VIDEO Highlights & Postgame Interview with Coach Frazier
DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – With five sacks and three interceptions, including a pick returned for a touchdown, new North Carolina Central University head coach Henry Frazier III gave the defensive squad the victory in the Maroon vs. Gray Spring Football Game on Saturday afternoon at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
“I definitely thought the defense won,” said Frazier. “I thought we hit, I thought we played clean and played hard.
“The offense was able to get into the red zone three or four times, but we left some points off the board and the defense made the plays and got two red zone turnovers. I am an offensive guy, so it’s hard for me to give the nod to the defense, but they did play well.”
Sophomore defensive back Malik Cromartie was responsible for both red zone turnovers. The Elizabethtown, N.C. native saved a touchdown with his first pick by ripping the pigskin away from 6-4 receiver Jonathan Nicely as he was falling to the end zone turf. Cromartie’s second interception was also in the end zone off of a deflected pass.
The contest ended with an interception by redshirt freshman Jeremy Bellamy, who raced 41 yards for a touchdown.
Junior linebacker Brandon Outlaw led the maroon squad with six tackles, including a pair of sacks. Defensive back Tyrique Williams added four stops, while lineman Chase Tripp tallied three takedowns. Junior defensive back Fred Ominde contributed two tackles with a sack and a pass break-up.
Sophomore quarterback Jordan Reid executed 35 plays in three possessions in the first half, completing 9-of-13 passes for 108 yards with two interceptions. Junior signal caller Michael Johnson took 23 snaps in five series, completing 5-of-12 throws for 79 yards with an interception and a six-yard touchdown toss to sophomore receiver Earl Pridgen.
Sophomore tight end Joe Hutchinson topped the receiving corps with three catches for 23 yards. Redshirt freshman Stanley Wright amassed 69 receiving yards on two grabs, including a 52-yard connection from Johnson to set up the lone offensive score.
Leading the NCCU ground game was redshirt freshman Andre Clarke with 56 yards on six carries, including a 34-yard scamper. Sophomore Arthur Goforth ran six times for 21 yards and redshirt freshman Brexton Young recorded 20 yards on four rushes.
Overall, the offense amassed 271 yards on 54 plays, an average of five yards per snap, while converting 14 first downs in eight possessions.
“The foundation that we laid this spring is extremely solid,” said Frazier.
NCCU opens the 2011 season on Thursday, Sept. 1 at Rutgers University. The Eagles have five home games on the slate, with visits to O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium by Elon (Sept. 17), Savannah State (Sept. 24), Morgan State (Oct. 15), Bethune-Cookman (Oct. 29 – Homecoming) and Florida A&M (Nov. 12).
Season tickets are now on sale for $130. To purchase tickets, call the NCCU Ticket Office at (919) 530-5170.
STATISTICS
Passing:
#8 Jordan Reid – 9-of-13, 108 yards, 2 interceptions, long of 21 yards
#15 Michael Johnson – 5-of-12, 79 yards, 1 interception, touchdown (6 yards), long of 52 yards
Rushing Leaders:
#20 Andre Clarke – 6 rushes, 56 yards, long of 34 yards
#22 Arthur Goforth – 6 rushes, 21 yards, long of 11 yards
#32 Brexton Young – 4 rushes, 20 yards
Receiving Leaders:
#86 Joe Hutchinson – 3 catches, 23 yards
#17 Stanley Wright – 2 catches, 69 yards, long of 52 yards
#14 Demario Lackey – 2 catches, 25 yards
#7 Jonathan Nicely – 2 catches, 22 yards
#80 Marvin Poole – 1 catch, 21 yards
#5 Geovonie Irvine – 1 catch, 11 yards
#84 Earl Pridgen – 1 catch, 6 yards, touchdown
Defensive Leaders:
#45 Brandon Outlaw – 6 tackles, 2 sacks
#19 Tyrique Williams – 4 tackles
#91 Chase Tripp – 3 tackles
#3 Fred Ominde – 2 tackles, sack, pass break-up
#28 Brian Frierson – 2 tackles, pass break-up
#32 Malik Cromartie – 2 interceptions (both in end zone)
#36 Jeremy Bellamy – interception returned 41 yards for touchdown (last play of game)
Team:
Passing – 14-of-25, 187 yards, 3 interceptions, touchdown
Rushing – 29 rushes, 84 yards
Total Offense – 54 plays, 271 yards
First Downs – 14 first downs in 8 possessions
Defense – 5 sacks, 3 interceptions (TD), 2 pass break-ups
