DOVER, Del. – A career night from freshman running back
Gino Addison helped the North Carolina Central University football program pick up the win in its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opener Friday evening, 31-12 over Delaware State at Alumni Stadium.
The Eagles snapped a four-game skid and improved to 3-5 (1-0 MEAC) on the season.
Addison rushed 31 times for 214 yards and two touchdowns. As a team, the Eagles ran for 272 yards – their third 200-yard rushing effort of the season.
The Hornets (4-4, 0-1 MEAC) scored first despite throwing a pick on the game's opening drive. Delaware State forced a fumble on the return before taking a 6-0 lead on a 26-yard run from Kyree Benton.
Later in the quarter, the Eagles got on the board on a 5-yard touchdown run from Zion Dobson. A Riley Daniels extra point gave NCCU a 7-6 lead with 4:36 left in the opening frame.
Riley opened the lead to 10-6 with 3:05 left in the half, connecting on a 25-yard field goal.
The Eagles received the opening kickoff of the second half, milking more than eight minutes off the clock as they marched down the field 75 yards in 16 plays before Addison found pay dirt up the middle from six yards out. With 6:26 left in the quarter, the Eagles led 17-6.
Addison added a 16-yard score with 13:35 remaining in the game, growing the lead to 24-6.
After the Eagles got prime field position following a punt and an unsportsmanlike penalty, the passing game got in on the action late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Cobey Thompkins found tight end Luke Bracey for a 21-yard strike. That put the Eagles up 31-6 with 2:06 remaining.
The Eagles defense picked off Delaware State twice, both courtesy of freshman defensive back Amari Sifford.
NCCU held the Hornets to 257 total yards and forced two turnovers.
NCCU will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 31, when the Eagles play host to Howard at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m., and the game will air live on ESPN+.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
Game Notes
- With 272 rushing yards on Friday, the Eagles have three 200-yard rushing games as a team this season, and back-to-back such games.
- Freshman running back Gino Addison had a career night, rushing 31 times for 214 yards and two scores. He has recorded back-to-back 100-yard rushing games.
- Quarterback Cobey Thompkins threw for 155 yards and a touchdown.
- The Eagles offense recorded its second straight 400-yard game, going for 427 yards and averaging just over six yards per play.
- Freshman defensive back Amari Sifford recorded two interceptions, giving him three for the season.
- The Eagles have 10 interceptions and 18 overall takeaways on defense this season.
With the Win…
- The Eagles snapped a four-game losing streak.
- Eagles head coach Trei Oliver is now two wins shy of 50 for his career.
- NCCU has won 11 of the last 13 meetings between the two teams.
- Oliver is now 6-1 against Delaware State.
