by Justice Davis, Sports Information Student Assistant

ORANGEBURG, S.C. - Redshirt sophomore quarterback Malcolm Bell and North Carolina Central University's no-huddle offense were off to a slow start down 21-10 against South Carolina State in the second quarter at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium on Saturday. 

So the Eagles turned to senior running back Andre Clarke and the ground game to lead them on a 48-35 victory, putting NCCU at 2-0 in conference play to tie for the top spot in the MEAC. 

Clarke tied a career-high by running for 144 yards, averaging 10.3 yards per carry, and three touchdowns in the contest. As a team, NCCU had 290 yards on the ground, which is the most by the Eagles since 2004. Big games from Bell (64 yds.) and running back Idreis Augustus (82 yds.) complimented Clarke. 

The Bulldogs were on top 21-10 in the second quarter, and it would have been 21-3 without a 55-yard touchdown run by Bell. 

An interception by sophomore cornerback Michael Jones, his third of the season, with 2:50 left in the second quarter set up Clarke's first touchdown and closed the gap to four points heading into halftime with NCCU down 21-17. 

The Eagles' defense forced another turnover, the second of the contest, in the third quarter, which led to an Augustus touchdown at 13:11 of the fourth that all but guaranteed victory for NCCU. 

The Eagles extended their scoring run to 31 unanswered points on Clarke's third walk into the end zone, giving them a 41-21 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

SC State tacked on two late touchdowns, but was unable to keep up with NCCU on offense. The Eagles added a final blow with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Bell to Adrian Wilkins, who finished with 12 catches for 144 yards. 

SC State was forced to punt seven times compared to the Eagles' three. NCCU amassed 517 yards of total offense, while holding the Bulldogs to 262 total yards.

NCCU sophomore linebacker Jeremy Thompson recorded eight tackles, including 2.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. Fellow linebacker Jordan Miles also contributed eight takedowns for the Eagles.

NCCU was ready for SC State following a tough early season schedule, and was eager for payback from last year's 44-3 home defeat to SC State on ESPNU. 

This win should momentarily silence the questions about this NCCU team after putting 48 on a solid SC State defense, which is the most points ever given up by the Bulldogs to a conference opponent under the direction of 13-year head coach Buddy Pugh. 

The team congratulated NCCU head coach Jerry Mack with an ice bath as the clock ticked down. The Eagles were pumped, as they shouted "statement game" and proclaimed Mack "best in the MEAC." 

Mack said after the game, "It was a statement game. We talked about it all week, come out and play focused, play disciplined." 

The Eagles now must prepare to go back to Baltimore to play the Bears of Morgan State University.