Box Score GREENVILLE, N.C. – The underdog Eagles of North Carolina Central University got off to an impressive start against FBS opponent East Carolina University, seizing a 7-0 first-quarter lead courtesy of a 31-yard fumble return for a touchdown by NCCU senior C.J. Moore. But the host Pirates righted the ship and cruised to a 52-7 victory in front of 42,758 fans at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium and a national television audience watching ESPNews on Saturday night.
Moore's scoop-and-score on a fumble forced by senior end Felix Small made the vast sea of purple and gold clad fans take notice with 10:15 on the first-quarter clock.
C.J. Moore is all smiles after returning a fumble
31 yards for a touchdown to give NCCU a
7-0 lead over ECU. (Photo by Chi Brown, NCCU)ECU's explosive offense was held to a 34-yard field goal to trim the Eagles' lead to 7-3 at 7:16 of the first stanza.
Then the Pirates used some trickery, as wide receiver Justin Hardy took a toss on an end-around and threw the pigskin 41 yards to a wide open Isaiah Jones to put ECU ahead 10-7 with 3:27 left in the first quarter.
It remained a three-point contest for most of the second quarter, until ECU scored three touchdowns in the final 6:22 before intermission to pull away for a 31-7 halftime advantage.
The Pirates scored one touchdown in the third quarter and added two late trips to the end zone to widen the margin of victory.
ECU amassed 582 yards of total offense, including 374 yards through the air. The Pirates' lethal passing attack was paced by Shane Carden, who completed 26-of-37 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns. Jones finished with 10 receptions for 150 yards, while Hardy had eight catches for 87 yards and two scores.
NCCU managed 174 total yards, including 101 passing yards by new signal caller Quinn Billerman, who completed his first six passes and finished 12-for-18. Senior running back Andre Clarke pounded out a team-best 57 yards on the ground, while junior receiver Adrian Wilkins caught four passes for 58 yards as part of a game-high 200 all-purpose yards.
Moore collected nine tackles to go along with his 31-yard fumble return for a touchdown, while fellow safety Theo Livingston topped the Eagles with 10 tackles and a pass break-up. Sophomore cornerback Michael Jones, who led NCCU as a freshman with four interceptions, recorded his fifth career pick by tapping his toes in the back of the end zone to prevent a touchdown.
Up next, NCCU hosts Elizabeth City State inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium on Sept. 6 at 5 p.m.
