jjohnson@heraldsun.com; 419-6667
DURHAM -- Rivarly games are good. Close rivalry games are great. Just ask any player on N.C. Central's football team.
Today the Eagles (0-4) will take on their biggest rival when they travel to North Carolina A&T (6 p.m., WRJD 1410-AM).
The Aggies (2-2) have dominated the overall series in the past quarter century, but NCCU has won the three most recent meetings and four of the past six. Of those games, three were settled by a single point, including NCCU's 28-27 victory in Charlotte a year ago.
The down side from the rivalry was two years ago in Greensboro, when a postgame brawl tarnished the Eagles' 27-22 victory.
"I've been a part of rivalry games in other places, so I know what this type of game means," said NCCU coach Mose Rison, who is 3-0 against the Aggies. "It's a game you want to win more than any other."
Heading into this rivalry showdown, the Eagles are facing the same situation they were in a year ago -- winless and seeking answers. They found them against the Aggies with their first win of the season, and they hope to do the same in this game.
Junior free safety Jeffery Henderson was introduced to this rivalry as a freshman and played an unexpected starring role in that NCCU victory when he intercepted a pass and returned it for the winning touchdown.
"I didn't know how big it was until after that game," Henderson said. "Afterwards, everybody came up and was like saying how much it meant to beat A&T. It's really big for the students."
For the Eagles to have a chance today, Rison said his team will have to cut out the mistakes that have been a problem in the first four games. He is happy with the way quarterback Michael Johnson and the defense have played.
"The team that makes the fewest mistakes is going to win," Rison said. "People think that Michael Johnson is a veteran quarterback, but in reality, he's only started five games. He's making progress, and we need to keep doing what we're doing."
A year ago, NCCU jumped out to a 21-0 lead but had to hold on to secure its one-point victory. The Eagles lost starting quarterback Stadford Brown to a shoulder injury in that game and had to rely on backup Keon Wlliams to keep the offense together. And he did, going 4-for-5 for 77 yards in the second half.
Rison said he is comfortable with either Johnson or Williams leading the offense now.
The Aggies have improved their offense, as well. Rison said his defense will face a more experienced quarterback in senior Carlton Fears and an explosive runner in sophomore Mike Mayhew, who is averaging better than 5 yards a carry.
"Their quarterback is a great athlete," Rison said. "He can really run, and he has a good arm. We're going to have to make sure we contain him."
Defensively, the Aggies are using a lot more pressure so far.
"They're going to bring pressure," Rison said. "Michael is going to have to make his reads and make the right decisions."
And even if he does, the game probably is going to go down to the wire again.
"That's what this game has been all about," Rison said. "It's just that type of game."
