NCCU Dominates Campbell On The Road

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University football team picked up its third straight win on Saturday, upending Campbell University 45-14 at Barker-Lane Stadium.

The Eagles improved to 4-2 overall on the season.

The Eagles took their second drive of the game 94 yards for the first score, when quarterback Walker Harris connected with Joaquin Davis for a 5-yard touchdown pass to give N.C. Central an early 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing drive, N.C. Central’s defense forced a three-and-out by the Fighting Camels, then wide receiver Darryl Taylor took the punt 68 yards for a touchdown and put the Eagles up 14-0.

It was the Eagles’ second score on a punt this season; Trey Goodriddge recovered a blocked punt in the end zone two weeks ago against North Carolina A&T.

Special teams came up big again for the Eagles, following a botched snap on a Campbell punt, giving N.C. Central 1st-and-goal from the 1-yard line. On the ensuing play, J’Mari Taylor ran in for a touchdown, giving the Eagles a 21-0 lead.

N.C. Central took their final drive of the opening half 66 yards for a touchdown in just nine plays. Harris recorded his second rushing touchdown of the season from three yards.

The Eagles took a 28-0 lead into the locker room for the half.

The Camels got on the board in the third quarter, going 83 yards in four plays, ending in a 55-yard rushing touchdown by VJ Wilkins at the 6:19 mark to cut the lead to 28-7.

The Eagles responded to Campbell’s score in the final minute of the quarter, when Harris connected with Chauncey Spikes for a 10-yard pass, completing a 75-yard, 10-play drive that extended the Eagles’ lead to 35-7.

Juan Velarde added three more points to the Eagles’ total with a 43-yard field goal after N.C. Central notched a turnover on a fumble recovery by Matt Leavelle.

Campbell cut into the lead again after a rushing touchdown by Mike Chandler II for 72 yards to cap off an 80-yard, 2-play drive with 13:36 left in the contest.

But the Eagles rebutted the Camels’ score with a two-play drive of their own. Christian Mosley scored on a 57-yard run with 12:55 remaining to extend N.C. Central’s lead to 45-14.

North Carolina Central will return to O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium this coming Saturday, as the Eagles welcome Virginia-Lynchburg to Durham, N.C. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.