No. 25 NCCU Football Edges TTU on Olivo’s Last-Second Field Goal

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – North Carolina Central University junior Adrian Olivo kicked a 36-yard field goal as time expired to secure a 22-20 come-from-behind road victory for the No. 25 Eagles over Tennessee Tech University on Saturday (Nov. 20) inside Tucker Stadium.

Olivo’s heroic kick, his third field goal of the day, capped a 12-play, 53-yard game-winning drive after Tennessee Tech took the lead on a touchdown with just 2:43 left in the contest.

NCCU improves its overall record to 9-2, becoming just the sixth team in school history to win nine games in a season, a feat last accomplished in 2016.

Junior running back Latrell Collier recorded a game-high 130 yards and a touchdown on the ground to top NCCU’s 216-yard rushing performance. Saturday marks the fourth time this season Collier has reached the century mark in rushing yards.

NCCU quarterback Davius Richard added 54 rushing yards, including a 35-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, while also completing 16-of-29 passes for 143 yards.

E.J. Hicks and OrTre’ Smith topped the NCCU receiving corps with four catches each, followed by Joaquin Davis and Tynez Warner with three receptions apiece.

Defensively, NCCU forced four TTU turnovers with an interception by Christian Smith (his second of the season), a fumble forced by Manny Smith and a recovery by Khalil Baker, and two turnovers on downs.

Lineman Jaden Taylor led the NCCU defense with nine tackles, including a stop for a loss, followed by Baker with eight takedowns and Manny Smith with seven stops.

The MEAC champions, under the direction of head coach and NCCU alumnus Trei Oliver, now prepare to take on the winner of the SWAC championship game in the Cricket Celebration Bowl on Dec. 17 in Atlanta. Visit thecelebrationbowl.com for ticket and hotel information.