NCCU’s Davius Richard Shines in Tough Loss at Home

DURHAM, NC- North Carolina Central University falls to 2-4 on the year after a 26-16 loss to Tennessee Tech University. Yet, young quarterback, Davius Richard still managed to put on a show.

A big issue all year has been drive sustainability. This was the problem today, at least at the beginning of the game. The first half was rough for the Eagles. 

A huge blocked punt by the Golden Eagles came at literally the first drive of the game. After that, quarterback for the Golden Eagles, Willie Miller, muscled his way in for the first score. 

The highlight of the half for the home team was a field goal from Adrian Olivio from 34 yards out with 8:09 left to play in quarter one. 

Well, Besides Manny Smith’s interception at the 43 with 4-minutes left. 

Miller would bounce back from the pick and go on to get his only passing touchdown of the game with an 18-yard touchdown throw to David Gist. 

With 7:37 left to play in the half, Jordan Brown wiggles his way into a 6-yard touchdown. Leaving the score 21-3. 

This was the last time TTU would record a touchdown for the rest of the game. 

NCCU’s offense was not as affluent. Other than the field goal, they produced a total of four punts and a turnover on downs in the first half. 

The first half no doubt belonged to the Golden eagles. Coupled with 21 points, they racked up 144 yards through the air and 112 on the ground. 

NCCU’s defense stepped up big time later in the game. Although TTU would go to rush for 89 more yards, Miller only added one more passing yard. 

The third quarter was scoreless for both teams. The Eagles could not muster up a run game. With just 22 rushing yards in the first half, they only added 36 in the second. 

Davius Richard must have noticed the discrepancy or heard the chatter that Miller was outplaying him. Richard loaded his arm cannon and slung for 213 yards in the second half, which is a win for NCCU because they really needed him to have a breakout game.

Not to mention his 100 yards thrown in the first. He passed for two touchdowns in the fourth, one to Andrew Smith for 48 yards with 8 minutes left to play, and another to Devin Smith for 9 yards. 

Coincidentally, between those two scores, Hayden Olsen knocked in two field goals. Both were from 46 yards out. 

Richard finished with a 135 QBR and 313 passing yards with 2 touchdowns and 68% completion. He also was the teams leading rusher with 23 yards. 

NCCU (2-4, 0-0 MEAC), face their first conference opponent at Morgan State University in Maryland on October 23.