GREENVILLE, N.C. — The North Carolina Central University football program's defense forced four turnovers on the road Saturday afternoon, but it was not enough as the Eagles dropped a tough game at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
The Pirates won 42-9.
NCCU dropped to 2-3 on the season.
In all, the Eagles defense recovered three East Carolina fumbles and picked off one pass on the afternoon. NCCU forced four turnovers in a game for the second time this season.
The Eagles got on the board first, scoring on their opening drive when freshman kicker Riley Daniels made a 39-yard field goal to cap an 8-play, 58-yard drive to give NCCU a 3-0 lead with 10:47 left in the opening quarter.
On the ensuing drive, the Pirates (2-2) got to the goal line before freshman defensive back Amari Sifford punched the ball out to force an ECU fumble in the end zone — one Jakarii Martin II recovered.
But ECU rebounded when TJ Engleman Jr. got the Pirates on the board with a 5-yard run to put them up 7-3 with just 4:39 left in the first quarter.
Emory Williams found Michael Williams from six yards out to extend the lead for the Pirates to 14-3. That score kicked off a run of 35 unanswered points in the second quarter for East Carolina.
But the Eagles defense had its moments in the second quarter — particularly from Zarion Walters, who forced and recovered a fumble on a sack at the 6:16 mark of the frame.
Senior linebacker Joshua Maxwell picked off a pass early in the third quarter, his first of the season, and the Eagles' last turnover of the game came at the start of the fourth when senior defensive back Brandon Sanders forced and recovered a fumble on the one-yard line.
The Eagles found the end zone with 5:10 remaining in the game, when Cobey Thompkins hit Nasim Cosby from 10 yards out, capping off a 10-play, 76-yard drive to cut the lead to 42-9.
The Eagles will return to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium next Saturday, when they play host to Campbell. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., and the game will air live on the MEAC Network.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
Game Notes
- Saturday's contest marked the second time the Eagles have forced four turnovers in a game this season. The other came against North Carolina A&T on Sept. 12.
- Freshman kicker Riley Daniels now has at least one made field goal in all five games so far this season.
- Daniels' 39-yard field goal on Saturday was his longest of the season.
- Senior linebacker Joshua Maxwell recorded his first interception of the season.
- Senior defensive back Brandon Sanders forced and recovered a fumble early in the fourth quarter.
- Sophomore defensive back Joshua Truesdale led the Eagles defense with eight tackles and a pass breakup.
