THE GAME
North Carolina Central University "Eagles" vs. Norfolk State University "Spartans" 

THE KICKOFF
Saturday, October 20, 2018 – Kickoff at 2:00 p.m.

THE SITE
William "Dick" Price Stadium (30,000 capacity / artificial turf) - Norfolk, Va.

THE RECORDS
N.C. Central (2-3 overall, 1-1 MEAC); Norfolk State (3-2 overall; 1-1 MEAC)

MEDIA COVERAGE
Audio: NCCU Sports Network "GameCentral" at NCCUEaglePride.com (internet stream). Broadcast starts at 1:40 p.m. (Jonathan Duren, play-by-play).
Video: ESPN3 (WatchESPN).

QUICK HITS
• Last season, Norfolk State ended NCCU's 18-game conference win streak, which was the second-longest active streak in NCAA Division I-FCS, and its 11-game home win streak, which was the longest in school history.
• Both teams enter the contest well-rested, coming off an open week, and have identical 1-1 MEAC records.
• Saturday will be the 16th meeting between the Eagles and the Spartans since the teams first met on Nov. 14, 1981. NCCU leads the series 9-6. Norfolk State's 28-21 victory in 2017 ended the Eagles' run of four straight wins over the Spartans.
• The Eagles rank No. 1 in the nation (Division I-FCS) in turnovers lost with just one, an interception in the first game of the season. NCCU and Norfolk State are tied for atop the MEAC in turnover margin (+0.80).
• NCCU leads the conference and ranks 21st in the NCAA Division I-FCS in tackles for loss with an average of 7.6 per game.
• Norfolk State has the No. 1 defense in the MEAC, allowing opponents only 270.0 yards per game. The Spartans rank second in the conference in scoring defense, surrendering only 16.4 points per contest.
• NCCU senior defensive lineman Darius Royster already has more tackles for loss than last season's team leaders (Roderick Harris and Antonio Brown with 8.5). Royster's 10.0 takedowns behind the line of scrimmage and three forced fumbles top the MEAC and are among the top-5 in the nation (Division I-FCS).
• NCCU senior safety Davanta Reynolds, the Preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the STATS FCS Preseason All-America Team (Second Team), ranks second in the MEAC with 45 tackles (9.0 per game).
• Since the start of the 2012 season, NCCU has scored 38 touchdowns on defense and special teams, including three defensive scores last year and two this season.
• NCCU is under the direction of first-year head coach Granville Eastman, who accepted the interim role after Jerry Mack left to be the offensive coordinator at Rice.
• NCCU received votes in the STATS FCS Top 25 preseason poll, after finishing last season with a 7-4 overall record.
• NCCU returns just nine starters (6 offense, 3 defense), but boasts nine members of the Preseason All-MEAC Team: First Team - DB Davanta Reynolds, RB Isaiah Totten, OL Nick Leverett, DL Kawuan Cox; Second Team - TE Josh McCoy, OL Andrew Dale, DL Randy Anyanwu; Third Team - WR Xavier McKoy, and DB De'Mario Evans.

ABOUT NCCU FOOTBALL
NCCU won three consecutive MEAC championships from 2014-16, and represented the MEAC in the 2016 Celebration Bowl versus Grambling in the Georgia Dome.
NCCU Recent Records:
2017: 7-4 overall, 5-3 MEAC
2016: 9-3 overall, 8-0 MEAC – MEAC champions
2015: 8-3 overall, 7-1 MEAC – MEAC co-champions
2014: 7-5 overall, 6-2 MEAC – MEAC co-champions

THE SERIES
This will be the 16th football meeting between NCCU and Norfolk State since the teams first met in 1981. NCCU leads the series 9-6. Norfolk State's 28-21 victory in 2017 ended the Eagles' run of four straight wins over the Spartans.
10/21/2017 - NSU 28, #25 NCCU 21 (Durham, N.C.)
9/24/2016 - NCCU 34, NSU 31 (Norfolk, Va.)
10/31/2015 - NCCU 24, NSU 16 (Durham, N.C.)
11/15/2014 - NCCU 19, NSU 14 (Norfolk, Va.)
11/16/2013 - NCCU 24, NSU 13 (Durham, N.C.)
11/4/1995 - NSU 27, NCCU 6 (Durham, N.C.)
9/10/1994 - NSU 26, NCCU 24 (Norfolk, Va.)
9/11/1993 - NCCU 30, NSU 20 (Durham, N.C.)
9/17/1988 - NCCU 10, NSU 7 (Norfolk, Va.)
9/19/1987 - NCCU 28, NSU 20 (Durham, N.C.)
10/12/1985 - NSU 32, NCCU 14 (Durham, N.C.)
10/6/1984 - NSU 29, NCCU 26 (Norfolk, Va.)
10/8/1983 - NCCU 47, NSU 6 (Durham, N.C.)
10/9/1982 - NSU 14, NCCU 9 (Norfolk, Va.)
11/14/1981 - NCCU 27, NSU 20 (Durham, N.C.)

THE LAST MEETING
(Norfolk State 28, NCCU 21 - Durham, N.C. - Oct. 21, 2017) NCCU amassed 501 yards of total offense, but the nationally-ranked Eagles committed 15 penalties for 146 lost yards and Norfolk State forced four turnovers as the Spartans snapped NCCU's 18-game conference win streak and school-record 11-game home win streak with a 28-21 victory at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. Norfolk State jumped out to a 21-0 cushion at halftime, holding the Eagles scoreless in the first half for the first time since NCCU's 2016 season-opener at Duke. No. 25 NCCU rallied in the second half to pull to within seven points, but the Eagles' fourth turnover of the game with eight seconds left sealed their fate.

THE LAST MEETING IN NORFOLK
(NCCU 34, Norfolk State 31 - Norfolk, Va. - Sept. 24, 2016) North Carolina Central University amassed 401 yards of total offense and forced the Spartans to settle for three red-zone field goals during a 34-31 victory over Norfolk State University in William "Dick" Price Stadium.

LAST CONTEST (OCT. 6)
NCCU 40, Howard 35 (Durham, N.C.) - NCCU sophomore quarterback Chauncey Caldwell amassed a career-high 464 yards of total offense, including a career-best 153 rushing yards and the game-winning touchdown run with 24 seconds left in the game, to lead the Eagles to a 40-35 conference victory over Howard University inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium on Oct. 6. Caldwell completed 24-of-38 passes for 311 yards and three touchdowns, while his counterpart, Howard quarterback Caylin Newton, threw for 381 yards and three touchdowns on 24-for-39 passing. The two MEAC squads exploded for 1,126 combined yards of total offense. The visiting Bison tallied 598 total yards, while NCCU registered 528 total yards.

Florida A&M 17, Norfolk State 0 (Tallahassee, Fla.) - In a battle of two teams which entered the game unbeaten in MEAC play, it was Florida A&M that came up with several key stops and a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull away for a 17-0 win over Norfolk State on Oct. 6 at Bragg Memorial Stadium. The Spartans outgained FAMU 291-240, but committed season highs of 15 penalties and three turnovers. Juwan Carter completed 17-of-33 passes for 212 yards for NSU, with six completions for 78 yards going to Marcus Taylor.

THE COACHES
NCCU: Granville Eastman (Saint Mary's, 1992) is in his first season as a college head coach. With 20 years of collegiate coaching experience to his credit, Eastman joined the NCCU staff in January 2014, serving as assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and safeties coach until his promotion to interim head coach on Dec. 8, 2017. Prior to joining NCCU, Eastman spent nine seasons (2005-13) as the defensive coordinator at Austin Peay State University in Clarkesville, Tennessee. During his 11 total seasons at APSU, he coached defensive backs and linebackers, and also served as special teams coordinator (2003-04) and interim head coach (winter 2013). Eastman coached four seasons (1999-2002) at Tiffin University in Ohio, including the last three seasons as defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator, while working with defensive backs and defensive line during his tenure. A native of Toronto, Canada, Eastman secured his first coaching position at York University in his hometown, where he spent two seasons (1994-95) working with defensive backs. He then served as a defensive graduate assistant for three seasons (1996-98) at Arkansas State University, earning a master's degree in sociology in 1999. Eastman was a two-time all-city defensive back at Stephen Leacock High School in Toronto before attending Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he was a three-year letterman as a defensive back. Twice Saint Mary's played in national title games while he was there. Eastman earned his bachelor's degree from Saint Mary's University in 1992.

Norfolk State: Latrell Scott was named the 17th head football coach in Norfolk State history on Dec. 16, 2014. Scott joined NSU following a two-year run as head coach at Virginia State University. Scott directed the Trojans to a 19-4 record and two Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Northern Division regular-season titles in his two seasons in Petersburg. The Trojans never lost to a CIAA team under Scott's direction, going a combined 15-0. Scott was named the 2014 CIAA Coach of the Year. NSU is the third head coaching position in Scott's career. In addition to leading VSU the last two years, Scott was head coach at the University of Richmond in 2010. He led the Spiders to a 6-5 mark that season. In addition to his previous stints as a head coach, Scott has also served as an assistant coach at James Madison University (2012), the University of Virginia (2009), the University of Tennessee (2008), Richmond (2005-07), VMI (2002-04), Western Carolina (2001) and Fork Union Military Academy (1999-2000).

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 74 games, NCCU has scored 38 touchdowns on defense and special teams, including two this season, three in 2017, three in 2016, six 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 14 punt returns, six kickoff returns, three blocked field goal returns, 11 interceptions and four fumble recoveries. 

THREE NCCU EAGLES EARN WEEKLY MEAC AWARDS
Three NCCU Eagles earned weekly awards from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for their performances during a 40-35 come-from-behind victory over Howard on Oct. 6. NCCU sophomore quarterback Chauncey Caldwell (Durham, N.C.) has been named the MEAC Offensive Player of the Week, redshirt freshman kicker Adam Lippy (Tucker, Ga.) has been announced as the MEAC Specialist of the Week, and redshirt junior Nick Leverett (Concord, N.C.) has been selected as the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week. Caldwell amassed a career-high 464 yards of total offense, including a career-best 153 rushing yards and the game-winning touchdown run with 24 seconds left in the game. He also completed 24-of-38 passes for 311 yards and three touchdowns. On NCCU's final drive, Caldwell engineered a nine-play drive, passing for 34 yards and rushing for 42 yards, including the go-ahead score from three yards out. Lippy accounted for 10 points in NCCU's five-point win over Howard. He made two clutch 42-yard field goals, one at the end of the first half and the other to increase the Eagle's lead to five points midway through the fourth quarter, and converted all four extra-point kicks. Leverett helped pave the way for 528 yards of total offense and 40 points in handing Howard its first conference loss. The three-year graduate graded out at 92 percent with five pancake blocks and no sacks allowed.

NINE NCCU EAGLES VOTED TO PRESEASON ALL-MEAC TEAMS
Nine NCCU Eagles were voted to the Preseason All-MEAC Football Teams. Earning All-MEAC First Team honors for NCCU are Preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year senior defensive back Davanta Reynolds, sophomore running back Isaiah Totten, junior offensive lineman Nick Leverett, and junior defensive lineman Kawuan Cox. Three NCCU Eagles on the Preseason All-MEAC Second Team are senior tight end Josh McCoy, sophomore offensive lineman Andrew Dale, and senior defensive lineman Randy Anyanwu. Receiving Preseason All-MEAC Third Team honors are junior wide receiver Xavier McKoy and senior defensive back De'Mario Evans.

THREE NCCU EAGLES ON HBCU PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST
Three NCCU Eagles – senior safety Davanta Reynolds, sophomore running back Isaiah Totten and freshman running back Jamal Currie-Elliott - are among the 52 student-athletes from 25 different HBCUs to be named to the 2018 Watch List for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced Wednesday. The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University. The winner of the 2018 Black College Football Player of the Year Award will be honored with the Deacon Jones Trophy during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which takes place on Feb. 16, 2019 in Atlanta. Four finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 29.

FOUR EAGLES ALREADY EARNED UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES
Four NCCU student-athletes on this season's football team have already earned their undergraduate degrees: OL Nick Leverett, LB King Kiaku, DB Jamarcus Johnson, and WR Marvin Zanders (graduate transfer from Missouri).

LEVERETT RECOGNIZED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
NCCU offensive lineman Nick Leverett is one of only 22 college football players selected for distinguished recognition on the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, as announced by Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association. The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® has been one of the most esteemed honors in college football for more than 25 years, celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of college football student-athletes on the field, in the classroom and in the community. A native of Concord, North Carolina, Leverett is a two-time All-MEAC offensive lineman and team captain, a three-year graduate with a degree in criminal justice and a 3.37 overall grade point average, a campus leader, and an active participant in community service. Two other NCCU football student-athletes have earned distinction on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® in recent years, Jordan Reid (current NCCU running backs coach) in 2013 and Carl Jones in 2016.

LONG SNAPPER SCHLECKER EARNS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA HONOR
NCCU senior long snapper Erik Schlecker was named to the HERO Sports 2018 FCS Preseason All-American Team. A native of Sunrise, Florida, Schlecker earned a spot on the FCS Preseason All-American Third Team for achieving a 99 percent success rate on his snaps with only one errant snap in the past two seasons at NCCU. The transfer from ASA College also boasts a snap time average of 0.75 seconds. To his credit, each NCCU teammate Schlecker has snapped for during the 2016 and 2017 seasons – two placekickers and a punter – has garnered all-conference recognition.

ABOUT NCCU FOOTBALL
North Carolina Central University is in its eighth season of full NCAA Division I (FCS) athletics competition as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Eagles have won 13 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, 2015, 2016), 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 140 all-conference selections (first team), 67 all-Americans, 41 NFL draft picks, 13 conference championships and two Black College National Championships (1954, 2006). 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. 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 Ryan Smith, who was chosen by the Buccaneers in the fourth round in 2016. 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.