 "Photo: Savin Joseph/Echo photography editor")
 "Photo: Savin Joseph/Echo photography editor")
Saturday afternoon marked the third time in as many tries that the football team walked off the field in heartbreak, despair and disbelief.
NCCU had just lost its home opener to Morehead State in double overtime 13-10.
Morehead place-kicker Rainer Duzan drilled a 45-yarder through the uprights to win the game after a costly interception at the start of the second overtime thrown by sophomore quarterback Michael Johnson.
Missed opportunities all game led to the NCCU Eagles defeat at the hands of the Morehead State Eagles as they seemed to never be able to connect for the big play. Several big plays down field were either dropped or overthrown.
Perhaps none bigger than the second play of the game when junior running back Tim Shankle ran for a long touchdown only to have it called back on holding.
“We had a lot of dropped passes today and we left a lot of opportunities on the field,” said head football coach Mose Rison.
NCCU outgained Morehead 328 yards to 265 yards in total offensive yards and seemed to have a glaring advantage in team speed as they constantly beat Moreheads’ defensive backs down field all game.
“Offense played poorly today, we just did not execute,” Rison said.
The NCCU offense was red-shirt freshmen wide receiver Geovonie Irvine who led the eagles with 7 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown.
He is an unbelievable talent,” quarterback Michael Johnson said. “I just knew I had to make a play… big plays make everyone excited,” Irvine said.
The NCCU defense only allowed Morehead state one touchdown all game despite being put in bad positions at times with fumbles and a bad punt. The Eagles’ defense forced two interceptions and kept NCCU in the game.
“We played alright after giving up a few big plays, but I can’t say it was the best game we’ve played as a defense,” junior defensive tackle Teryl White said.
Rison was also not pleased with the intensity that his team showed throughout the contest. “It’s puzzling to understand how we came out flat,” Rison said.
Rison also stated that Tuesday and Wednesday were not good practices either so it was not a good week for the team.
“Sometimes you underestimate your opponent and this is what happens,” Johnson said.
The Eagles’ have found it hard to put their best game together so far this year.
“They just played a better game than we did today,” White said.
The loss puts NCCU at 0-3 heading into next week’s Bull City Gridiron Classic against Duke University, the only Football bowl subdivision team (Formerly D-IA) on the schedule.
“It’s a great historical event for the city of Durham and both Universities,” Rison said.
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