Dorrel McClain at FAMU 2015
Vaughn Wilson, FAMU
Dorrel McClain ran for 135 yards at Savannah State. (File photo by Vaughn Wilson)
39
Winner N.C. Central NCCU 3-3 , 2-1
22
Savannah State SSU 1-5 , 1-3
Winner
N.C. Central NCCU
3-3 , 2-1
39
Final
22
Savannah State SSU
1-5 , 1-3
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
NCCU N.C. Central 0 15 17 7 39
SSU Savannah State 22 0 0 0 22

Game Recap: Football |

NCCU Overcomes 22-Point Deficit to Beat Savannah State

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah State University scored the first 22 points, but North Carolina Central University responded with 39 unanswered points to rally for a 39-22 road victory to spoil the Savannah State homecoming celebration on Saturday inside Ted Wright Stadium.
 
NCCU (3-3, 2-1 MEAC) had a safety, a punt and two interceptions in its first four possessions as the Tigers got two touchdown runs by running back Joshua Berry and another by quarterback Arshon Spaulding for a 22-0 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
 
The Eagles then scored on six of their next seven possessions, while also adding a safety to take a 32-22 lead through three quarters. Junior quarterback Malcolm Bell had a hand in NCCU's first three touchdowns, running into the end zone from three yards out, then throwing touchdown passes to David Miller for 35 yards and Armani Lanier for eight yards. Ramone Simpson capped the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter.
 
NCCU freshman kicker Nigel Macauley, the leading scorer in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, tallied 13 points with four extra-point kicks and field goals of 30, 35 and 30 yards.
 
NCCU amassed 433 yards of total offense, including 291 yards on the ground, marking the third straight contest the Eagles have collected more than 200 rushing yards. The Eagles' ground attack was topped by rookie running back Dorrel McClain with 135 rushing yards, his second 100-yard performance in the last three weeks. Bell finished with 92 yards and a touchdown rushing and 116 yards and two scores passing, while throwing two picks. Lanier grabbed seven receptions for 59 yards and a visit to the end zone.
 
The NCCU defense, which totaled nine tackles for a loss with a pair of sacks, was topped by linebacker Jordan Miles and safety C.J. Moore with seven tackles each. Cornerback Ryan Smith added six takedowns, while Jeremy Thompson and Tre Smith had four stops with a sack apiece.
 
NCCU returns home for three straight weeks, starting with Morgan State on Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.


 
 
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