How North Carolina Central took the fight out of Campbell in blowout win

Nccu Football

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, and wide receiver Darryl Taylor took the punt 68 yards for a touchdown, putting the Eagles up 14-0.

It was the Eagles’ second score on a punt this season; Trey Goodridge 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.

The Camels 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.

Courtesy: NC Central Athletics