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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
Delaware State University "Hornets" vs. North Carolina Central University "Eagles"
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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 7, 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
O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium (10,000 capacity/Mondoturf) - Durham, N.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
Delaware State (0-8 overall, 0-5 MEAC); N.C. Central (5-3 overall, 4-1 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. (
Jonathan Duren, play-by-play; Joe Simmons, color analyst).
Video: NCCU Sports Network "GameCentral" at NCCUEaglePride.com (video internet stream - $8.95).
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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
•  NCCU hosts Delaware State for Senior Day as NCCU honors 18 Eagles playing in their final home game at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
•  Saturday will be the 22nd meeting between the Eagles and the Hornets since the teams first met in 1945. NCCU leads the series 15-6 with two straight wins.
•  The last time NCCU and Delaware State met on the gridiron, the Eagles edged the Hornets 23-20 in double-overtime in Durham on Nov. 3, 2012.
•  NCCU is the only team in NCAA Division I-FCS to not allow an opponent to convert on fourth down (0-for-4).
•  With 26 takedowns behind the line of scrimmage in the last two weeks, including nine sacks, NCCU ranks fourth in the Division I-FCS with 77 total tackles for a loss.
•  The Eagles have the conference's top ground attack in games against MEAC opponents, averaging 235.6 rushing yards versus league foes. NCCU boasts the second-best rushing defense in MEAC games, holding conference opponents to just 93.6 ground yards per contest.
•  Delaware State has been out-scored 85-14 in the first quarter this season.
•  NCCU freshman kicker
Nigel Macauley ranks third in the NCAA-Division I-FCS in field goals made with an average of 1.86 per game. He is also the conference's second-leading scorer at 8.9 points per contest.
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C.J. Moore's 13 tackles versus Norfolk State moves the safety to within seven takedowns of the fifth spot on the Eagles' career tackles list with 273 stops. Moore ranks third in the MEAC with an average of 9.0 tackles per contest this season.
•  NCCU redshirt-freshman running back
Dorrel McClain rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns against Norfolk State to remain as the second-leading rusher in the MEAC with an average of 80.2 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 22nd meeting in the series between the Eagles and the Hornets since the teams first played in 1945. NCCU leads the series against Delaware State, 15-6. The Eagles have won six of the last seven contests with wins in 2012, 2011, 2004, 2003, 1996 and 1979, while DSU won the 2010 meeting 29-7.
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NCCU vs. Delaware State Series Results:
11/3/2012 - NCCU 23, DSU 20 - 2OT (Durham, N.C.)
11/5/2011 - NCCU 14, DSU 7 (Dover, Del.)
11/6/2010 - DSU 29, NCCU 7 (Dover, Del.)
9/11/2004 - NCCU 26, DSU 23 (Dover, Del.)
9/20/2003 - NCCU 21, DSU 14 (Durham, N.C.)
9/21/1996 - NCCU 21, DSU 16 (Atlantic City, N.J.)
10/13/1979 - NCCU 31, DSU 26 (Durham, N.C.)
10/14/1978 - DSU 16, NCCU 13 (Dover, Del.)
10/15/1977 - DSU 23, NCCU 0 (Durham, N.C.)
10/16/1976 - NCCU 27, DSU 6 (Dover, Del.)
10/18/1975 - NCCU 16, DSU 14 (Durham, N.C.)
10/19/1974 - NCCU 7, DSU 0 (Dover, Del.)
10/13/1973 - NCCU 32, DSU 7 (Durham, N.C.)
10/14/1972 - DSU 14, NCCU 10 (Dover, Del.)
10/16/1971 - NCCU 34, DSU 3 (Durham, N.C.)
10/7/1950 - NCC 13, DSU 0 (Dover, Del.)
10/22/1949 - NCC 27, DSU 0 (Durham, N.C.)
9/25/1948 - NCC 14, DSU 0 (Dover, Del.)
9/27/1947 - DSU 7, NCC 0 (Durham, N.C.)
9/28/1946 - NCC 32, DSU 6 (Durham, N.C.)
9/29/1945 - DSU 13, NCC 12 (Durham, N.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
(Nov. 3, 2012 in Durham, N.C. - NCCU 23, Delaware State 20 - 2OT) North Carolina Central University took advantage of clutch special teams plays to pull out a 23-20 double-overtime victory over Delaware State University, thrilling a sellout homecoming crowd of 12,742 fans inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, N.C. NCCU senior running back and return specialist Arthur Goforth started the special teams highlights with a dazzling 92-yard punt return for a touchdown, the longest in school history, to give the Eagles a 17-10 lead in the third quarter. Delaware State took advantage of an NCCU fumble by driving 42 yards on eight plays to tie the score at 17-17 with one tick on the clock in the third stanza. As the contest slipped into overtime, DSU kicker Mitchell Ward, who missed a 21-yard field goal with 3:11 left in regulation, converted a 25-yard field goal on the first possession of the first overtime to provide the Hornets with their first lead of the day. When NCCU got the ball, the Hornets' fifth sack of the contest pushed the Eagles back to the 29-yard line, forcing sophomore kicker Oleg Parent to try a 46-yard field goal to extend the game. With the homecoming crowd on its feet, Parent nailed the career-long three-pointer to force a second overtime. Parent came through again for NCCU when he connected on his third field goal of the afternoon from 26 yards out to put the Eagles ahead by three points after the opening possession of the second overtime. On DSU's possession, NCCU senior defensive end Xavier Proctor sacked Hornets' quarterback Nick Elko, moving the ball back to the 17-yard line. Needing a field goal to send the contest into a third overtime session, Ward's 34-yard kick was blocked by redshirt senior defensive back Malik Cromartie, the fifth blocked kick of his NCCU career, igniting a swarming celebration on the home field.
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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 24, Norfolk State 16 - Durham, N.C.) NCCU established a balanced offensive attack and exploded for 17 points in the fourth quarter to defeat Norfolk State 24-16 in front of a homecoming crowd of 11,965 in O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. The Eagles amassed 367 yards of total offense with 174 on the ground and 193 through the air. A resilient NCCU defense recorded 12 tackles for a loss, including five sacks.
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(Bethune-Cookman 49, Delaware State 21 - Dover, Del.) Bethune-Cookman rushed for 353 yards and five touchdowns in a 49-21 victory over Delaware State at Alumni Stadium. DSU freshman running back Brycen Alleyne scored his first two collegiate touchdowns, while leading the Hornets in rushing and receiving yards in the contest.
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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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Delaware State: Kenny Carter was introduced as the Hornets' 19th head coach on Jan. 21, 2015. Carter most recently served as passing game/co-special teams coordinator/wide receivers coach at Youngstown State University during the 2014 season. From 2010 to 2014, Carter played a key role in the success of the University of Louisville program under Charlie Strong, now the head coach at the University of Texas. During the 2008-09 seasons, Carter was running backs coach under Urban Meyer at the University of Florida. Carter also served as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Vanderbilt from 2004-07. He served under the late Joe Paterno from 2001-03 as assistant receivers coach at Penn State University. During the 2000 season, Carter was running backs coach at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1999, Carter was an assistant coach (strong safeties/linebackers/nickel backs) at Louisiana State University. He began his coaching career in 1993 as an assistant at Furman (tight ends). The following year, Carter was hired as assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator at his alma mater, The Citadel, where he served until 1998. Carter was a four-year letterman as an inside linebacker for The Citadel. He was the Bulldogs' 1989 Special Teams Player-of-the-Year.
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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 4,166 yards.
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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
NCCU is tied among the national FCS leaders in blocked punts with four. The Eagles join five other teams atop the national leaderboard.
C.J. Moore has two blocked punts, while
Reggie Hunter and
Alden McClellon have one each.
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NCCU ROOKIE AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS 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
NCCU freshman kicker
Nigel Macauley (Fayetteville, N.C.) ranks third in the NCAA Division I-FCS in field goals made with an average of 1.86 per game. Macauley is also the second-leading scorer in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with an average of 8.9 points per game, which ranks 19th in NCAA Division I-FCS.
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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 five weeks, NCCU has accumulated 1,190 rushing yards (238.0 yards per game).
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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 42 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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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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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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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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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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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). 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.
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