North Carolina Central University

FOOTBALL

(April 24, 1999)
 

New Look NCCU Offense Controls Defense in Spring Scrimmage

    DURHAM, NC -- Under new head coach and offensive coordinator Rudy Abrams, the North Carolina Central University offense controlled the pace of the 1999 Spring football scrimmage with a steady diet of running plays mixed in with an occasional pass.
    "I am pleased with the way we played today," Abrams said.  "We have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go."
    Junior Durant McCathern took a majority of snaps from center with last year's starting quarterback Warren Bell missing the entire spring practice with a lingering back injury from basketball season.  McCathern completed 2-of-7 pass attempts for 33 yards, while dazzling more than 100 Eagle fans by rushing for all of NCCU's three touchdowns, including a 62-yard scamper.
    "We have found a quarterback that we are real comfortable with," Abrams said about McCathern.  "He is an explosive player with great potential."
    The Eagle defense, topped by senior linebacker Anthony Connally and senior safety Maurice Blanding, collected four sacks, two pass break-ups and a fumble recovery.  Connally and Blanding each recorded seven tackles and a sack.
    Fifty-nine players dressed for the annual inner-squad scrimmage, including 26 on offense and 33 on defense.  Abrams and his staff will adjust that number in the coming months.  "We are in the process of evaluating the players," Abrams said.  "We need to get the numbers down to the guys that can help us."
    Those who remain will report the football camp Sunday, Aug. 8, with the first day of practice tentatively scheduled for Monday, Aug. 9.
    "The enthusiasm is there, and they are willing to learn," Abrams added.  "But we need to get mentally tougher and learn not to make mistakes when we get tired.  We have some real good talent ... we just don't have enough of them."
 

Last Revised:  April 24, 1999