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THE GAME    
North Carolina Central University "Eagles" vs. Florida A&M University "Rattlers"

THE KICKOFF    
Saturday, October 10, 2015 – Kickoff at 5:00 p.m. 

THE SITE    
Bragg Memorial Stadium (25,500 capacity/natural grass) - Tallahassee, Fla.

THE RECORDS    
N.C. Central (1-3 overall, 0-1 MEAC); Florida A&M (0-5, 0-2 MEAC)

MEDIA COVERAGE    
Audio: NCCU Sports Network "GameCentral" at NCCUEaglePride.com (audio internet stream). Broadcast starts at 4:30 p.m. (Jonathan Duren, play-by-play).
Video: FAMU Rattler Vision (video internet stream - $7.95).

QUICK HITS    
•    Florida A&M leads the series with NCCU 6-1-1.
•    Saturday will be just the third gridiron meeting between the NCCU Eagles and the FAMU Rattlers in the past 40 years.
•    NCCU ranks third in the MEAC in scoring offense with 28.0 points per game, while FAMU sits 10th at 13.0 points per contest.
•    NCCU's red-zone offense tops the MEAC and ranks 12th in the NCAA Division I-FCS at 93.3 percent (14-of-15). The Eagles were a perfect 14-of-14 at scoring when inside the opponent's 20-yard line until a blocked field goal in the final seconds of a two-point loss to Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 3. 
•    Thanks to a 144-yard rushing performance against Bethune-Cookman, NCCU redshirt freshman Dorrel McClain is the third-leading rusher in the MEAC at 60.2 ground yards per game. He is the only rookie listed among the league's top-10 rushers.
•    NCCU freshman kicker Nigel Macauley leads the MEAC and ranks fifth in the FCS in field goals made (1.67 per game). He is also the conference's second-leading scorer at 8.7 points per contest.
•    C.J. Moore's two interceptions versus Bethune-Cookman puts the senior safety atop MEAC leaders with an average of 0.50 picks per game. Moore, who moved into the Eagles top-10 career tackles list at No. 10 with 236 stops, also ranks fourth in the conference in tackles (8.8 per game).
•    In the past 38 games (start of 2012 season), NCCU has scored 27 touchdowns on defense and special teams, including three in 2015.

FLASHBACK TO 2014    
•    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. 

THE SERIES    
This will be the ninth meeting in the series between the NCCU Eagles and the FAMU Rattlers since the teams first played in 1939. FAMU leads the series against NCCU, 6-1-1. The Eagles lone win in the series was a 9-3 victory on Sept. 15, 1973 in Atlanta.
11/10/2012 - FAMU 22, NCCU 21 (Tallahassee, Fla.)
11/12/2011 - FAMU 31, NCCU 10 (Durham, N.C.)
9/15/1973 - NCCU 9, FAMU 3 (Atlanta, Ga.)
12/7/1957 - FAMU 14, NCCU 0 (Miami, Fla. / Orange Blossom Classic)
9/22/1956 - FAMU 25, NCCU 0 (Durham, N.C.)
12/1/1951 - FAMU 67, NCCU 6 (Miami, Fla. / Orange Blossom Classic)
11/9/1940 - NCCU 7, FAMU 7 (Durham, N.C.)
11/11/1939 - FAMU 20, NCCU 7 (Tallahassee, Fla.)

THE LAST MEETING    
(Nov. 10, 2012 in Tallahassee, Fla. - Florida A&M 22, NCCU 21) In spite of a resilient effort by NCCU's defense, Florida A&M scored 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to rally for a 22-21 homecoming victory in front of 14,768 fans inside Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. FAMU sophomore kicker Chase Varnadore made a 36-yard field goal, his fifth of the game, with two minutes remaining for the game-winner. NCCU committed four turnovers, three fumbles and an interception, all resulting in field goals for 12 FAMU points. The Rattlers visited the red zone seven times on the day, but the Eagles' defense allowed only one touchdown. Even on that score on fourth-and-goal from inside the 1-yard line, FAMU running back Jordan Stanley appeared to fall short of the goal line, but the officials huddled and signaled a touchdown. NCCU defenders were on the field for more than 41 minutes (41:23) as FAMU amassed 387 yards of total offense, including 270 yards through the air on 29-of-41 passing by sophomore quarterback Damien Fleming. The Eagles managed just 129 total yards with 41 yards rushing and 88 yards passing. NCCU held a 21-9 advantage late in the third quarter before the Rattlers posted 13 unanswered points for the win.

LAST WEEK    
(Bethune-Cookman 28, NCCU 26 - Durham, N.C.) Trailing 26-7 late in the third quarter, Bethune-Cookman scored 21 unanswered points and blocked a potential game-winning 18-yard field goal try with just 32 seconds left to edge North Carolina Central University 28-26 on a wet Saturday inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. Redshirt freshman Dorrel McClain collected 144 rushing yards to top a lethal NCCU ground attack that amassed 324 yards for the program's best running effort since accumulating 349 rushing yards against Livingstone on Oct. 23, 2004. NCCU quarterback Malcolm Bell recorded 271 yards of total offense with 178 yards through the air and 93 yards and two scores on the ground. As a team, NCCU posted 502 yards of total offense and 30 first downs compared to 395 total yards and 16 first downs by the Wildcats. Defensively, NCCU was charged by senior safety C.J. Moore with a team-high nine tackles, 2.0 hits for a loss and a pair of interceptions.

(Savannah State 37, Florida A&M 27 - Savannah, Ga.) Savannah State jumped out to a 30-7 halftime advantage, then held off Florida A&M in the second half for a 37-27 victory, the Tigers' first win in the series with FAMU. Savannah State ran for 217 yards and four touchdowns in the historic triumph.

THE COACHES    
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.

FAMU: Alex Wood is in his first season as head coach at Florida A&M. Prior to accepting the top job at FAMU, Wood served as offensive coordinator at the University of Buffalo from 2011-14. In October 2014, he was tapped to serve as interim head coach replacing head Jeff Quinn, who was relieved of his duties, for the final four games of the season. He served as running back coach at University of Miami from 1989-93, helping the team to a pair of national championships, including a perfect 12-0 in 1991. Wood served as head coach at James Madison University from 1995-1998 and led them to an 8-4 record and the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs in 1995. He has served as an assistant coach in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Minnesota Vikings.

THREE EAGLES EARN WEEKLY MEAC AWARDS    
Three North Carolina Central University 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. 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.  Moore is now ranked 10th on the NCCU career tackles list with 236 stops. 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.

EAGLES ACHIEVE BEST GROUND ATTACK IN 11 YEARS    
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. 

HAVE NO FEAR, EAGLES HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE    
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.

EAGLES TURN DEFENSE, SPECIAL TEAMS INTO POINTS    
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 38 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. 

TWO STARTERS LOST FOR SEASON DUE TO INJURY    
Two North Carolina Central University starters suffered season-ending injuries during a 39-14 loss at Florida International University 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. NCCU head coach Jerry Mack says the loss of Jones and Stinson has a "huge impact" on the team. "This is very unfortunate for these two young men and their families," said Mack. "Mike is obviously a key player for us and I was looking forward to watching Khalil continue to grow as we enter conference play. We're sure they will be back in 2016 ready to go."

NCCU SCORES HISTORIC 72 POINTS IN WEEK ONE WIN    
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).

JONES BREAKS SCHOOL PUNT RETURN RECORD    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).

NCCU PICKED TO FINISH FORTH IN MEAC    
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.

EIGHT EAGLES EARN PRESEASON ALL-MEAC HONORS    
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.).

ABOUT NCCU FOOTBALL    
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). The Eagles won back-to-back football conference championships and a Black College National Championship in their final two years in the Division II ranks (2005 and 2006) before starting the transition to Division I in 2007. During its storied gridiron tradition, NCCU has produced 132 all-conference selections, 65 all-Americans, 40 NFL draft picks, 11 conference championships and two Black College National Championships. Two Eagles have represented NCCU on the National Football League's grandest stage - the Super Bowl. The first NCCU Eagle to make a Super Bowl appearance was Richard Sligh, who was a reserve tackle with the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II against the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 14, 1968. Sligh, who holds the distinction as the tallest player in NFL history (7'0"), played at NCCU from 1962-64 and was later drafted by the Raiders in the 10th round of the 1967 NFL draft. On Jan. 24, 1982, former NCCU Eagle Louis Breeden was a starting cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI against the San Francisco 49ers. Earlier in the season (Nov. 8, 1981), Breeden intercepted a pass thrown by San Diego Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts and returned it a team-record 102 yards for a touchdown. The following year, he was selected as a First-Team All-Pro. A two-time all-conference pick during his NCCU career from 1973-76, Breeden was chosen by the Bengals in the seventh round of the 1977 NFL draft. He completed his 10-year NFL career with 33 interceptions for 558 return yards and two touchdowns. The first Eagle selected in the NFL Draft was Matt Boone, who was taken by the Giants with the eighth pick in the 18th round in 1956. The latest Eagle announced during the NFL Draft was Greg Peterson, who was chosen by the Buccaneers in the fifth round in 2007. NCCU's highest draft pick was Doug Wilkerson, who was selected in the first round with the 14th overall pick of the 1970 NFL Draft by the Oilers. The Eagles have also had three second-round NFL draft picks, including Robert Massey in 1989 by the Saints, Charles Smith in 1975 by the Broncos and Chuck Hinton in 1962 by the Browns. HBCU football pioneer John Brown, who represented NCCU (then North Carolina College) on the gridiron in the 1940s, was one of the first to play professional football out of a historically black college or university. Brown shares the honor with Ezzret Anderson of Kentucky State and Elmore Harris of Morgan State, who all began their professional football careers in 1947. Brown and Anderson were teammates on the Los Angeles Dons, while Harris was a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers. According to NCCU records, Brown was the first of the three to sign a professional football contract. He played center and linebacker with the Dons from 1947-49, before moving to the Canadian Football League.