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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. Howard University "Bison"
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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, November 14, 2015 – Kickoff at 1:00 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
Greene Stadium (7,086 capacity/Artificial Grass) - Washington, D.C.
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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 (6-3 overall, 5-1 MEAC); Howard (1-8 overall, 1-5 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 12:30 p.m. (
Kyle Serba, play-by-play).
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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
•  NCCU hits the road for the first time since Oct. 17 when the Eagles defeated Savannah State, 39-22.
•  Saturday will be the 20th meeting between the Eagles and the Bison since the teams first met in 1925. The series is all even at 9-9-1 after NCCU captured victories in the last three match-ups.
•  NCCU's five-game win streak is the longest by the Eagles in the program's Division I-FCS era. The last such streak took place in 2006, NCCU's final season in Division II, when the Eagles posted an undefeated regular-season to repeat as CIAA champions.
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Jerry Mack is the first NCCU coach to win 13 games in his first two seasons since Willie Smith in 1973-74.
•  Among 665 NCAA football teams (all divisions), NCCU is the only team not to allow an opponent to convert on fourth down (0-for-6).
•  With 34 takedowns behind the line of scrimmage in the last three weeks, including 13 sacks, NCCU ranks fourth in the Division I-FCS with 85 total tackles for a loss.
•  NCCU freshman kicker
Nigel Macauley is the NCAA-Division I-FCS leader in field goals made with an average of 2.00 per game. He is also the conference's No. 1 scorer at 9.4 points per contest.
•  With three field goals against Delaware State, NCCU freshman kicker
Nigel Macauley tied the school's single-season record with 16 field goals made, equalling the standard set by NCCU hall of famer Brandon Gilbert in 2005.
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C.J. Moore's 10 tackles versus Delaware State moves the safety to within two takedowns of the fourth spot on the Eagles' career tackles list with 283 stops. Moore ranks third in the MEAC with an average of 9.1 tackles per contest this season.
•  NCCU redshirt-freshman running back
Dorrel McClain rushed for 120 yards against Delaware State to remain as the second-leading rusher in the MEAC with an average of 84.7 yards per game.
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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 20th meeting between the Eagles and the Bison. The series is tied with a record of 9-9-1. NCCU beat Howard 27-22 in Durham last season for the Eagles' third consecutive victory over the Bison. The last meeting in the nation's capital was on Oct. 5, 2013, with NCCU defeating the Bison 37-28. Howard won six in-a-row versus the Eagles from 1975-94 until NCCU dropped the Bison 37-32 on Sept. 16, 1995 in Washington, D.C.
Series Between NCCU Eagles and Howard Bison:
10/04/2014 - NCCU 27, Howard 22 (Durham, N.C.)
10/05/2013 - NCCU 37, Howard 28 (Washington, D.C.)
9/16/1995 - NCCU 37, Howard 32 (Washington, D.C.)
10/15/1994 - Howard 35, NCCU 19 (Durham, N.C.)
11/10/1979 - Howard 31, NCCU 20 (Durham, N.C.)
11/11/1978 - Howard 24, NCCU 17 (Washington, D.C.)
11/12/1977 - Howard 33, NCCU 0 (Durham, N.C.)
11/13/1976 - Howard 22, NCCU 21 (Washington, D.C.)
11/15/1975 - Howard 41, NCCU 10 (Durham, N.C.)
11/16/1974 - (tie) Howard 17, NCCU 17 (Durham, N.C.)
11/10/1973 - NCCU 10, Howard 7 (Durham, N.C.)
11/11/1972 - NCCU 14, Howard 13 (Washington, D.C.)
11/13/1971 - NCCU 42, Howard 18 (Durham, N.C.)
10/26/1940 - NCCU 14, Howard 0 (Washington, D.C.)
10/28/1939 - NCCU 19, Howard 0 (Durham, N.C.)
11/17/1934 - NCCU 7, Howard 6 (Washington, D.C.)
11/18/1933 - Howard 7, NCCU 0 (Durham, N.C.)
11/08/1930 - Howard 6, NCCU 2 (Washington, D.C.)
10/31/1925 - Howard 70, NCCU 0 (Washington, D.C.)
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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. 4, 2014 in Durham, N.C. - NCCU 27, Howard 22) Howard amassed 485 yards of total offense, but NCCU had two interceptions and quarterback
Malcolm Bell accounted for 311 yards of total offense with three passing touchdowns as the Eagles edged the Bison 27-22.
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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 43, Delaware State 10 - Durham, N.C.) The North Carolina Central University football team celebrated senior day in victory, taking down the Hornets of Delaware State University, 43-10, on Saturday, Nov. 7 in O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. NCCU quarterback
Malcolm Bell threw for 121 yards and one touchdown, while
David Miller had six receptions for 77 yards, and a touchdown of his own from senior quarterback
Quinn Billerman. Redshirt junior
Darius Spruill had a season-high three sacks on Saturday, two of which were on the opening drive against the Hornets. NCCU running back
Dorrel McClain gave the Eagles an early 7-0 lead with his first touchdown reception of the season. McClain also accounted for 120 rushing yards. The second quarter presented a light for the Hornets with Bryce Alleyne running the ball in the end zone from three yards out, evening the battle with NCCU at seven. Bell completed a 32-yard pass to
Armani Lanier, setting the Eagles up for one of two touchdowns by senior
Kevin Thompson. Thompson's touchdown and Macauley's extra point returned the lead to the Eagles at 14-7 with 8:07 remaining in the first half. Delaware State managed to block
Nathaniel Tilque's punt and recovered the ball at the NCCU 1-yard line. The blocked punt made for the first in Tilque's career, and led the Hornets to a field goal from Wisdom Nzidee, cutting the Eagle lead to 14-10. The Hornets seemed challenged in holding on to the football, as they fumbled on a punt return and NCCU senior
Theo Livingston recovered the ball at the Delaware State 15-yard line. The recovery made way for another Eagles' score, thanks to a 25-yard field goal from Macauley. The Eagles were on top of the Hornets at halftime, 17-10. Jonathan Williams got the Eagles going in the third quarter, returning the opening kickoff for 54 yards. As a result, Macauley was set up for consecutive field-goal attempts; both were good and the Eagles went ahead 23-10 against the Hornets. NCCU held Delaware State scoreless in the second half, but continued their domination with a 61-yard punt return touchdown from
LaVontis Smith, upping the Eagles' edge to 29-10. The Eagles put a finish on the Hornets with Thompson's second touchdown of the day and Miller's 17-yard touchdown reception from Billerman. The clock headed toward zero and the final score read 43-10 in O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
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(Stony Brook 14, Howard 9 - Stony Brook, N.Y.) Howard held a 3-0 lead after a quarter of play, but Stony Brook recorded 12 sacks and held the Bison to minus-42 yards rushing to edge its MEAC opponent 14-9. Stony Brook running back Donald Liotine tallied 204 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Howard quarterback Kalen Johnson completed 15-of-24 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown, but was tackled behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of 70 yards.
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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 35, 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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Howard: Gary "Flea" Harrell (Howard, 1994), became the head football coach at his alma mater in 2011. In his first season, he guided the Bison to a 5-6 record, exceeding the win total from the three previous seasons combined. In 2012, Harrell guided Howard to a 7-4 record, the first winning season for the Bison in a decade. A native of Miami, Fla., Harrell made his coaching debut as wide receivers coach at Howard in 2002. After two seasons with Howard, he had coaching stints at Texas Southern, Florida A&M, Morgan State and Bowie State. Harrell is the all-time leading receiver in Howard history and ranks among the tops in MEAC history. He played professionally with New York Giants, Frankfurt Galaxy and Montreal Alouettes.
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MACK OFF TO FAST START AS NCCU HEAD COACHÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Jerry Mack is the first NCCU football head coach to win 13 games in his first two seasons since Willie Smith won 14 in 1973 (7-4) and 1974 (7-2-2). After the Eagles went 7-5 in his first season for a share of the MEAC title, his squad is now 6-3 with two games remaining in the regular season. No NCCU football coach has ever won 15 games in his first two seasons.
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NCCU ROOKIE NATIONAL LEADER IN FIELD GOALSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 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.) ranks No. 1 in the NCAA Division I-FCS in field goals made with an average of 2.00 per game. Macauley is also the leading scorer in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with an average of 9.4 points per game, which ranks fourth in NCAA Division I-FCS.
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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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BELL BECOMES EIGHTH EAGLE WITH 4,000 YARDS OF TOTAL OFFENSEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
NCCU redshirt-junior quarterback
Malcolm Bell accounted for 281 yards of total offense against Norfolk State to become only the eighth Eagle in school history to amass 4,000 yards of total offense. The Richmond, Virginia native ranks seventh on NCCU's career total offense list with 4,310 yards.
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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 44 games, NCCU has scored 28 touchdowns on defense and special teams, including four 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 11 punt returns, six kickoff returns, three blocked field goal returns, six interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
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THREE EAGLES GARNER MEAC WEEKLY AWARDS ON NOV. 9Â Â Â Â Â 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 Eagles - redshirt junior defensive tackle
Darius Spruill, redshirt junior center
Carl Jones and redshirt freshman
Dorrel McClain – earned weekly football awards from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for their performances during a 43-10 victory over Delaware State on Saturday, Nov. 7. Spruill (Chester, Va.) was selected as the co-MEAC Defensive Player of the Week after recording five tackles, including three solo sacks for a loss of 25 yards with a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries against the Hornets. In the last three games, Spruill has tallied 6.0 takedowns behind the line of scrimmage with 5.0 sacks. Jones (Nashville, Tenn.) was tagged as the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week for grading out at 97 percent on blocking assignments with 11 pancakes blocks to help lead the Eagles to 331 yards of total offense versus Delaware State. This is Jones's second weekly honor after also claiming the title on Oct. 5. McClain (Cary, N.C.) garnered his third MEAC Rookie of the Week award after accounting for a team-high 137 all-purpose yards and a touchdown, with 120 yards rushing and a 17-yard touchdown reception on Saturday. McClain was also named MEAC Rookie of the Week on Oct. 26 and Oct. 5.
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THREE STRAIGHT 200-YARD GROUND GAMESÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 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 and 291 yards at Savannah State on Oct. 17, marking the first time since 1999 that the Eagles have rushed for more than 200 yards in three straight games. In the last six weeks, NCCU has accumulated 1,331 rushing yards (221.8 yards per game).
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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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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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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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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.
 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).Â
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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