TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - North Carolina Central University scored 10 unanswered points in the final six minutes, including the game-winning 20-yard field goal by freshman
Nigel Macauley, as the Eagles rallied for a 27-24 victory over Florida A&M University on Saturday at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.
NCCU (2-3, 1-1 MEAC) jumped out to a 17-10 lead courtesy of a 20-yard field goal by Macauley after a blocked punt by senior
C.J. Moore, a 7-yard run by freshman running back
Dorrel McClain, and a 10-yard pass from junior
Malcolm Bell to sophomore
Armani Lanier. FAMU (0-
6, 0-3 MEAC) scored to even the score at halftime, then took a 24-17 advantage in the third quarter.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Bell left the game after a jarring hit and was replaced by senior Quinn Billerman, who converted a fourth down play to extend the drive and connected with Lanier from 12 yards out to tie the score at 24-24 with 5:19 left to play.After the NCCU defense forced a three-and-out, the Eagles got the ball back with 4:07 on the clock. McClain and fellow rookie running back
Ramone Simpson combined for 30 rushing yards and a pass interference penalty helped move the Eagles to the FAMU 2-yard line to set up the game--winning field goal by Macauley with just 15 seconds remaining.
Bell completed 10-of-22 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown with an interception, along with a team-high 98 rushing yards on 12 carries. Billerman finished with 47 passing yards and a touchdown on 6-for-8 passing. McClain added 75 rushing yards and a score, while
LaVontis Smith topped the Eagles with five receptions for 19 yards.
Defensively, NCCU was sparked by junior linebacker
Jeremy Thompson with seven solo stops, along with senior cornerback
Ryan Smith with five solo takedowns. Moore had five tackles and a fumble recovery, while
Davanta Reynolds forced a fumble and intercepted a pass.
Reggie Hunter recorded the second of NCCU's two blocked punts.
NCCU returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Savannah State.
NCCU Football Postgame NotesFinal Score: NCCU 27, Florida A&M 24
- NCCU's first win over FAMU since beating Rattlers 9-3 on Sept. 15, 1973 in Atlanta, Ga.
- NCCU's first win over FAMU in Tallahassee, Florida – FAMU won two prior meetings.
- FAMU still leads series 6-2-1 since first meeting in 1939.
- NCCU blocked two FAMU punts and now have three blocked punts this season.
C.J. Moore blocked his second punt of the season in the first quarter, his third in last two seasons.
- NCCU held FAMU to 15 rushing yards – fewest rushing yards by NCCU opponent since Sept. 29, 2001 in 45-0 win over Edward Waters (-42 rushing yards).
