NCCU Completes Comeback Attempt, Downs Norfolk State in Last Minute

NORFOLK, Va. — Quarterback Joshua Jones hit Mekhi Wall with 27 seconds left on Saturday at William “Dick” Price Stadium to give the North Carolina Central University football program a 29-28 comeback win over Norfolk State.

The Eagles won their third straight game and improved to 5-5 (3-0 MEAC) on the season. NCCU is tied for first place in the conference standings.

With the win, head coach Trei Oliver now has 50 victories in his career.

The comeback began, appropriately enough, with the defense. Norfolk State led 28-23 in the closing minutes and had the ball at midfield, but Deljay Bailey fumbled the ball. Defensive back John Clifford, Jr., recovered and advanced the ball to the Spartans’ 37-yard line.

Six plays later, Jones found Wall from 26 yards out.

Despite not converting the two-point conversion, the Eagles held on for the win when the Spartans’ game-winning field goal attempt missed from 37 yards.

The early momentum was on Norfolk State’s side, as the Spartans went 60 yards in seven plays on their opening drive of the game before Bailey connected with Jamison Stevens from two yards out to give the Spartans a 7-0 lead at the 12:07 mark of the first quarter.

On the ensuing drive, the Eagles went 70 yards in eight plays, capping the drive when Jones found Tyree Saunders down the left side to tie the game at 7-7 with 7:52 left in the opening frame.

The Spartans (4-6, 0-3 MEAC) scored 14 unanswered points to go into the half with a 21-3 lead. Bailey was responsible for both touchdowns: one passing to Jason Wonodi and one rushing.

Mehki Wall opened the second half with a 36-yard kickoff return that set the Eagles up in Spartans territory. NCCU then took four plays to go 49 yards before Jones found tight end Luke Bracey in the back of the endzone to cut the lead to 21-14 with 13:08 left in the third quarter.

Daniels added three points later in the quarter, kicking a 25-yard field goal to cut the deficit yet again. Heading into the fourth, Norfolk State held a 21-17 lead.

The Spartans grew their lead again in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, with Jayln Daniels finding the endzone from 13 yards out to put Norfolk State up 28-17.

On the ensuing drive, Jones helped the Eagles answer with a 7-yard rushing touchdown to cap a 7-play, 75-yard drive. Daniels PAT attempt hit the right upright, leaving the Spartans with a 28-23 lead with 11:20 left to play.

Jones accounted for four touchdowns on the day to tie a career high. Three of those scores were in the air and one came on the ground.

Running back Gino Addison was strong again on the ground, rushing for 174 yards on 18 carries — averaging almost 10 yards a carry.

The Eagles will be on the road again on Saturday, when they head to Orangeburg, S.C., for a first-place showdown against defending MEAC champion South Carolina State.