DURHAM, N.C. – South Carolina State University pounded out 232 yards rushing and shut down North Carolina Central University's ground game to cruise to a 44-3 victory over the Eagles in a Thursday night ESPNU contest inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

The fifth straight win for SC State keeps the Bulldogs unbeaten in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play at 3-0, while improving their overall record to 5-2 heading into a bye week. NCCU suffers its first conference loss to fall to 1-1 and 3-3 overall.

SCSU tallied 476 yards of total offense, with quarterback Richard Cue throwing for 191 yards and a touchdown. Justin Taylor topped the dominant Bulldogs rushing attack with 75 yards and a score, while Xavier Quick carried the ball twice into the end zone.

NCCU finished with 105 yards of total offense and was held to negative-11 yards rushing. Quarterback Jordan Reid faced pressure from the SCSU defense most of the night, completing just 9-of-25 passes for 116 yards and being sacked five times.

NCCU safety Ryan Smith recorded a game-high 11 tackles with an interception and a pass break-up. C.J. Moore also contributed 11 takedowns, while Jordan Miles added 10 stops.

The lone score of the night for the host Eagles was a 46-yard field goal by Oleg Parent  with 3:10 left in the second quarter, after SCSU tallied the first 27 points of the game. The Bulldogs added another touchdown before the break to take a 34-3 cushion into the locker room.

NCCU returns to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium next Saturday, Oct. 19 to face Morgan State at 2 p.m. for the university's homecoming game.