Eagle running back Donnie Pippen breaks through Livingstone’s defensive line at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium. Pippen rushed for 122-yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles’ victory. (Photo: Rashaun Rucker/Echo Photo Editor

In front of a sell out Homecoming crowd of 10,208 screaming fans, the N.C. Central Eagles walked all over the Livingstone Blue Bears 30-8 at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium on Oct. 27.

The Eagles struggled to score a touchdown in the first quarter of the contest. Senior Roger Burbage put three points on the scoreboard with a 27- yard field goal with 1:52 left on the clock.

In the second quarter, senior running-back Cheo Johnson ran in from 17 yards out for an Eagle touchdown.

The NCCU drive started from their own 48-yard line in nine plays. Running back Donnie Pippen lit up the second half with two touchdowns for the Eagles in the third quarter. Pippen ran in from the five yard line to add six points with 6:34 left on the clock. Burbage added another point with a field goal to put the Eagles up 17-0.

Later in the third, Pippen scored again running in from the six yard line to make the score 24-0. Livingstone finally got on the board in the early part of the fourth quarter.

With 13:24 left on the clock, Blue Bear quarterback David Melton connected with Shannon Gainey from six-yards out. Living-stone then converted a two point conversion from Antoine Smith.

NCCU finished the onslaught when wide receiver Ryan Walden caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Sean Williams near the end of the game.

Offensively NCCU’s running backs ran the show. Donnie Pippen amassed 122 rushing yards, and senior Cheo Johnson completed the contest with 92 yards on the ground.

Defensively the Eagles’ Kurtis Stewart amassed seven tackles, five of which were solo.

Senior Ron Thomas, Jr. finished with one sack, six tackles, a blocked punt, two pass break-ups, and an interception.

NCCU combined for 334 rushing yards and 84 yards passing. Livingstone had 39 yards on the ground and 141 yards in the air.

The players of the game were NCCU’s Donnie Pippen and Livingstone’s Jason Ocean.

This was not only Homecoming, but also Senior Day: Alik Tillery, Ryan Walden, Erick Clark, Roger Burbage, RonThomas, Jr., Darrell Sanders, Cheo Johnson, Chris Gilmore, Kevin Bonsu, Choya Boykin, Curtis Johnson, Artis Woods, and Shawn Brooks completed their Collegiate careers at N.C. Central.