Final Statistics         

by Justice Davis, Sports Information Intern

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Eagles of North Carolina Central University came to Daytona Beach with hopes to upset the No. 20 Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at Municipal Stadium on Saturday, but ultimately fell by a score of 34-20 to the reigning MEAC champions. 

The game started with both defenses flexing their muscle, leading to five straight three-and-outs until Bethune-Cookman scored on the sixth drive of the game to take a 7-0 lead at 1:57 in the first quarter. 
 

The Eagles responded in the second quarter. After two runs from junior running back Deyonta Wright of 20 and 25 yards respectively, redshirt sophomore quarterback Malcolm Bell connected to junior wide receiver Quentin Atkinson for a 50-yard touchdown with 8:46 left in the quarter. Atkinson's touchdown catch puts him at four total on the year to tie with fellow junior receiver Anas Hasic for the team lead. 

On NCCU's next drive, the Eagles took the ball down field and finished with a three-yard touchdown run by senior running back Andre Clarke with 2:45 left until halftime. 

The Eagles continued to roll on defense by forcing a fumble at the Bethune-Cookman 44-yard line that was recovered by senior defensive back C.J. Moore, who finished the contest with a game-high 11 tackles and leads the Eagles in recoveries with three on the season. 

At the end of the quarter, the Eagles drove downfield, but due to problems with the game clock were unable to kick a field goal before time expired. Taking a 14-7 advantage into halftime, the Eagles are the first team in the MEAC this season to gain the lead on Bethune-Cookman after the first half of play. 

The Wildcats appeared to be in danger of losing back-to-back games for the first time since 2012, and in danger of losing two games in the MEAC for the first time since 2011 after losing 20-14 to South Carolina State last week. 

The defense of Bethune-Cookman proved to be the deciding factor in the game, giving the Eagles a hard time moving the football as two of their three scoring drives came when the Eagles were working with a short field. 

The Eagles' first drive of the second half was a three-and-out and the Wildcats took advantage of the opportunity by scoring on a 60-yard drive before not converting their two-point attempt making the score 14-13. 

The Eagles responded before their offense took the field with a 91-yard kick return by junior wide receiver Adrian Wilkins, putting the ball at Bethune-Cookman's 4-yard line. 

It only took one play for Clarke to return to the end zone for his second touchdown of the game, putting him at 12 on the year. A blocked extra point attempt gave the Eagles only a seven point lead at 20-13 with 7:32 left in the quarter. 

The Eagles were unable to score again as Bethune-Cookman went on to score 21 unanswered points to close the game. NCCU falls to 3-2 in MEAC play and 4-5 on the season. 

Bethune-Cookman (7-2, 4-1 MEAC) amassed 453 yards of total offense, including 334 yards on the ground. NCCU managed 200 yards of total offense, but the nation's second-ranked defense held the Eagles to 20 total yards after intermission.

Bell completed 14-of-28 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown, as his streak of six games with 200 passing yards and a scoring pass came to an end.  Atkinson was the Eagles' top receiver with four catches for 80 yards and a score, while Wright topped NCCU with 48 rushing yards.

Next week, NCCU prepares for homecoming as they take on the Pirates of Hampton University. The last time the Eagles hosted the Pirates was in a thrilling 37-20 victory on ESPNU.