DURHAM, N.C. — Two touchdown passes from quarterback
Joshua Jones, and a shutdown defense, helped North Carolina Central University's football program take down Howard University 34-0 Saturday afternoon at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
The Eagles have won two straight and improved to 4-5 (2-0 MEAC) on the season.
The Eagles scored first on a 21-yard field goal from freshman kicker Riley Daniels, giving NCCU a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter following a 13-play, 63-yard drive.
Daniels extended that lead to 6-0 with a 29-yard field goal, his second of the game, with 2:53 remaining in the first half. It marked the fourth game of the season in which Daniels connected on multiple field goals.
One minute later, following an interception from Camereon Cartlidge, freshman quarterback Nelson Layne then connected with Tyree Saunders from 20 yards out for the Eagles' first touchdown of the game, growing the lead to 13-0.
Quarterback Joshua Jones came into the game in the second half and threw a short pass to Mehiki Wall, who took it 88 yards for the score with 9:27 left in the third quarter to give the Eagles a 20-0 lead.
That marked the longest play of scrimmage for NCCU this season.
Jones later found RJ Landcaster in the back of the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter to take a 27-0 lead over Howard.
Jones added a 22-yard touchdown run in the fourth to push the game to its final margin.
Jones had three touchdowns on the day, throwing for 189 yards and running for 32.
The Eagles defense, one of the national leaders in turnovers forced, held the Bison (4-5, 1-1 MEAC) to just 114 yards of total offense. NCCU had two picks on defense, giving the team 12 for the season, and the Eagles recorded three sacks.
The Eagles will return to action on Saturday, hitting the road to take on Norfolk State. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m., and the game will air live on ESPN+.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
Game Notes
- Quarterback Jousha Jones accounted for three touchdowns — two passing and one rushing.
- Jones threw for 189 yards and ran for 32.
- Freshman kicker Riley Daniels hit two field goals in the second quarter, giving him four games this season with multiple made field goals.
- The Eagles had two more interceptions on defense, giving them 12 for the season.
- NCCU has 20 forced turnovers on defense this season. They led FCS coming into Saturday's game.
- The 114 yards the Eagles allowed on Saturday are a season low. NCCU also held Howard to 44 passing yards, another season low.
With the Win…
- Head coach Trei Oliver is one win shy of 50 for his career.
- The Eagles picked up back-to-back wins for the first time since defeating Elizabeth City State and North Carolina A&T.
- NCCU has won 13 of the last 14 meetings against Howard and leads the all-time series 19-10-1.
- Oliver is 6-1 against Howard.
