Complete Game Notes (PDF)

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

THE KICKOFF
Saturday, September 8, 2012 – Kickoff at 7:00 p.m.

THE SITE
Rhodes Stadium (11,250 capacity/Natural Grass) - Elon, N.C.

THE RECORDS
N.C. Central (1-0 overall, 0-0 MEAC); Elon (0-1 overall; 0-0 SoCon)

MEDIA COVERAGE
Radio: WNCU 90.7 FM (Durham, N.C.); “GameCentral” at NCCUEaglePride.com (audio internet stream). Starts at 6:30 p.m. (Chris Hooks, play-by-play; Joe Simmons, color analyst)

QUICK HITS
• This is the first of five straight road games for NCCU.
• Saturday will be the Eagles first visit to Rhodes Stadium.
• With a win over Elon, NCCU would be 2-0 for the first time since 2006, when the Eagles finished the regular season 11-0.
• Elon will recognize five new members of its Sports Hall of Fame class at halftime.

THE SERIES
This will be the 12th meeting between the Eagles of NCCU and the Phoenix of Elon University. Elon leads the series 8-3. In the last meeting, Elon held on to a 23-22 victory in Durham on Sept. 17, 2011. In NCCU’s last road game against Elon, the Eagles won 17-14 on Sept. 14, 1996, to snap Elon’s seven-game win streak.

Sept. 17, 2011 - Elon 23, NCCU 22 (Durham, N.C.)
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 5,900, 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 (SoCon).

THE LAST MEETING
(Sept. 17, 2011 - Elon 23, NCCU 22) Elon University overcame five turnovers by piling up 525 yards of total offense and taking advantage of North Carolina Central University special teams miscues, as the visiting Phoenix escaped NCCU’s O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium with a 23-22 win on a cool, misty Saturday night. For NCCU, a Division I newcomer against a traditional FCS contender, this was the game that got away. With the visitors holding a one-point lead with less than two minutes left in the game, NCCU drove down the field to get into position for a potential game-winning 39-yard field goal. However, the snap from the long snapper was low and the rain-soaked ball slipped through the holder’s hands. Rookie kicker Oleg Parent, who missed an extra-point kick in the second quarter, never got a chance to redeem himself. The sensational Elon duo of junior quarterback Thomas Wilson and junior receiver Aaron Mellette proved too much for the Eagles to handle. Wilson completed 34 of 48 passes for a career-best 416 yards and three touchdowns, while Mellette had 16 receptions for a career-high 237 yards with a score. Wilson also made a shoe-string, touchdown-saving tackle when NCCU junior safety Marc Lewis appeared to be heading to the end zone after a first-quarter interception. The last line of defense, Wilson dove and barely tripped up Lewis at the Elon 15-yard line, and NCCU had to settle for a 30-yard field goal by Parent. Elon senior receiver Christian Dennis caught six passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns, including what proved to be the game-winner with 4:46 remaining in the game. NCCU senior signal caller Michael Johnson connected on 13 of 40 pass attempts for 153 yards and two touchdowns, both diving catches in the first half. The first was hauled in by senior receiver Demario Lackey at 8:29 of the second quarter to tie the game at 10-10. The second scoring grab was made by junior receiver Geovonie Irvine with 3:44 remaining before the halftime intermission. Parent pushed the extra-point kick wide right as Elon entered the locker room with a 17-16 lead. Neither team scored in the third quarter or the first half of the final frame. Ironically, the first points of the second half were posted by NCCU freshman linebacker Tiron Guion, who intercepted Wilson’s overthrown pass at the Elon 25-yard line and rumbled 75 yards to the end zone with fellow rookie linebacker Prince Williams leading the way. That touchdown scamper gave the home team its first lead of the game at 22-17 with 7:17 on the fourth quarter clock. The Phoenix did not let the home crowd cheer for too long. On the ensuing drive, Elon covered 64 yards in just seven plays as Wilson found Dennis open over the middle for a 27-yard go-ahead touchdown with 4:46 remaining. NCCU tried to answer back, converting twice on fourth down to move the ball to the 22-yard line. However, Johnson threw three incomplete passes before the botched field goal attempt. While Elon racked up the most yards by an NCCU opponent since Appalachian State in 2009, the Eagles managed 219 yards of total offense.

LAST WEEK
(NCCU 54, Fayetteville State 31 - Durham, N.C.) North Carolina Central University took advantage of big special teams plays and Fayetteville State University turnovers to open the season with a 54-31 victory in front of 9,077 fans inside O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium. All three phases of the football game – offense, defense and special teams – seemed to be clicking for the Eagles. Offensively, NCCU amassed 420 yards of total offense, including 223 through the air and 197 on the ground. Defensively, the Eagles forced four turnovers, including an interception for a touchdown and three fumble recoveries that set up two scores. On special teams, NCCU returned two punts for touchdowns. NCCU junior transfer quarterback Matt Goggans completed 15-of-26 passes for 223 yards and a 20-yard touchdown strike to senior receiver Geovonie Irvine, who finished with six receptions for 79 yards. Irvine also returned three kickoffs for 76 yards and two punts for 36 yards with a 31-yard touchdown scamper to account for 191 all-purpose yards. The Eagles utilized the three-headed running attack of senior Arthur Goforth, senior Gary Douglas and sophomore Andre Clarke, who combined for 197 yards and four touchdowns. Goforth led the way with 85 yards and a score on 13 carries, followed by Douglas with 70 yards and a score on eight rushes, while Clarke added 42 yards and two trips to the end zone on eight runs. As a team, the NCCU defense recorded 10 tackles behind the line of scrimmage with three sacks. Sophomore linebacker Tiron Guion and sophomore safety C.J. Moore topped a wealth of defensive contributors with eight tackles apiece. Senior safety Rickie Hubbard contributed six stops, while senior lineman Stephen Young tallied six hits with two takedowns for a loss with an assisted sack and a forced fumble. Junior linebacker Allonte Tuppins put points on the board for the defense by returning an interception 69 yards for a touchdown.

(North Carolina 62, Elon 0 - Chapel Hill, N.C.) North Carolina racked up 524 yards of total offense en route to a 62-0 victory over Elon. The Phoenix defense forced two turnovers - an Edward Burns interception and a fumble forced by Chandler Wrightenberry and recovered by Jordan Jones. Elon quarterback Thomas Wilson completed 13 of his 27 passes for 99 yards.  Kierre Brown was the Phoenix’s leading receiver, snaring four balls for 31 yards.

IRVINE ONE YARD SHY OF 2,000 RECEIVING YARDS
After tallying 79 receiving yards in the season-opener against Fayetteville State, senior Geovonie Irvine needs just one yard to become just the sixth Eagle in school history to record 2,000 receiving yards.

IRVINE RANKS FOURTH AMONG NCCU RECEIVERS
Senior receiver Geovonie Irvine ranks as NCCU’s fourth all-time leading receiver with 144 career catches for 1,999 yards and 14 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. Robert Clark (1983-86) is NCCU’s career leader in receptions with 210 for 4,231 yards and 38 touchdowns.

NCCU’S JAMES NAMED MEAC OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK
NCCU redshirt freshman Darius James was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in a week one 54-31 victory over Fayetteville State. A 6-3, 300-pound native of Shallotte, N.C., James graded out at 92 percent and aided the Eagles as they amassed 420 yards of total offense, including 197 rushing and 223 through the air.  He also recorded five pancake blocks and two knockdown blocks.

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).

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.

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.). He also led the Eagles with 47 receptions for 580 yards and five touchdowns. Irvine enters his final season as NCCU’s fourth all-time leading receiver with 138 career catches for 1,920 yards and 13 trips to the end zone. 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.

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 (an E.E. Smith High School product from Fayetteville, N.C.) are out of action for 2012 after suffering knee injuries.

NCCU PICKED TO FINISH NINTH IN THE MEAC
Under the direction of second-year head coach Henry Frazier III, North Carolina Central University has been 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.

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. Visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com for more information.

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.