BY ROBERT FURGES | NCCU Athletics Strategic Communications Intern
DURHAM – The North Carolina Central University Eagles defeated the Campbell University Camels, 49-48, in come-from-behind fashion in overtime. The victory came down to a made PAT by NCCU senior Adrian Olivo in an ecstatic O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium on Saturday night.
NCCU senior quarterback Davius Richard (Belle Glade, Fla.) finished Saturday’s game 21-of-34 with a passing touchdown and four rushing touchdowns.
The stellar game on the ground broke the NCCU career rushing touchdown record (33) and tied the single-game rushing record (4). The last time an Eagle scored four touchdowns in a contest was in 1999.
NCCU responded to Campbell’s first drive score with its own first drive score. Richard found junior wide receiver Devin Smith for a 51-yard pass that soon set up a 5-yard rush by Richard to tie the game early in the first quarter.
Before the half ended, the Eagles’ defense came up big with an interception returned by sophomore cornerback Jason Chambers to the Campbell 26-yard line.
NCCU capitalized on the turnover caused by Chambers with Richard’s third rushing touchdown of the half, which broke the NCCU career rushing touchdown record.
The goal line score cut the NCCU deficit to 35-21 heading into halftime.
The Eagles outscored the Camels 21-7 after trailing in the second half of regulation. The Camels had a 35-14 lead in the second quarter.
Richard, sophomore tight end Luke Bracey, and senior running back Latrell Collier found the end zone in the second half.
Sophomore linebacker Jayden Flaker led NCCU with 15 tackles and made a big stop in the third quarter that propelled the Eagles’ offense to great field position. The tackle made by Flaker led to the game-tying connection between Richard and Bracey.
NCCU’s special teams came up with a blocked PAT in overtime, as senior defensive tackle Karfa Kaba was able to get his hands on the kick, providing the Eagles with a chance to close the game out with a touchdown and made PAT.
Olivo missed from 34 yards out on the final play of regulation. A 25-yard rushing touchdown by Collier gave Olivo the opportunity to close the win for the Eagles with a converted PAT.
With the victory, NCCU (4-1) extends its home game win streak to eight and will visit Elon University on Oct. 7 at 2 p.m.
