From the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference:
North Carolina Central 38, Norfolk State 36 (2 OT)
South Carolina State 15, Howard 12
North Carolina Central 38, Norfolk State 36 (2 OT)
DURHAM, N.C. — North Carolina Central overcame a 21-point deficit to capture a thrilling, double-overtime, homecoming victory over Norfolk State, 38-36, in front of 10,027 fans at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium on Saturday.
Norfolk State (6-3, 2-1 MEAC) entered the contest riding a six-game win streak with an unbeaten conference record, and stormed out to a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter.
However, the Homecoming hosts never quit. The Eagles used a 27-yard touchdown run by Latrell Collier, a 22-yard touchdown pass from Davius Richard to Devin Smith and a 31-yard field goal by Adrian Olivo to narrow the Spartans’ advantage to 21-17 at halftime.
Late in the third quarter, Richard connected with Ryan McDaniel for a 29-yard touchdown to give NCCU the lead, 24-21.
With less than two minutes remaining in regulation, the visiting Spartans used a 13-play, 81-yard drive to kick the game-tying field goal with 24 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
In the first overtime, Richard scored on a 6-yard run, but NCCU’s extra-point kick was blocked.
Norfolk State running back J.J. Davis evened the score at 30-30 with a chance to win the game with the PAT kick, but the try was missed to force a second overtime.
In the second extra session, Davis scored his third rushing touchdown of the day for Norfolk State, finishing with 217 ground yards, but the two-point pass attempt was broken-up by Manny Smith after a Norfolk State personal foul penalty made the try from 18 yards out.
Needing a touchdown to stay in the game, Iasiah Totten bulled his way into the end zone from the 5-yard line to tie the score. On the extra point, Richard found Daeshawn Stephens for the game-winning conversion, setting off a huge Homecoming celebration.
South Carolina State 15, Howard 12
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Defense came up big once again for the Bulldogs as South Carolina State survived a tough battle 15-12 over the visiting Howard Bison on Saturday at Oliver. C. Dawson Stadium.
Sophomore defensive end Patrick Godbolt had a career day with nine tackles, two sacks for 21 yards, 4 tackles for loss for 25 yards and one forced fumble. Redshirt sophomore Jablonski Green added an extra lift on the defensive front with six tackles for loss for 29 yards, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Freshman running back Kendrell Flowers led the ground attack with 23 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown. Senior wide receiver Will Vereen finished with six catches for 60 yards.
S.C. State improves to 5-4 overall, 4-0 in the MEAC to remain in first in the league race, while Howard drops to 2-7 overall, 1-3 in the league.
