N.C. Central 34, Johnson C. Smith 3

With the victory, NCCU finishes the campaign with a 5-4 overall record, including a 3-3 mark in CIAA play. The last time the Eagles ended a season with more wins than losses was in 1996, when head coach Larry Little led NCCU to an 8-3 overall record.

NCCU amassed 370 yards of total offense, including 278 yards rushing, while holding the Golden Bulls to 191 yards of total offense. More importantly, a stingy Eagle defense held Jimmy Bell, the No. 1 rusher in the conference with 113. 4 yards per game, to just 67 yards on 23 carries.

For the Eagles, senior running back Cheo Johnson ran for 131 yards on 15 attempts to earn the Carolinas Classic Offensive M.V.P. award. Fellow backfield mates Lawrence Fuller and Donnie Pippen each scored a touchdown and rushed for 57 and 27 yards, respectively. Freshman quarterback Sean Williams did a little of everything, accounting for 97 Eagle yards. The rookie ran for 38 yards on 6 carries, completed 2-of-9 passes for 24 yards and a touchdown, and grabbed his first career reception on a 35-yard connection from wide receiver Ryan Walden. It was Walden who was on the receiving end of Williams' 24-yard touchdown strike in the second quarter.

The Eagle defense was sparked by senior linebackers Chris Gilmore and Alik Tillery. Gilmore finished with a team-best 10 tackles, including two hits for a loss and a fumble recovery. Tillery collected six tackles (five solo), including four behind the line of scrimmage for 34 yards lost. Chris Everett, Luis George and Hassan Smith all tallied interceptions for NCCU.

Senior punter/place kicker Roger Burbage posted 10 points on the Ericsson Stadium scoreboard, courtesy of two field goals (31, 25) and four extra point kicks.

J.C. Smith (2-7, 2-4 CIAA) was topped defensively by Nicholas Kittles with 15 tackles to earn Carolinas Classic Defensive M.V.P. honors.

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