CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University football team held tough for three quarters Saturday evening at Kenan Stadium, but North Carolina pulled away late to a 45-10 win.
N.C. Central dropped to 1-2 on the year, while the Tar Heels improved to 3-0.
The Eagles took the opening drive 75 yards down the field and cashed in with a 5-yard touchdown run by J’Mari Taylor to take an early 7-0 lead over the Tar Heels.
Carolina tied the game in the second quarter on an 11-yard run by Omarion Hampton. North Carolina then took a 14-7 lead when Hampton recorded his second touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run with 10:06 left in the half.
Liam Boyd nailed a 36-yard field goal at the 5:51 mark to extend the lead to 17-7.
Juan Velarde would make a 35-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to cut the Tar Heels’ lead to 17-10 at the break.
After a scoreless third quarter, which featured some tough Eagles defense, the Tar Heels were able to get on the board four times in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Jacolby Criswell got the scoring started in the frame, when he connected with tight end John Copehhaver for a 23-yard touchdown to give Carolina a 24-10 lead with 14:12 left.
Hampton then scored his third touchdown of the game at the 10:42 mark, capping a 5-play, 30-yard drive with a 4-yard score to put the Tar Heels up 31-10.
Davion Gause and Charleston French both had rushing touchdowns of their own in the final six minutes to push the game to its final margin.
The Tar Heels had 513 total offensive yards for the game, including 330 on the ground.
The Eagles will return home on Saturday for the Aggie-Eagle Classic, squaring off against rival North Carolina A&T at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., and the game will air live on ESPNU.
Game Notes
- The Eagles took the opening drive down the field for a score for the second time in three games this season.
- Freshman quarterback Javion Martin took his first snap under center, ran the ball for six yards, and picked up a first down for the Eagles.
- Running back J’Mari Taylor made it three straight games with a rushing touchdown.
- Wide receiver Chance Peterson caught five passes for 60 yards.
- Quarterback Quest Powell took his first snap under center of the season late in the fourth quarter.
- Malcolm Reed racked up a team-high nine tackles for the Eagles, six solo.
- Kole Jones, Jelani Vassell and Jaki Brevard each had eight tackles.
- Juan Velarde averaged 41.1 yards on eight punts, with a long of 51 yards.
- Saturday’s content was N.C. Central’s first against an ACC opponent other than D
Source: Maurice D. Williams/NCCU Athletics