jjohnson@heraldsun.com; 419-6667
DURHAM -- N.C. Central still is trying to figure out how to finish a football game with a victory.
On Saturday, the Eagles fell to Morehead State 13-10 in double overtime after rallying to tie the game before the end of regulation.
In their previous two losses, NCCU jumped out to leads only to see them evaporate. Against Morehead State, the Eagles gave up the first points but fought back to tie the score twice.
Both teams missed field goals in the first overtime.
After holding Morehead State scoreless, NCCU had a chance to win it but kicker Frankie Cardelle's 49-yard attempt was short and to the right.
NCCU got the ball first in the second overtime, but on second-and-10 from the 25, Eagles quarterback Michael Johnson was intercepted after his pass was deflected at the line.
Morehead State then ran three plays before sending in freshman Rainer Duzan for a 45-yard attempt, which he made for the victory.
NCCU coach Mose Rison said he was disappointed with the way his team performed, especially on offense. The Eagles outgained Morehead State 328-265, but a lot of those yards came on second-half drives that did not result in points.
"This was a poor offensive performance; we were flat," Rison said after the Eagles fell to 2-5 in overtime games. "This was a setback, and it's puzzling. You would think, playing at home, we'd be excited.
NCCU squandered numerous scoring opportunities in the first half, including the first offensive play of the game when Johnson's bomb was just beyond the fingertips of Will Scott.
The second time NCCU got the ball, it had a 58-yard touchdown run by Tim Shankle called back because of a holding penalty.
"We just left a lot of opportunities out on the field," Rison said.
Morehead State made the most of its first possession, though. It took only four plays for Morehead State to drive 80 yards and grab the early lead.
But from that point, NCCU's defense kept Morehead State's offense under wraps.
"We settled down on defense and let them only have two field goals the rest of the way," Rison said.
Johnson said it was difficult to get into a rhythm in the first half because of the pressure he faced from Morehead State's pass rush.
"In the first half, we wanted to take a lot of shots but they just didn't work," Johnson said. "Later in the game, we finally got into a rhythm and moved the ball."
One of the bright spots, according to Rison, was wide receiver Geovonie Irvine, who caught seven passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. His 23-yard scoring reception tied the game at 7 with 1:06 left in the third quarter.
Defensive tackle Teryl White said giving up big plays early to Morehead State was the difference.
"We did pretty well after that first drive, but we've got to stop letting big plays jeopardize games for us," White said.
