jjohnson@heraldsun.com; 419-6667
DURHAM -- Good news flowed from everywhere on Saturday in N.C. Central's 53-22 homecoming victory over Central State (Ohio) at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
Not only did the Eagles celebrate their second victory in a row, the marching band was invited to participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Calif.
All this week leading up to the game, NCCU's current players heard from former players who reminded them of the importance of winning the homecoming game.
"We played good," NCCU linebacker Donald Laster. "That's one of the rules. You can't lose homecoming."
The Eagles' record in homecoming games now is 53-19-2, having won the past four.
NCCU coach Mose Rison said he his happy with the way his team has played in the past two outings compared to the first six games.
"We've got some momentum now," Rison said. "Look where we were three weeks ago. We've gone from a six-game losing streak to a two-game winning streak."
The Eagles (2-6) took all the encouragement they received leading up to the game and put it to good use against Central State (1-8).
NCCU took the opening kickoff and drove 72 yards for the first score of the game, a 16-yard scramble by quarterback Michael Johnson. That type of play wasn't one that Johnson easily converted early in the season, according to Rison.
"Michael has improved so much," Rison said. "He's doing things in the offense now that he wasn't doing at the beginning of the season."
Johnson finished 14-of-25 for 246 yards and two touchdowns to go with his rushing TD.
NCCU clearly was the dominant team despite allowing Central State to score a pair of first-half touchdowns, though the Eagles led 30-14 at the break.
NCCU's offense had its way against Central State, outgaining the Marauders 492-198. The Eagles also dominated time of possession 36:05 to 23:55 and were so effective on offense that Brian Haselsberger was called on to punt only twice.
"When we can score all these points and the defense get the stops, we're ready for any challenge," said NCCU receiver Will Scott, who finished with six catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns. "I'm excited about what we're doing."
After Scott and Geovonie Irvine, who had four catches for 84 yards, loosened up the Central State defense with downfield receptions, running backs Tim Shankle and Tony McCord got their chance to move the ball. Shankle finished with 88 yards on 16 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns, while McCord rushed 13 times for 85 yards.
"There were holes everywhere," Shankle said. "The team is getting better and better, and we're getting a lot of confidence. We didn't want to lose this game."
The Eagles, after getting through the early part of the season without a win, set a goal for themselves to win their final five games. NCCU is two steps closer to attaining that goal, but the Eagles will have to go on the road in the next two games. NCCU visits Old Dominion next Saturday.
"It's a big accomplishment if we can go 5-for-5," Johnson said.
