DURHAM, N.C. – After Duke University amassed 416 yards of total offense and 49 unanswered points in the first half, Durham neighbor North Carolina Central University managed to hold the Blue Devils scoreless after intermission and added a pair of field goals in a 49-6 season-opening loss at Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday night.
NCCU senior Brandon McLaren kicked a career-long 48-yard field goal late in the third quarter, then added a 34-yard field goal at the start of the fourth quarter to account for the Eagles scoring. Both kicks followed fumble recoveries, which proved to be one of the highlights for NCCU. In all, the Eagles recovered five loose balls, matching the most by NCCU since Sept 25, 2010 against North Carolina A&T. [easyazon_infoblock align=”right” cart=”y” identifier=”B0170ADY8M” locale=”US” tag=”hbcusports-20″]
Three sophomore safeties – Alden McClellon, Davanta Reynolds and Jaquell Taylor – topped NCCU’s defensive effort with eight tackles each. Of McClellon’s eight stops, 2.5 were behind the line of scrimmage, including a solo sack and a forced fumble. Linebacker Reggie Hunter and lineman Ja’Quan Smith added seven takedowns apiece for the Eagles.
NCCU senior quarterback Malcolm Bell completed 7 of 25 passes for 74 yards with an interception. He is now 17 yards shy of becoming the seventh NCCU signal caller with 4,000 passing yards.
Sophomore running back Dorrel McClain tallied 23 rushing yards on eight carries, while redshirt-freshman Torri Cotton contributed 20 ground yards on five attempts. LaVontis Smith and David Miller had two catches each for 20 and 19 yards, respectively.
Duke finished the contest with 535 yards of total offense, including 308 rushing and 227 through the air. NCCU posted 112 total yards with 38 on the ground and 74 passing.
Up next, NCCU visits Western Michigan on Sept. 10.
Courtesy: NCCU Athletics
