THE GAME
Hampton University “Pirates” vs. North Carolina Central University “Eagles”

THE KICKOFF
Thursday, October 18, 2012 – Kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

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

THE RECORDS
N.C. Central (4-2 overall, 3-0 MEAC); Hampton (1-4 overall, 1-2 MEAC)

MEDIA COVERAGE
Radio: WNCU 90.7 FM (Durham, N.C.); “GameCentral” at NCCUEaglePride.com (audio internet stream). Starts at 7:00 p.m. (Chris Hooks, play-by-play; Joe Simmons, color analyst)

Television: ESPNU - broadcast starts at 7:30 p.m. (Joe Davis, play-by-play; Jay Walker, color analyst). Launched on March 4, 2005, ESPNU is a multimedia college sports brand, highlighted by a 24-hour television network that reaches approximately 73 million households.

QUICK HITS
• After five straight road games, NCCU returns home to O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium for the first time since the season-opener versus Fayetteville State on Sept. 1.
• Riding a three-game win streak, NCCU is tied for the top spot in the MEAC.
• Game will be nationally-televised by ESPNU, reaching about 73 million homes.

THE SERIES
This will be the 23rd football meeting between North Carolina Central University and Hampton University since the teams first met in 1924. Hampton leads the series 17-5. The Pirates have won each of the past eight meetings, with NCCU’s last victory in the series coming on Sept. 24, 1983 in Durham, N.C., by a score of 24-20.

10/22/2011 - Hampton 30, NCCU 27 OT (Hampton, Va.)
10/9/2010 - Hampton 27, NCCU 13 (Durham, N.C.)
9/5/2009 - Hampton 31, NCCU 24 (Hampton, Va.)
11/14/1992 - Hampton 31, NCCU 19 (Hampton, Va.)
11/16/1991 - Hampton 44, NCCU 28 (Durham, N.C.)
9/29/1990 - Hampton 33, NCCU 21 (Hampton, Va.)
9/30/1989 - Hampton 27, NCCU 7 (Durham, N.C.)
9/22/1984 - Hampton 17, NCCU 13 (Hampton, Va.)
9/24/1983 - NCCU 24, Hampton 20 (Durham, N.C.)
10/2/1954 - NCCU 28, Hampton 0 (Hampton, Va.)
10/3/1953 - NCCU 25, Hampton 0 (Hampton, Va.)
10/4/1952 - NCCU 21, Hampton 12 (Hampton, Va.)
9/29/1951 - NCCU 28, Hampton 6 (Durham, N.C.)
10/5/1935 - Hampton 31, NCCU 0 (Durham, N.C.)
10/20/1934 - Hampton 20, NCCU 0 (Hampton, Va.)
9/29/1933 - Hampton 7, NCCU 0 (Durham, N.C.)
10/1/1932 - Hampton 19, NCCU 0 (Hampton, Va.)
10/3/1931 - Hampton 24, NCCU 0 (Durham, N.C.)
10/26/1929 - Hampton 25, NCCU 0 (Hampton, Va.)
11/3/1928 - Hampton 38, NCCU 7 (Durham, N.C.)
10/16/1926 - Hampton 20, NCCU 0 (Durham, N.C.)
1924 - Hampton 31, NCCU 0

THE LAST MEETING
(Oct. 22, 2011 - Hampton 30, NCCU 27 - OT) NCCU thought its losing streak was over. After kicking a field goal on their possession in overtime, the Eagles started celebrating a victory after an official indicated that NCCU recovered a Hampton University fumble, which would have ended the game. However, other officials uncovered the pile of players and indicated that Hampton had the ball. The Pirates took advantage of the new life, scoring the game-winning touchdown five plays later on a 1-yard run by Jeremiah Schwartz. Hampton’s homecoming crowd erupted and started its own celebration with a 30-27 overtime victory at Armstrong Stadium in Hampton, Va. It was just one of those days for the visiting Eagles. Hampton fumbled three times, but all went back to the home team. NCCU fumbled twice, both going to the Pirates and leading to scores. And just when NCCU seemed in control of the contest - scoring on a seven-play, 85-yard drive to take a 17-16 lead early in the fourth quarter on a 8-yard touchdown scamper by redshirt freshman Idreis Augustus - a bouncing snap from center on a punt attempt gave the Pirates the ball just five yards away from the go-ahead touchdown. Still, after NCCU senior wide receiver Jonathan Nicely hauled in a 36-yard bomb from senior quarterback Michael Johnson to tie the score at 24-24 with just 1:54 left in the fourth quarter, it seemed as if the Eagles would overcome those setbacks. The NCCU defense even thwarted a last-second charge by the Pirates when senior cornerback Brian Frierson refused the let a Hampton ball carrier get out of bounds to stop the clock, as the final seconds ticked away before the Pirates’ field goal unit could execute a play. So after a 60-minute roller coaster ride, the victor came down to one possession for each squad. Hampton won the overtime coin toss and elected to play defense first. NCCU pushed the pigskin to the 11-yard line, but had to settle for a 28-yard field goal by rookie kicker Oleg Parent. On Hampton’s first offensive play in overtime, NCCU lineman Chase Tripp knocked the ball away from running back Antwon Chisholm and safety Marc Lewis appeared to recover the loose ball for the Eagles. But when a mass of bodies cleared, it was Hampton offensive lineman Jamal Wilson who was holding the game in his hands. Five plays later, a pass interference call against NCCU put the Pirates on the 2-yard line with first down and goal to go.  Schwartz ended the drama with his 1-yard touchdown plunge, giving Hampton its eighth straight win in the series with the Eagles. NCCU amassed 381 yards of total offense, but Hampton surpassed that effort with 450 total yards for an average of 5.5 yards per play.

ABOUT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1868 as the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, Hampton University boasts an enrollment of 5,402 students. Notable alumni include Booker T. Washington and Emmy Award winning comedian Wanda Sykes.

THE COACHES
North Carolina Central: Henry Frazier III (Bowie State, 1993) is in his second 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).

Hampton: Donovan Rose is in his 22nd season with the Hampton University football program and the fourth as head coach. He was selected as the 2003 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year in Division I-AA and the All-American Football Foundation Mike Campbell Top Assistant Coach Award. A 1979 graduate of Hampton University, Rose was an All-CIAA performer who was named the conference defensive player of the year during his senior year. Donovan also earned All-American honors and was named a starter and captain on the 1978 All-Star Team, which was played in New Orleans Super Dome. He later signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent in 1980, and also played for several championship teams in the Canadian Football League, winning the Grey Cup with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1984. In 1986, he joined the Miami Dolphins and led the team in interceptions. Rose retired from Miami in 1988.

LAST WEEK
(NCCU 24, Morgan State 20) With his team trailing and less than a minute remaining in the contest, North Carolina Central University senior tight end Detwan Robinson caught a short pass then broke three tackles on his way to the end zone for the game-winning touchdown, as the visiting Eagles spoiled Morgan State University’s homecoming with a 24-20 victory inside Hughes Stadium in Baltimore, Md. The home team held a 20-17 advantage when NCCU senior Geovonie Irvine returned a punt 20 yards to set the Eagles up with good field position at the Morgan State 47-yard line. NCCU redshirt junior quarterback Jordan Reid was sacked back to the NCCU 47-yard line. Reid then completed four straight passes – two to Robinson and two to senior running back Arthur Goforth – to move the Eagles to the 26-yard line. After Reid’s only incomplete pass of the drive, a throw-away to avoid a sack on third down, NCCU faced fourth down with two yards to go. NCCU head coach Henry Frazier, coaching in his home state for the first time since he was coaching his alma mater Bowie State in 2003, decided to go for the first down and the win. Robinson caught a short pass with enough yards for the first down, then powered his way through three tackles, spun away from a bunch of defenders and raced into the blue-and-orange end zone for the game-winner with 25 seconds left on the clock. Robinson, who recorded his first catch of the season last week against South Carolina State (a 9-yard TD), finished the day with four receptions for 48 yards. Reid, who completed 17-of-20 passes for 133 yards in the second half, threw for 261 yards on 29-of-38 passing with a touchdown and an interception. Goforth amassed 189 all-purpose yards with a team-high 74 rushing yards, including a 10-yard touchdown scamper in the third quarter, 45 receiving yards on a team-best eight catches, and 70 kickoff return yards on three attempts. NCCU’s defensive effort was topped by junior linebacker Tazmon Foster with 11 tackles, while sophomore linebacker Ty Brown recorded nine takedowns (eight solo), including 3.0 hits for a loss with a pair of sacks, along with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. NCCU compiled 334 yards of total offense, while Morgan State collected 258 total yards, including 167 yards on the ground.

(Hampton 28, Norfolk State 14) Hampton University picked up its first win of the season by defeating rival Norfolk State 28-14 at Armstrong Stadium in the annual Battle of the Bay. Hampton senior running back Jeremiah Schwartz tallied 116 yards on the ground on 29 touches and two touchdowns. He averaged 4.0 yards a carry. The Pirates defense held Norfolk State to just 54 rushing yards, while forcing five Spartans turnovers.

NCCU RUN DEFENSE TOPS IN MEAC, AMONG BEST IN NATION
Through six games, the NCCU defense has allowed 119.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks first in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and 19th among the statistical leaders of the NCAA Division I-FCS. The Eagles also rank 11th in the nation (FCS) in tackles for loss with an average of 7.5 per contest.

NCCU BOASTS SECOND-RANKED SCORING OFFENSE IN CONFERENCE
NCCU boasts the second-ranked scoring offense in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and ranks 28th among NCAA Division I-FCS teams. The Eagles average 32.3 points per game, and have scored 109 points in the last three contests.

PUNT RETURN PROWESS 
NCCU leads the MEAC and ranks third among NCAA Division I-FCS programs with a punt return average of 23.1 yards. The Eagles have returned 10 punts for 231 yards and they are the only FCS team with three punt return touchdowns. The only other NCAA Division I program with three punt return touchdowns in Missouri.

CLARKE IS A TOUCHDOWN MAKER
NCCU redshirt sophomore running back Andre Clarke (5-10, 232) has rushed for at least one touchdown in every game this season. He ranks second in the MEAC with an average of 8.0 points per contest.

NCCU’S ALL-PURPOSE DUO
Two of the seven Eagles to ever reach the 3,000-yard milestone in career all-purpose yards are currently on the NCCU squad. NCCU senior Arthur Goforth (5-8, 171) boasts 3,416 all-purpose yards and redshirt senior Geovonie Irvine (5-7, 161) has 3,033 all-purpose yards. The other Eagles to have accomplished that feat are Robert Clark (1983-86), Anthony Cooley (1988-91), Joe Simmons (1990-93), Monte Southerland (1993-96), and Greg Pruitt, Jr. (2004-06).

IRVINE IS SIXTH EAGLE WITH 2,000 RECEIVING YARDS
After tallying 53 receiving yards at Elon, senior Geovonie Irvine became just the sixth Eagle in NCCU history to record 2,000 receiving yards. The redshirt senior now has 2,110 career receiving yards to rank fifth on the school’s all-time list. Irvine needs 20 receiving yards to pass Terrence McNeill (1983-86; 2,129 yards) into the fourth spot.

IRVINE RANKS FOURTH AMONG NCCU RECEIVERS... AND CLIMBING
Senior receiver Geovonie Irvine ranks as NCCU’s fourth all-time leading receiver with 152 career catches for 2,110 yards and 15 trips to the end zone. Up next on the list in the third spot is Antoine Calloway (1993-96) with 153 receptions for 1,920 yards and 17 touchdowns, followed by Robert Green (1983-86) with 155 catches for 2,309 yards and 17 touchdowns. Robert Clark (1983-86) is NCCU’s career leader in receptions with 210 for 4,231 yards and 38 touchdowns. Irvine needs four catches to move into the No. 2 position on the NCCU career receptions list.

PUNTING ACCURACY STREAK BY CORNELIUS COMES TO AN END
On Saturday (Oct. 13) at Morgan State, a streak of 24 punts placed inside the 20-yard line without a touchback by NCCU junior punter Matthew Cornelius (R-Jr., 6-0, 163, Charlotte, N.C.) came to an end. The last time Cornelius had one of his accurately-placed punts trickle into the end zone was during the third game of the 2011 season against Elon. In 96 punts during his NCCU career, Cornelius has knocked 31 punts inside the 20-yard line with only two touchbacks. He also has blasted five punts 50 yards or better with a career-long boot of 66 yards.

ARTHUR GOING FORTH IN KICKOFF RETURN YARDAGE
NCCU senior running back and return specialist Arthur Goforth (Sr., 5-8, 171, Columbia, S.C.) has moved passed Montez Patterson (1998-2001 / 1,658 kickoff return yards) into second place on the Eagles’ career kickoff return yards list with 1,900 yards. Goforth boasts two of the longest kickoff returns in NCCU history, ranking third with a 97-yard score against Winston-Salem State on Sept. 11, 2010, and eighth with a 92-yard trip to the end zone at Appalachian State on Sept. 18, 2010. During his career as an Eagle, he has amassed 3,416 all-purpose yards (759 rushing, 277 receiving, 480 punt return, 1,900 kickoff return).

EAGLES RECEIVE VOTES IN NATIONAL FCS POLL
For the first time in since making the transition to NCAA Division I-FCS competition in 2007, NCCU has received votes in The Sports Network FCS Top 25 Poll, garnering three votes this week with a 4-2 overall record and a three-game win streak.

NCCU RECEIVER NICELY PULLS DOUBLE-DUTY
NCCU senior receiver Jonathan Nicely (R-Sr., 6-4, 197, Augusta, Ga.) is also a forward on the NCCU men’s basketball team. Nicely, who was also a two-sport standout at Evans High School (Ga.), came off the Eagles bench in 17 games during the 2011-12 season, averaging 1.9 minutes of action. As a sophomore in 2010-11, he appeared in 27 contests, averaging 6.8 minutes per game.

EAGLES ACHIEVE RECORD-SCORING QUARTERS
The 2012 Eagles have either tied or broken an NCCU record for scoring in a quarter twice this season. Against Savannah State, NCCU scored 28 points after intermission to tie the school record for points scored in the third quarter. In the team’s next outing (after a bye week), the Eagles set a new NCCU standard by scoring a school record 30 points in the second quarter. The NCCU record for points scored in any quarter is 39, posted in the first quarter against Virginia Union on Nov. 16, 1968.

ABOUT NCCU FOOTBALL
North Carolina Central University enters its second season of full NCAA Division I (FCS) athletic competition as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Eagles won back-to-back football conference championships and a Black College National Championship in their final two years in the Division II ranks (2005 and 2006) before starting the transition to Division I in 2007. During its storied gridiron tradition, NCCU has produced 129 all-conference selections, 63 all-Americans, 40 NFL draft picks, 10 conference championships and two Black College National Championships.

NCCU’S IRVINE, PROCTOR EARN PRESEASON HONORS
NCCU seniors Geovonie Irvine and Xavier Proctor were selected to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Preseason All-Conference Football Team. Irvine, a 5-7, 161-pound native of Durham, N.C., was named to the All-MEAC First Team as a return specialist. Last season Irvine garnered All-MEAC Second Team recognition in the postseason after returning 18 kickoffs for 400 yards (22.2 avg.), including an 81-yard touchdown scamper, and six punts for 54 yards (9.0 avg.). Proctor, a 6-6, 272-pound native of Ellicott City, Md., earned All-MEAC Second Team honors as a defensive lineman. In 2011, he tallied 37 tackles with 7.5 hits for a loss and 3.5 sacks, along with two quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a blocked kick.

NCCU PICKED TO FINISH NINTH IN THE MEAC
NCCU was picked to finish ninth in the 11-team Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, according to a poll of league head football coaches and sports information directors. In its first season back in the MEAC, NCCU placed 10th during the 2011 campaign with a 1-7 conference record and an overall mark of 2-9.

PRESEASON INJURIES HURT NCCU
NCCU’s offense took a hit in the preseason with two season-ending injuries. The Eagles’ leading rusher Idreis Augustus and veteran redshirt senior receiver Andrew Johnson are out of action for 2012 after suffering knee injuries.

LISTEN TO NCCU FOOTBALL ON WNCU 90.7 FM
Thanks to a new partnership between WNCU 90.7 FM and the North Carolina Central University Department of Athletics, the 50,000-watt Durham radio station will air the broadcast of NCCU football games during the 2012 season. The 90.7 FM signal encompasses a coverage area of more than 100 miles, reaching listeners in Durham, Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill and beyond. WNCU, a non-commercial public radio station, last carried NCCU football games during the regular season in 1997. “I am excited about this revitalized collaboration with NCCU Athletics and the football program,” said Lackisha Freeman, WNCU General Manager.  “Additionally, I am glad to have the football games back on our airwaves and hope this will demonstrate the true meaning of ‘Eagle Pride, Amplified.’  I am optimistic that this partnership will be rewarding for all parties involved, most importantly, our student-athletes.” According to Freeman, WNCU plans to have a presence at all NCCU home football games, giving fans the opportunity to listen to its programming and meet the station’s on-air personalities and staff. “I am truly excited about our new partnership with WNCU,” said Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree, NCCU Director of Athletics.  “The opportunity for NCCU Athletics to be a part of the WNCU family of loyal followers will enhance our constituent-base and that of WNCU.  General Manager Lackisha Freeman has been tremendous in this collaborative effort and we look forward to the marketing potential this partnership will bring to the Department of Athletics and WNCU.” Chris Hooks, entering his fifth gridiron season as the play-by-play voice of the NCCU Sports Network, will continue to announce the live action. The broadcasts will begin with a pre-game show 30 minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff time. For more details about WNCU 90.7 FM, visit www.WNCU.org.

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, 2011, in front of McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium. Tru-Pak Moving Systems, Inc., “The Official Mover of NCCU Football,” uses the 28-foot truck to transport the Eagles’ gridiron equipment to road games and is part of 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 is used primarily to aid the NCCU football program move its equipment to and from the site of competition, which enhances 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 is 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.