McDaniel Has Career-Day In Loss To NC A&T
GREENSBORO, NC- North Carolina Central University wide receiver Ryan McDaniel finished with a career-high 178 yards in the 37-14 loss to long-time rival North Carolina A&T University Saturday in Truist Stadium in Greensboro.
The NCCU Eagles came into this game fresh off a tough victory against Winston-Salem State in which their offense came alive late, and that was the case again this weekend.
The home team opened the scoring in the first quarter when Aggie kicker Andrew Brown knocked a 39-yard field goal through the middle of the goal post to give A&T the 3-0 lead.
After a less than successful first drive for NCCU, A&T would respond by finding the endzone from 47-yards out via Kashon Baker’s run up the middle of the field for a 10-0 advantage with 7:01 remaining in the first quarter.
The Eagles had teased a scoring drive with some big plays by the offense.
Runs by Isaiah Totten and quarterback Davius Richard moved the chains a couple of times. Unfortunately, the most they could squeeze out of it was a 30-yard field goal by Adrian Olivio to give the Eagles the 10-3 deficit heading into the second quarter.
NC A&T put their foot on the pedal and began to separate themselves from the Eagles.
A&T would force a three-and-out possession from the Eagles to gain the ball right back then would eventually tag on a Brown 25-yard chip shot to extend the lead back to 10 at 13-3.
On the following possession, Jazir Stanton fell on the ball in the end zone for a touchdown after the Aggies blocked the NCCU punt.
A&T would get the ball back and marched down the field killing time before Jalen Fowler found Elijah Bowick in the back left corner of the end zone for an amazing catch with one second remaining in the half to give A&T the 27-3 advantage heading into halftime.
As Eagles fans tried to enjoy the halftime show, there was a stale taste in the air of a 27-3 deficit. Fun fact, that field goal by Olivio was the first point the Eagles have scored against the Aggies since 2017.
NC Central showed some fight in the second half of play. A field goal in the third and a touchdown catch by Ryan McDaniel with five minutes left in the fourth almost resembled a miracle comeback. McDaniel finished the game with a career-high 178 yards receiving on nine receptions.
The Aggies would respond with a four-minute drive that led to a rushing touchdown by Bhayshal Tuten to give the home team a 37-14 advantage and killed all hope for an NCCU comeback.
Despite the tough loss for the favorite team in Durham, NCCU’s (2-2, 0-0 MEAC) season is not over. The Eagles will look to shake this game off and bounce back next Saturday, October 2nd when they travel to Mississippi Valley State University, with aspirations of a better result than today with the game against