 "Photo: N/A")
With 11:08 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, the N.C. Central University football team was in the driver's seat, after a touchdown run by sophomore quarterback Michael Johnson gave the Eagles a 24-23 lead.
The Eagles held onto the lead until the last few minutes when a series of penalties moved the offense from their own 4-yard line to the 24, forcing them to punt.
A botched snap led to a punt of negative one yard from freshman punter Brian Haselberger.
The Hampton Pirates' offense took over with great field position and scored the winning touchdown on a 29-yard run by senior running back Lamarcus Coker.
Unsuccessful on their following 4 straight passes, the Eagles could not recover and lost 31-24.
"We must execute the small things to win close games," said junior linebacker Donald Laster. "Hampton did that and that's why they won today."
The Eagles were marred by penalties all day that altered field position and negated huge plays.
One play in particular was a touchdown pass by Johnson to freshman wide receiver Andrew Johnson, which was brought back due to offensive holding.
" It hurt bad when I looked back and saw the flag on the field; I went from thinking we had the game won to the worst feeling in the world," said Michael Johnson.
Hampton took advantage of Eagle miscues in the game, scoring on almost every drive that the offense gave up the ball with a turnover.
The Pirates' game-changing performer was senior wide receiver Damon McDaniel who was once a Florida State Seminole.
McDaniel scored two touchdowns; a 32-yard pass from sophomore quarter back David Legree and an 82 yard punt return.
NCCU was also injury plagued. Several players caught cramps and minor injuries and missed time on the field. Johnson came out for two series after being hit upon delivering a touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Will Scott.
" They were giving me fluids and I was trying to look and see what was going on," said Johnson.
"Then, when I heard Hampton scored, I said I got to get back on the field."
"We had all kinds of penalties," said NCCU head football coach Mose Rison. "On the last drive, it seemed like every flag was against us."
However, it was not all bad for the Eagles since they never faded and answered the bell almost every time they needed to.
Next week, the team will look to pick up their first win of the season as they travel to Lynchburg, Va. to face Liberty University coming off a 13-point defeat at the hands of West Virginia University.
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article! Log in to Comment
You must be logged in to comment on an article. Not already a member? Register now