Written by Staci Green

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DURHAM, N.C.- The North Carolina Central University football team made way for a physical 47-13 homecoming victory in front of a sellout crowd of 11,964 against the Hampton University Pirates Saturday, Nov. 8 in O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

Turnovers were the name of the game as NCCU forced five Pirate turnovers in Saturday's battle.

"I think we saw a total team effort tonight," said NCCU football head coach Jerry Mack. "We saw special teams, offense, and defense all come together tonight to be able to pull off the win."

NCCU running back Andre Clarke reached his 13th touchdown of the season and his 28th of his career, tying him for second all-time rushing touchdowns with Joe Simmons.
Defensively, C.J. Moore and Jeremy Thompson each contributed seven tackles, followed by Ty Brown who accumulated five tackles, including 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for a loss. Theo Livingston caught one of NCCU's two interceptions, along with five total tackles, one for a loss, and one fumble recovery.

Following an early NCCU first quarter touchdown catch by Quentin Atkinson, the Pirates responded with a second quarter four-yard rushing touchdown by Jorrian Washington, tying the score at seven.

The Eagles amassed 23 second-quarter points, scoring four times within the last six minutes of the first half.

Quarterback Malcolm Bell looped a high pass to Deyonta Wright for a reaching touchdown, upping the score to 14-7. The Eagles were not quite ready to let up on the Pirates.

After the NCCU defense forced Hampton to punt, sophomore Reggie Hunter blocked the punt, freshman Mykael Martin caught it, and returned it to the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown. With kicker Eric Fenton on the finishing touches, the Eagles stretched the gap to 21-7 with 2:37 remaining in the half.

Cameron Hughes decided to keep the ball in the Eagles possession with a solid interception return touchdown of 55 yards at 1:57 on the clock.

The second quarter scoring concluded with a 28-yard field goal from Fenton. By halftime, the Eagles were comfortably leading 30-7.

NCCU held the Pirates to zero scores in the third quarter, while managing 10 points.  

A forced fumble by Sayyid Muhammad, with Tre Smith on the recovery, set up the Eagles for another field goal attempt. The kick by Fenton was good from 33 yards with 7:10 on the clock in the third quarter, as the Eagles continued their dominance, sitting 33-7 over Hampton.

Bell made for his first rushing touchdown of the game late in third quarter with a quick, one-yard run into the end zone. After five plays and 22 yards, NCCU took control with 40 points on the board to Hampton's seven.

The fourth quarter began with a Pirate five-yard touchdown pass caught by Twarn Mixson, cutting the lead to 40-13.

NCCU was rather silent during the fourth quarter, but managed to pick up the speed with a 17-yard touchdown run from Clarke to obtain the final score of 47-13.

NCCU will travel to the William "Dick" Price Stadium Saturday, Nov. 15 to take on the Spartans of Norfolk State University at 2 p.m.