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THE GAMEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
North Carolina Central University "Eagles" vs. Savannah State University "Tigers"
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THE KICKOFFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Saturday, October 17, 2015 – Kickoff at 2:00 p.m.
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THE SITEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Ted Wright Stadium (8,500 capacity/Field Turf) - Savannah, Ga.
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THE RECORDSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
N.C. Central (2-3 overall, 1-1 MEAC); Savannah State (1-4, 1-2 MEAC)
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MEDIA COVERAGEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Audio: NCCU Sports Network "GameCentral" at NCCUEaglePride.com (audio internet stream). Broadcast starts at 1:30 p.m. (
Kyle Serba, play-by-play).
Video: Savannah State All-Access at SSUathletics.com (video internet stream - $5.95).
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QUICK HITSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
•  Savannah State celebrates Homecoming.
•  NCCU leads the series 7-2-1 over Savannah State. The Eagles have won three straight after dropping back-to-back games to the Tigers in 2010 and 2011.
•  NCCU's red-zone offense tops the MEAC and ranks 19th in the NCAA Division I-FCS at 90.5 percent (19-of-21).
•  NCCU freshman kicker
Nigel Macauley leads the MEAC and ranks third in the FCS in field goals made (1.75 per game). He is also the conference's leading scorer at 8.8 points per contest.
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C.J. Moore's seven tackles at Florida A&M moves the safety to ninth on the Eagles' career tackles list 243 stops. Moore ranks fifth in the conference in tackles (8.4 per game) and is tied for the league lead in interceptions (0.40 picks per game).
•  In the past 39 games (start of 2012 season), NCCU has scored 27 touchdowns on defense and special teams, including three in 2015.
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FLASHBACK TO 2014Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
•  NCCU won a share of the MEAC Championship with a 6-2 conference record.
•  The Eagles posted the most wins as a NCAA Division I-FCS program with a 7-5 overall record.
•  The Eagles earned the program's first win over a nationally-ranked FCS opponent by defeating No. 24 North Carolina A&T in the final game of the season on Nov. 22.
•  NCCU broke the school record for completions in a season with 227, topping the mark set by the 2011 Eagles of 210.
•  The Eagles ranked third in the nation (FCS) in turnover margin at +12.0.
•  NCCU quarterback
Malcolm Bell passed for 1,982 yards with 15 touchdowns and just five interceptions, completing 177 of 286 passes as a sophomore.
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THE SERIESÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
This will be the 11th football meeting between Savannah State University and North Carolina Central University. NCCU leads the series 7-2-1. The Tigers won both games in the series in 2010 and 2011, but the Eagles have won the last three match-ups. In the first contest between the Tigers and Eagles, the two teams played to a 0-0 tie to open the 1974 season (Sept. 14, 1974) in Savannah, Ga. NCCU then won four straight match-ups with the Tigers between 1975-2009. On Nov. 13, 2010, the Tigers captured their first series win over NCCU with a 28-21 victory in Savannah, Ga., and made it two straight on Sept. 24, 2011 by edging the Eagles 33-30 in Durham, N.C. In 2013, NCCU out-scored the Tigers 24-10 in Savannah, Ga. In 2014, held home field with a 42-14 victory.
Oct. 25, 2014 - NCCU 42, SSU 14 (Durham, N.C.)
Oct. 26, 2013 - NCCU 24, SSU 10 (Savannah, Ga.)
Sept. 22, 2012 - NCCU 45, SSU 33 (Savannah, Ga.)
Sept. 24, 2011 - SSU 33, NCCU 30 (Durham, N.C.)
Nov. 13, 2010 - SSU 28, NCCU 21 (Savannah, Ga.)
Nov. 21, 2009 - NCCU 35, SSU 14 (Durham, N.C.)
Nov. 22, 2008 - NCCU 10, SSU 7 (Durham, N.C.)
Oct. 20, 2007 - NCCU 30, SSU 14 (Savannah, Ga.)
Sept. 13, 1975 - NCCU 30, SSU 0 (Durham, N.C.)
Sept. 14, 1974 - NCCU 0, SSU 0 (Savannah, Ga.)
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THE LAST MEETINGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
(Oct. 25, 2014 in Durham, N.C. - NCCU 42, Savannah State 14) Quarterback
Malcolm Bell passed for 287 yards and was responsible for five of the six NCCU touchdowns as the Eagles exploded for a 42-14 victory over Savannah State in Durham, N.C.
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LAST WEEKÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
(NCCU 27, Florida A&M 24 - 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 at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.
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(Morgan State 42, Savannah State 3 - Baltimore, Md.) Savannah State had a season-high 313 yards of offense but could not overcome three turnovers that led to Morgan State scoring 21 points in a 42-3 setback to the Bears in a game played at Hughes Stadium. Morgan State scored 35 unanswered points in the second half.
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THE COACHESÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
NCCU:
Jerry Mack (Arkansas State, 2003) is in his second season as a college head coach. At age 34, he boasts 10 years of coaching experience, including stints with five NCAA Division I programs and two conference championship teams. A native of Memphis, Tenn., Mack has held positions as wide receivers coach at the University of South Alabama (2012-13) and the University of Memphis (2011), as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (2010), as passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at the University of Central Arkansas (2008-09), as wide receivers and tight ends coach at Jackson State University (2006-07), and as an offensive graduate assistant at Delta State University (2004-05). Mack began his collegiate playing career at Jackson State before transferring after one season (1999) to Arkansas State University. He lettered three years at Arkansas State (2001-03) before earning his bachelor's degree in management information systems in 2003. Mack completed his master's degree in physical education from Delta State in 2006.
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Savannah State: Earnest Wilson III was hired as Savannah State's 24th head football coach on June 7, 2013. In his 25th year of coaching, came to SSU from fellow Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) member Hampton University, where he has served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach since 2012. Wilson has also worked at Jackson State University (2010-12), New Mexico State (2005-09), Benedict College (2003-04), Oberlin College (1998-99), Elizabeth City State University, Alabama A&M (1994-96), Penn State (1993), the University of Maine, and Allegheny College (1990-92). Wilson's coaching background also includes a stint as the head coach and director of football operations for the Carolina Rhinos (2001-02) and Jacksonville Tomcats (1999-2001) of Arena League Football 2 (AFL2). Wilson also served as the head coach of the Dayton Skyhawks of the Indoor Football League (1999). Wilson played football while receiving both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Texas Tech University. He earned a bachelor of science in recreation in 1989 and a master of education in sports administration in 1990.
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EAGLES TIED AS NATIONAL LEADERS IN BLOCKED PUNTSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
After blocking two punts at Florida A&M on Oct. 10 to increase the season total to three, NCCU is now tied among the national FCS leaders in blocked punts. The Eagles join Harvard, Eastern Illinois and Texas Southern atop the national leaderboard.
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NCCU ROOKIE TOPS MEAC IN SCORINGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
NCCU freshman kicker
Nigel Macauley (Fayetteville, N.C.) is the top scorer in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with an average of 8.8 points per game. Macauley is also the MEAC leader in field goals (1.75 made per game/7 total) and field goal percentage (87.5 percent).
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BACK-TO-BACK 200-YARD GROUND ATTACKÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
After amassing 324 rushing yards versus Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 3, the most ground yards by NCCU since tallying 349 at Livingstone College on Oct. 23, 2004, NCCU ran for 214 yards at Florida A&M on Oct. 10. That marked the first time the Eagles have posted back-to-back games with more than 200 yards rushing since the 2005 season when they recorded 240 rushing yards against Shaw (Sept. 17, 2005) and 201 ground yards versus Bowie State (Sept. 24, 2005).
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TOUGH AGAINST THE RUNÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
The NCCU Eagles held Florida A&M to just 24 yards rushing on Oct. 10, which is the lowest rushing output by an opponent since Savannah State's 23 yards on the ground on Nov. 22, 2008. NCCU ranks third in the MEAC in rushing defense, holding opponents to an average of 147.6 ground yards per contest.
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BELL FIRST NCCU QUARTERBACK TO RUN FOR 100 YARDS SINCE 1999Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
NCCU redshirt junior
Malcolm Bell rushed for 101 yards at Florida A&M on Oct. 10 to become the first Eagles quarterback to amass 100 yards on the ground since 1999, when Darrell Nesbitt ran for 156 yards against Benedict College (Sept. 25, 1999).
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HAVE NO FEAR, EAGLES HAVE BEEN HERE BEFOREÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
NCCU football fans should have no fear about the Eagles' 1-3 start this season. The Eagles also started last season with a 1-3 record before winning six of their final eight games to earn a share of the MEAC Championship.
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EAGLES ACHIEVE BEST GROUND GAME IN 11 YEARSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Facing soaking wet weather conditions on Oct. 3 versus Bethune-Cookman, NCCU posted its best ground attack in 11 years. The Eagles amassed 324 rushing yards for the program's best running effort since accumulating 349 rushing yards against Livingstone on Oct. 23, 2004. Redshirt freshman
Dorrel McClain ran for 144 yards and a touchdown, while redshirt junior quarterback
Malcolm Bell added 93 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. As a team, NCCU posted 502 yards of total offense and 30 first downs against the Wildcats.
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EAGLES TURN DEFENSE, SPECIAL TEAMS INTO POINTSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Since the start of the 2012 season, the Eagles have demonstrated a knack for finding the end zone when the offense is off the field. In the past 39 games, NCCU has scored 27 touchdowns on defense and special teams, including three in 2015, five in 2014, nine in 2013 and 10 in 2012. In that time, the Eagles have made trips to the end zone on 10 punt returns, six kickoff returns, three blocked field goal returns, six interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
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THREE EAGLES EARN WEEKLY MEAC AWARDS ON OCT. 5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Three NCCU football student-athletes – redshirt senior safety
C.J. Moore, redshirt junior center
Carl Jones and redshirt freshman running back
Dorrel McClain – each earned weekly awards from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on Monday for their performances against Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 3. Moore (Raleigh, N.C.) was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week after recording a team-high 11 tackles (9 solo), including 2.0 hits for a loss, with two interceptions against the Wildcats. Jones (Nashville, Tenn.) was honored as the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week after grading out at 95 percent with eight pancake blocks and did not allow a sack or commit a penalty versus Bethune-Cookman. Jones helped pave the way for 502 yards of total offense, including 324 yards rushing, which is the Eagles' best rushing output in 11 years. McClain (Cary, N.C.) was selected as the MEAC Rookie of the Week after running for 144 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries, while also returning three kickoffs for 59 yards to finish the contest with 203 all-purpose yards.
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TWO STARTERS LOST FOR SEASON DUE TO INJURYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Two NCCU starters suffered season-ending injuries during a 39-14 loss at FIU on Sept. 19 in Miami. NCCU junior FCS All-American cornerback and return specialist
Mike Jones suffered a fractured ankle in the first quarter, while junior transfer receiver
Khalil Stinson fractured his hip on a second-quarter punt return.
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NCCU SCORES HISTORIC 72 POINTS IN WEEK ONE WINÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
The 72 points scored by NCCU in its season-opening shutout of Saint Augustine's University were the most tallied by any team in NCAA Division I-FCS in the first week of the season. The scoring output ranks second in school history, trailing an 85-point explosion by the 1946 Eagles against Fort Jackson (Sept. 21, 1946).
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JONES BREAKS SCHOOL PUNT RETURN RECORDÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
During a season-opening win over Saint Augustine's (Sept. 5), NCCU junior
Mike Jones (Baltimore, Md.) broke a 46-year-old single-game school record with 145 punt return yards on only five attempts. The previous record was held by Moses Bryant with 140 punt return yards against Livingstone on Sept. 27, 1969. Last season, Jones earned First Team All-MEAC and FCS All-America honors as a punt returner with a 19.1-yard average. He is currently average 20.5 yards per punt return during his NCCU career (21 punt returns, 431 yards).
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NCCU PICKED TO FINISH FORTH IN MEACÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Coming off a season with the most wins during the Division I-FCS era with a 7-5 record and a share of the MEAC Championship, NCCU was predicted to finish fourth and received four first-place votes from the league's football head coaches and sports information directors.
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EIGHT EAGLES EARN PRESEASON ALL-MEAC HONORSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Eight NCCU Eagles earned a place on the 2015 Preseason All-MEAC Football Teams. NCCU representatives on the Preseason All-MEAC First Team are junior quarterback
Malcolm Bell (Richmond, Va.), senior offensive lineman
Clevonne Davis (Miramar, Fla.) and junior
Mike Jones (Baltimore, Md.), who claimed two spots as a defensive back and a return specialist. Garnering second-team honors for the Eagles are senior wide receiver
Quentin Atkinson (Raleigh, N.C.), junior center
Carl Jones (Nashville, Tenn.) and senior defensive back
C.J. Moore (Raleigh, N.C.). On the third team are junior linebacker
Jeremy Thompson (Durham, N.C.) and sophomore tight end
Jvon Simmons (La Plata, Md.).
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ABOUT NCCU FOOTBALLÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
North Carolina Central University is in its fifth season of full NCAA Division I (FCS) athletic competition as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Eagles have won 11 conference championships as members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1953, 1954, 1956, 1961, 1963, 1980, 2005, 2006) and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (1972, 1973, 2014), and have made three appearances in the NCAA playoffs (1988, 2005, 2006).
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