 "Photo: Neka Jones/Echo photo editor")
For Eagle fans, students and players, last Thursday could not have gone any better. Due to major power outages throughout campus, classes were cancelled. Many speculated about whether the game was going to take place.
Not only did the game go on, but the N.C. Central University Eagles provided all the power, dominating Johnson C. Smith University 59-0.
Right from the start, the Eagles came out and flexed their muscles on the Bulls, scoring touchdowns on the first three drives of the season.
"I thought we played real well for the first game of the season," said Head Coach Mose Rison. "Of course there were some mistakes but I felt like we did a good job."
The Eagle Offense was led by veteran quarterback Keon Williams who threw for 110 yards and 4 touchdowns. "I feel like I am a vet. I have been here almost as long as anyone else," said Williams.
The Eagle run game logged 239 rushing yards on the night, led by senior running back Tim Shankle and Williams who rushed for 86, 62 yards respectively.
"We ran the ball very effectively whenever we wanted to," said Rison.
Perhaps the most impressive part of the Eagles game was its staunch defense, which was without star senior defensive tackle Teryl White, but still managed to shut out the JCSU offense.
"I feel like the sky's the limit for this defense. As we improve we can expect more great things," said senior cornerback Rashad Fox. Fox had an interception and a 55-yard fumble return to the 1-yard line.
The closest the Bulls came to the end zone all night was on the NCCU 29-yardline, before an interception and runback for an Eagle touchdown by junior linebacker Roger Stewart halted that drive.
The game was not without drama; in the early part of the 4th quarter, a brief scuffle between players from JCSU and NCCU resulted in three players being ejected.
That energy must have carried over to the fans because a fight broke out in the stands as well.
"As the game got a little more out of hand it got more and more chippy but in the end we have to have more class when teams try to anger us," Fox said.
Rison agreed. "We just have to hope our kids keep their focus on the game."
This was the Eagles' first opening win since 2006, when they defeated Albany State University 20-0.
"To be able to start off the season 1-0 is a really good feeling," said Rison.
In front of 9,257 fans, on the first Thursday night game in 44 years, the Eagles proved they are officially D-1 ready.
"Not to take anything away from Johnson C. Smith, but we wanted to make a statement with a victory to let people know we are D-1," said Fox.
Next week the Eagles face long- time rival Winston-Salem State University at O'Kelly Riddick Stadium.
Last year WSSU competed as a MEAC school but went back to Division 2 and is now competing in the CIAA.
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