title image via North Carolina Central Football
Courtesy of North Central Athletics
The North Carolina Central University football team picked up its third straight win on Saturday, upending Campbell University 45-14 at Barker-Lane Stadium.
The Eagles improved to 4-2 overall on the season.
The Eagles took their second drive of the game 94 yards for the first score, when quarterback Walker Harris connected with Joaquin Davis for a 5-yard touchdown pass to give N.C. Central an early 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing drive, N.C. Central’s defense forced a three-and-out by the Fighting Camels, then wide receiver Darryl Taylor took the punt 68 yards for a touchdown and put the Eagles up 14-0.
It was the Eagles’ second score on a punt this season; Trey Goodriddge recovered a blocked punt in the end zone two weeks ago against North Carolina A&T.
Special teams came up big again for the Eagles, following a botched snap on a Campbell punt, giving N.C. Central 1st-and-goal from the 1-yard line. On the ensuing play, J’Mari Taylor ran in for a touchdown, giving the Eagles a 21-0 lead.
N.C. Central took their final drive of the opening half 66 yards for a touchdown in just nine plays. Harris recorded his second rushing touchdown of the season from three yards.
The Eagles took a 28-0 lead into the locker room for the half.
The Camels got on the board in the third quarter, going 83 yards in four plays, ending in a 55-yard rushing touchdown by VJ Wilkins at the 6:19 mark to cut the lead to 28-7.
The Eagles responded to Campbell’s score in the final minute of the quarter, when Harris connected with Chauncey Spikes for a 10-yard pass, completing a 75-yard, 10-play drive that extended the Eagles’ lead to 35-7.
Juan Velarde added three more points to the Eagles’ total with a 43-yard field goal after N.C. Central notched a turnover on a fumble recovery by Matt Leavelle.
The Camels cut into the lead again after a rushing touchdown by Mike Chandler II for 72 yards to cap off an 80-yard, 2-play drive with 13:36 left in the contest.
But the Eagles rebutted the Camels’ score with a two-play drive of their own. Christian Mosley scored on a 57-yard run with 12:55 remaining to extend N.C. Central’s lead to 45-14.
North Carolina Central will return to O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium this coming Saturday, as the Eagles welcome Virginia-Lynchburg to Durham, N.C. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. and the game can be seen live on ESPN+.
With the Win…
- Head coach Trei Oliver improves to 33-20 overall.
- The Eagles are now 2-1 all-time against Campbell.
- The Eagles are 1-1 in games played at Barker-Lane Stadium
- N.C. Central is now 2-2 against teams from the state of North Carolina this season, and 22-21 since 2011.
- Since taking over as head coach, Oliver is now 9-6 against teams from the state of North Carolina.
- Under Oliver, N.C. Central is 17-12 in non-conference games.
- The Eagles are 1-1 in true road games this season.
- The Eagles have now won two games against CAA foes this season: North Carolina A&T and Campbell.
Game Notes
- Quarterback Walker Harris has thrown for at least one touchdown in every game except one this season, and he has now thrown 11 touchdowns.
- Sophomore wide receiver Darryl Taylor recorded his first touchdown of the season with a 68-yard punt return.
- Running back J’Mari Taylor has recorded at least one rushing touchdown in every game he has played this season.
- Harris recorded his second rushing touchdown of the season on a 3-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
- Defensive back Malcolm Reed has now recorded two interceptions on the season, with the interception in the third quarter.
- Tight end turned defensive lineman Matt Leavelle recovered his first fumble of the season late in the third quarter that was converted into three points.
- Juan Velarde was 6-for-6 on PAT attempts and kicked a season-long 43-yard field goal for the Eagles.
- Running back Christen Mosley recorded his second game with a rushing touchdown of 55 yards or more (the other was an 80-yard score against Elon).
- Freshman Tomondrey Braxton recorded his first interception of his career for the Eagles.
- The Eagles are now 20-for-21 in the red zone, and the only time they did not score was a kneel down against Norfolk State.
- Saturday marked the fourth time the Eagles have scored at least 30 points this season and their third in a row.
- The Eagles’ defense had four sacks, seven tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, and two interceptions.
- Campbell was held to just 281 yards of total offense and 103 yards passing.
