Complete Game Notes (PDF)    

THE GAME
Elon University “Phoenix” vs. North Carolina Central University “Eagles”

THE KICKOFF
Saturday, September 17, 2011 – Kickoff at 6:00 p.m. 

THE SITE
O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium (10,000 capacity/MondoTurf) - Durham, N.C.

2011 RECORDS
Elon (1-1 overall); North Carolina Central (1-1 overall, 0-0 MEAC)

MEDIA COVERAGE
Radio: WEED 1390 AM (Rocky Mount, N.C.); WARR 1520 AM (Warrenton, N.C.); “GameCentral” at NCCUEaglePride.com. Starts at 5:30 p.m. (Chris Hooks, play-by-play; Joe Simmons, color analyst; Danielle Johnson-Webb, sideline)

Video: NCCUEaglePride.com features “GameCentral” by Stretch Internet ($8.95 per game or $34.95 for five-game package). Starts at 5:45 p.m.

THE EVENT
North Carolina Central University hosts its first home game of the 2011 football season, marking the O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium sideline debut of NCCU head coach Henry Frazier III. Separated by a mere 40 miles, the two universities have not met on the gridiron since 1996. The two teams enter with identical 1-1 records after each allowing more than 40 points in season-opening losses to FBS programs and scoring 42 points in comfortable week-two victories over Division II opponents.

THE SERIES
This will be the 11th meeting between the Eagles of NCCU and the Phoenix of Elon University. Elon leads the series 7-3. NCCU beat the Phoenix 17-14 in the last meeting on Sept. 14, 1996, to snap Elon’s seven game win streak.

Sept. 14, 1996 - NCCU 17, Elon 14 (Burlington, N.C.)
Sept. 9, 1995 - Elon 12, NCCU 5 (Durham, N.C.)
Sept. 14, 1991 - Elon 38, NCCU 14 (Durham, N.C.)
Sept. 8, 1990 - Elon 17, NCCU 16 (Burlington, N.C.)
Sept. 27, 1980 - Elon 28, NCCU 14 (Durham, N.C.)
Sept. 22, 1979 - Elon 5, NCCU 0 (Burlington, N.C.)
Oct. 7, 1978 - Elon 35, NCCU 7 (Durham, N.C.)
Oct. 8, 1977 - Elon 50, NCCU 8 (Burlington, N.C.)
Sept. 16, 1972 - NCCU 41, Elon 21 (Burlington, N.C.)
Sept. 18, 1971 - NCCU 14, Elon 7 (Durham, N.C.)

ABOUT ELON UNIVERSITY
Elon was founded by the Christian Church (now the United Church of Christ) in 1889, and its core values have remained constant throughout history. Elon now boasts an enrollment of more than 5,700, and its 600-acre campus is recognized by Princeton Review as one of the nation’s most beautiful college environments. The campus has been designated a botanical garden, and includes the 56-acre Elon University Forest, a land preserve and natural area for scientific research. Elon Phoenix athletics include 16 intercollegiate men’s and women’s sports in NCAA Division I (FCS football), and Elon is a member of the Southern Conference.

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).

Elon: Jason Swepson (Boston College, 1992) was introduced as the new head football coach at Elon University on January 10, 2011. Swepson is the 20th head football coach in Elon history. Swepson came to Elon after serving four seasons as the running backs coach at North Carolina State University under head coach Tom O’Brien where he helped the Wolfpack to two bowl appearances. Prior to his post at NC State, Swepson served under O’Brien at Boston College from 1999-2006 as the Eagles’ running backs coach. Swepson has experience at the FCS level as well, having coached at Northeastern University (1997-98), College of the Holy Cross (1996) and the University of Rhode Island (1993). The 1992 Boston College graduate played both running back and wide receiver for the Eagles. Swepson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development.

LAST WEEK
NCCU 42, Central State 3: 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 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.  Junior Geovonie 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. Arthur 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. Linebacker Demontray 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.

Elon 42, Concord 10: The Phoenix gained 400 yards of total offense and second-half scores included a blocked punt returned for a touchdown and a 99-yard interception return for another score. Elon quarterback Thomas Wilson finished the game with 22 completions on 27 pass attempts for 201 yards and three touchdowns. For the second consecutive game Dontay Taylor led the Phoenix in rushing. He rumbled for 75 yards and one score on 12 carries. All told, Elon rushed 39 times for 199 yards. On defense, Elon’s Gary Coates amassed eight total tackles, including six solo stops. He also had 1.5 tackles for a loss, forced a fumble and tallied one quarterback hurry. Olufemi Lamikanra had two of the three Phoenix sacks with Tony Thompson claiming the other.

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.

Elon: The Phoenix completed the 2010 season with records of 6-5 overall and 5-3 in the SoCon. Elon played five nationally-ranked opponents last year, with one of its four wins to end the season coming at No. 20 Chattanooga (Oct. 30, 49-35 W). 

EAGLES EQUAL SCORING STANDARD IN SECOND QUARTER
On Sept. 10 versus Central State, 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 record for most points scored in a quarter is 39, posted in the first quarter against Virginia Union on Nov. 16, 1968.

IRVINE REACHES CENTURY MARK IN CAREER RECEPTIONS
NCCU redshirt junior Geovonie Irvine accumulated seven receptions versus Central State last week to become the 13th Eagle in school history with 100 career receptions. The Durham, N.C. native is currently 13th among NCCU’s all-time receptions leaders with 103 catches. Irvine needs five receptions to pass Edwin Hargrove (1987-90) for the 12th spot on the list.

FRAZIER TALLIES 70TH CAREER COLLEGE COACHING VICTORY
Saturday’s win against Central State in the “Cleveland Classic” was the 70th victory in the college coaching career of NCCU head coach Henry Frazier III. The 43-year-old coach earned 26 victories in five seasons at his alma mater Bowie State University and 43 wins in seven campaigns at Prairie View A&M University.

STILL NO FIELD GOAL OR FOURTH DOWN ATTEMPTS BY EAGLES
NCCU is the only team in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference that has not attempted a field goal or a fourth down conversion.

NCCU AMONG NCAA FCS STATISTICAL LEADERS
Through two games, NCCU ranks among the NCAA Division I-FCS statistical leaders in four defensive categories. The Eagles rank sixth in pass efficiency defense (80.96), tied for 15th in total defense (277.50), tied for 21st in tackles for loss (8.00), and 24th in pass defense (155.00).  Complete Listing

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.

THREE EAGLES AMONG NCCU CAREER LEADERS
- NCCU senior quarterback Michael Johnson currently ranks seventh on NCCU’s all-time career passing list with 3,859 yards through the air. The Durham, N.C., native also ranks eighth with 34 career touchdown passes. Up next: Herman Mathews (1966-69) with 3,942 passing yards; and Garvin Stone (1969-72) with 35 TD passes.
- Junior receiver Geovonie Irvine ranks 12th among NCCU’s career receiving yards leaders with 1,463 yards and 13th in career receptions with 103. Up next: Torey Ross (2004-05) with 1,485 receiving yards; Edwin Hargrove (1987-90) with 107 receptions.
- Senior cornerback David Ingram ranks 10th among NCCU’s career passes defended leaders with 34. Up next: Hassan Smith (1999-2002) with 35.

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.