North Carolina Central University

FOOTBALL

     PITTSBURG, Kan. - Three North Carolina Central University Eagles - senior running back Greg Pruitt, Jr., senior center Robert Duncan and junior kicker Brandon Gilbert - have been selected to the 2006 Don Hansen's Football Gazette Preseason NCAA Division II All-America Team.
     Pruitt (5-10, 200, Cleveland, Ohio) returns for his senior campaign with sights on breaking the school's all-time career rushing record. Pruitt, who is 566 yards away from breaking Joe Simmons'
record of 2,840 rushing yards set from 1990-93, is the only running back in Eagle history to post back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Last year, Pruitt led the team in total touchdowns with 10 and in rushing yards with 1,172 (97.7 per game average).
     Duncan (Sr., 6-0, 255, Winston-Salem, N.C.), an All-CIAA First Team and First Team All-Region selection in 2005, was also recognized on the 2006 Street & Smith's Division II All-America Team as one of only four offensive linemen. He snapped every offensive play in the final 11 games during the Eagles' record-breaking season a year ago, while anchoring the No. 1 scoring offense (30.8 avg.) in the conference.
     Gilbert (Jr., 5-10, 165, Graham, N.C.), an All-CIAA First Team and First Team All-Region pick in 2005, led the conference in field goals (16-21), field goal percentage (76.2), PAT percentage (97.7), and scoring by a kicker with 90 points, while also ranking sixth nationally in field goals per game (1.3). He broke three school records during his sophomore season, including single-season field goals (16), single-season extra-point kicks (42) and single-game extra-point kicks (10 vs. Edward Waters on Aug. 27). Gilbert was also voted as the 2005 CIAA Championship Game Most Valuable Player after making four field goals, including a career-long 47-yard kick and the game-winning boot with three seconds remaining.
     A total of 148 players representing all four geographic regions of NCAA Division II were named to the 2006 Football Gazette Preseason All-America Team.
     This marks the 19th year Don Hansen's Football Gazette, a recognized authority on small college
football, has selected NCAA Division II All-America and Preseason All-America teams.
    NCCU opens its schedule by hosting the defending Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) champions Albany State University on Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. 
     In 2005, NCCU captured the first CIAA football championship in 25 years, won 10 games for the first time in school history, and finished as the No. 2 ranked team in the Southeast Region. 
 

Greg Pruitt, Jr.

Robert Duncan

Brandon Gilbert