North Carolina Central 38, Lenoir-Rhyne 16

September 9, 2006

DURHAM, NC - North Carolina Central University head coach Rod Broadway says the number one priority for Eagles football going into any game is stopping the run. The Eagles succeded, holding the Lenoir-Rhyne College Bears (1-1, 0-0 SAC) to just 73 yards rushing on their way to a 38-16 victory in front of 6,347 fans at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

The Eagles fell behind 10-0 early, behind 51 rushing yards from the Bears early in the first quarter. LRC kicker Andrew Coln booted a 49-yard field goal with 10:17 remaining in the first quarter to give the Bears a 3-0 lead. On their next possession, LRC running back Patrick Capers' 1-yard touchdown run capped a nine-play 41-yard drive, giving head coach Wayne Hicks' unit a 10-0 lead.

NCCU (3-0, 2-0 CIAA) scored its first points with 1:23 left in the first quarter, coming on a 22-yard field goal by junior kicker Brandon Gilbert. The field goal was setup by redshirt freshman Stadford Browns' 47-yard strike to Daunte' Fields. Fields, a senior receiver from West Palm Beach, Fla., recorded a career-high in receptions (3) and yards (69).

Charles Futrell, a 6-6 receiver from Fayetteville, N.C., caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Brown with 8:52 remaining in the second quarter to tie the score at 10-10. On the Eagles next possession, senior receiver Julius McClellan caught a 48-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Adrian Warren. Brown, Warren and the Eagle offense scored 17-straight points to lead 17-10 at halftime.

The Eagles opened up the second half with a 8-play, 75-yard drive that was converted into a 4-yard touchdown run by running back Greg Pruitt, Jr., who needs 15 yards to become NCCU's second all-time leading rusher. NCCU finished off its 31-0 run with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Brown to Futrell. NCCU scored the first 14 points of the second half, to take a 31-10 lead midway through the third quarter.

LRC added a 53-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Justin Sanders to wide receiver Martin Tuberville at the 4:12 mark in the third quarter. However, the Eagles responded two possesions later on a 38-yard touchdown pass from Brown to McClellan, giving Coach Broadways' team a 38-16 victory. McClellan's 103 receiving yards are a season-high and Futrell's two touchdown receptions are a career-high.

Brown, a 6-1, 196-pound Washington, D.C. native, who was chosen as the CIAA Rookie of the Week after winning his first career start two weeks ago against Albany State University, made a case to win the award again this week. Brown completed 12-of-19 passes for career-highs of 278 yards and three touchdowns. His 278 yards are the most by an NCCU quarterback since Warren amassed 334 yards and seven touchdowns against Edward Waters College on Aug. 27, 2005.

Senior linebacker Naim Abdul-Malik paced the Eagles defense with seven tackles (three solo and one for loss), a forced fumble and a pass break-up. Junior linebacker Derrick Ray added seven tackles (two solo and one for loss), while senior defensive tackle Greg Peterson recorded six tackles (two solo and two for loss), a pass breakup and a sack. The Eagle defense allowed 302 total yards (the most allowed this season), but just 73 yards rushing on 36 attempts (two yards per rush). The defense also produced two sacks, six pass breakups and two blocked kicks.

LRC's offense was led by Sanders, who completed 19-of-27 passes for 229 yards and one touchdown, while running back Ronnie Edwards rushed 13 times for 40 yards. Wide receiver Dontez Simmons caught two passes for 71 yards and Tuberville had one catch for 53 yards and a touchdown.

NCCU has an off-week next Saturday before traveling to Baton Rouge, La. to face the Southern University Jaguars on Sept. 23, at 6 p.m.