Darryl BazemoreThe N.C. Central University Eagles clobbered the Shaw University Bears 41-0 in the Prince Hall Shriners Diabetes Classic last Saturday.
The game, which was also the Eagles’ first home game of the season, saw the Eagles manage a total of 393 offensive yards while holding Shaw to only 156 yards. The closest the Bears got to the end zone was the NCCU 42-yard line.
Two standout players were senior defensive end Antonio Brown with six tackles and two sacks and redshirt junior Davanta Reynolds with seven takedowns and one interception.
“We won, but there are definitely some improvements we can make as a team to fix the penalties,” said Reynolds after the game. “As an older guy, I’m proud of the younger guys that stepped up today.”
Redshirt freshman running back Isaiah Totten also had a successful game, rushing for a game-high 81 yards with two touchdown runs.
Totten said that he was happy for the win but focused on improving for the season ahead.
“Being a redshirt last year I was able to learn the craft,” Totten said. “This year I am able to just grow and improve my confidence with the more reps I take.”
NCCU switched quarterbacks in the fourth quarter and brought in freshman Chauncey Caldwell, who ran for 63 yards with a 13-yard score and completed a 14-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver David Miller. Caldwell completed all five of his passes for 47 yards total.
When asked about his motivation, Caldwell said that he wants “to go in the game and execute the game plan for Coach (Jerry Mack). He always expressed to me to be ready for the opportunity to perform.”
Like Totten, Coach Mack seemed happy for the win but was focused on improving performance for future games.
“The penalties early in the second quarter delayed our plays, but we were able to change our rhythm once we changed our quarterbacks with Chauncey Caldwell,” Mack explained. “Going forward, I believe we will improve on our mistakes and execute our plays better.”
NCCU has a bye week before returning for a Thursday night home game against South Carolina State University on September 21.
