Campus Echo Online: Sports

When the clock struck zero on a cloudy Homecoming day, N.C. Central alumni could wipe the sweat from their foreheads, knowing that the Eagles had just squeaked by Johnson C. Smith, 36-32, Nov. 4 at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

NCCU fended off the Golden Bulls’ 21-point comeback, going down to the wire before JCSU quarterback Desmond Brown’s pass sailed over the head of his intended receiver and into the hands of the Eagles’ Hassan Smith. It only took two snaps for Darrell Nesbitt kneeled down on two plays to close out the game.

The Eagles gained 252 yards rushing, 205 by Sakwana Dickens. Alik Tillery, finishing with 12 tackles, including a sack.

NCCU’s David Pratt (92) and Joe Sanders (65) cheer on teammates from the sidelines.
Rashaun Rucker/Echo Photo Editor

The Golden Bulls had their bright spots as well. The Golden Bulls were led in rushing by Jimmy Bell’s 101 yards and two touchdowns. JCSU’s defense was led by Robert McDaniel’s 12 tackles and two sacks.

The Eagles jumped out to a 21-0 lead, after Warren Bell, now a wide receiver caught a touchdown pass from Nesbitt.

The Eagles would build off of the momentum in less than seven minutes when Donnie Pippen rushed for an 18-yard touchdown. Jamal Molden’s extra-point attempt was no good, as the Eagles led 13-0 after the first quarter.

Pippen rushed in for another touchdown with 11 minutes remaining in the half. After a two-point conversion by Nesbitt 21-0 lead in the second quarter.

Above: NCCU running back Donnie Pippen (7) tries to break away from Johnson C. Smith’s Albert Layton (22) during the Eagles 36-32 Homecoming victory at O’Kelly-Riddick
Stadium Nov 4.
Rashaun Rucker/ Echo Photo Editor

The Golden Bulls stormed back with 21 unanswered points.

William Harris rush in from one yard out to cut the lead to 21-7, after Jimmy Bell’s extra-point attempt sailed through the goal posts.

Nesbitt’s pass attempt was intercepted by Craig Brown and returned to the NCCU 11-yard line. Three plays later, JCSU’s Desmond Brown completed a 10-yard strike to Jahmad Woods for a touchdown. The extra-point attempt was good, and the score was cut to 21-14.

The Golden Bulls recovered an onside kick at the NCCU 46-yard line.

In the next 44 seconds, JCSU’s Desmond Brown’s short yardage touchdown run cut the Eagles lead to 21-20, at the half.

JCSU started the second half in the same fashion they ended the first — with a touchdown.

Bell rushed in from five yards out to give the Golden Bulls their first lead of the contest. The two-point conversion was no good, and they led 26-21.

Behind the running of Dickens, playing in his last game, the Eagles marched down to the Golden Bulls’ 3-yard line. Pippen finished off the drive with a touchdown run from 3 yards out. After another Nesbitt two-point conversion run, NCCU regained the lead 29-26.

The Eagles added to their lead with a 59-yard fumble recovery by junior linebacker Chris Gilmore giving them a 36-26 lead. Gilmore returned to the gridiron after a two-week hiatus due to a knee injury — to record the first touchdown of his career.

JCSU’s Bell rushed for another touchdown late in the game, but it was just too little, too late for the Golden Bulls.

The Eagles finish their 2000 season with a 4-6 record.

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