North Carolina Central University

FOOTBALL

View 2002 Football Schedule

     DURHAM, NC -- North Carolina Central University has announced the 2002 Eagle Football schedule, which features five home games, a brand new opponent and a renewed acquaintance. 
     For the ninth consecutive season, NCCU will kickoff its gridiron schedule with the "Aggie-Eagle Classic" against Division I-AA rival North Carolina A&T State University. After eight years in Raleigh, it appears as though the Classic may have a new home, although a site has not been confirmed yet for the August 31 match-up.
     On Sept. 7, the Eagles travel to Atlanta for their first-ever meeting with Morehouse College of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
     After an open week, NCCU plays Virginia State on Sept. 21 in its first home game of the season at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. The Eagles and Trojans have split the past four meetings. Last year's contest was cancelled as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
     On Sept. 28, NCCU will play Elizabeth City State, who the Eagles have defeated in five of the last six games. A location for this contest has not been determined. "We are exploring the possibility of playing this game in the Eastern part of the state," said NCCU Athletics Director Lin Dawson. Last year the Eagles defeated ECSU 31-21 in the "Down East Viking Classic" in Rocky Mount, NC.
     On Oct. 5, NCCU travels to Raleigh to rekindle a crosstown gridiron rivalry with Saint Augustine's. The Eagles and Falcons have not played since a 12-12 tie in 1965 (Oct. 9). In 23 meetings since 1924, NCCU has not suffered a defeat against St. Augustine's (22-0-1).
     In the final road game of the regular season, the Eagles travel to Fayetteville State, where NCCU has won three of the last four meetings at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium. 
     The Eagles then close out the campaign with four consecutive home games, starting with CIAA Western Division rival Winston-Salem State on Oct. 19. Since the Rams and Eagles first clashed in 1945, the series is tied at 18 games apiece.
     On Oct. 26, NCCU welcomes the defending CIAA Champion Virginia Union Panthers to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. Since adding VUU back on the schedule in 2000 after a five-year layoff, the Eagles have been unsuccessful in both attempts.
     On Nov. 2, NCCU celebrates Homecoming against Livingstone. The Eagles boast a 48-17-2 record on Homecoming since 1930. NCCU head coach Rudy Abrams, a 1964 graduate of Livingstone College, has been victorious in both contests against his alma mater in Durham.
     The Eagles wrap up their regular season at home against Johnson C. Smith on Nov. 9. NCCU has won 21 of the last 24 meetings with the Golden Bulls, including last year's 34-3 victory at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte. The Eagles lead the series 44-17-3 dating back to 1925.

Last Revised:  April 4, 2002