pruitt, Jr. posted 156 yards at Johnson C. Smith on Oct. 29, 2005.

Goforth contributed in a variety of ways. The junior running back and return specialist finished the contest with a game-high 145 all-purpose yards, including 59 yards on seven rushes, 28 yards on two receptions, 43 yards on three punt returns and 15 yards on a kickoff return.

Ryland sparked NCCU's stingy defensive effort with four tackles, including 1.5 hits for a loss with a solo sack, along with an interception and a quarterback hurry. Senior safety James Reese also had an interception to go with his three takedowns. Xavier Proctor, Delson McAdams, Brandon Outlaw and Tiron Guion all recorded five total tackles to top the Eagles.

Overall, NCCU amassed 392 yards of total offense, including 216 yards on the ground, while holding the Marauders to 208 total yards.

After two long road trips (Piscataway, N.J. and Cleveland, Ohio), NCCU starts a two-game home stand by hosting Elon on Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

The complete schedule and Saturday’s game statistics are available online at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.