DURHAM, N.C. - Quarterback
Walker Harris threw for three touchdowns on Saturday, as the North Carolina Central University football program celebrated its seniors with a 31-28 win over Norfolk State.
The Eagles improved to 7-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play.
Kaleb Robison scored on the Eagles' first drive of the game with a 32-yard field goal with 9:41 on the clock.
Norfolk State answered on the ensuing drive with a 7-yard run by running back X'Zavion Evans to give the Spartans a 7-3 lead at the 5:14 mark.
The Eagles then scored 14 unanswered points on touchdown passes from Harris to Mehki Wall in the first quarter for 33 yards, and then Chauncey Spikes for five yards in the second quarter, to take a 17-7 lead into the half.
Robison added three more points on a 26-yard field goal to start the second half to extend the Eagles' lead to 20-7.
Robison has made multiple field goals in a game four times this season.
On the Spartans' ensuing drive, Otto Kuhns would hit Kam'ryn Thomas for a 17-yard touchdown reception to cut into the Eagles' lead, 20-14.
Wall gave the Eagles excellent field position following a punt return, and four plays later, NCCU cashed it in after Spikes caught his second touchdown of the game from three yards out.
After a successful 2-point conversion from Harris to Nasim Cosby, NCCU took a 28-14 lead to start the fourth quarter.
Norfolk State took the next drive, 75 yards in just three plays to pull back within seven, cutting the lead to 28-21 following an 18-yard touchdown pass from Vinson Berry to Kam'Ryn Thomas.
The Eagles added three more points when Robison kicked a career-long 48-yard field goal to make it 31-21.
Robison kicked three field goals in a game for the first time in his career.
The Spartans continued to fight back, driving 75 yards in just 1:04, culminating in a 15-yard touchdown pass from Berry to DreSean Kendrick, which narrowed the score to its final margin.
Harris threw for 265 yards and three scores. He has 19 touchdown passes in his last seven games, and he now has 2,732 passing yards on the season.
Spikes caught eight passes for 71 yards and two scores. He has five receiving touchdowns in the last two games.
The Eagles will wrap up the home slate on Friday, Nov. 14, when they square off against perennial MEAC power South Carolina State. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m., and the game will air live on ESPN2.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
