DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University football team suffered two losses on Saturday at Florida International University in Miami.
The visiting Eagles lost the game to FIU by a score of 39-14, but also lost two starters for the rest of the season due to injuries.
NCCU junior FCS All-American cornerback and return specialist Mike Jones suffered a fractured ankle in the first quarter, while junior transfer receiver Khalil Stinson fractured his hip on a second-quarter punt return.
NCCU head coach Jerry Mack says the loss of Jones and Stinson has a “huge impact” on the team.
“This is very unfortunate for these two young men and their families,” said Mack. “Mike is obviously a key player for us and I was looking forward to watching Khalil continue to grow as we enter conference play. We’re sure they will be back in 2016 ready to go.”
Stinson, who is from College Park, Georgia and transferred to NCCU from Arizona Western Junior College, is scheduled for surgery on Monday. Jones, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, will have surgery later this week.
Looking ahead to the rest of the campaign, Mack says “the next man has to step up.”
“The other guys that practice hard all week will have a great opportunity to step up and make their presence known,” said the second-year head coach.
NCCU enters its bye week with a 1-2 record and will return to action on Oct. 3 by hosting Bethune-Cookman University to open conference play. Kickoff at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium is slated for 4 p.m.
Courtesy: NCCU Athletics
