DURHAM, N.C.- The Savannah State defense intercepted five passes and held North Carolina Central to just 86 yards on the ground but it would not be enough as the Eagles posted a 33-3 win over SSU.

It was the first time since the 2004 season that a SSU team intercepted at least five passes in a game. That season, the Tigers picked off five passes against Coastal Carolina.

The 12,966 fans that filled O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium saw NCCU take a 19-0 lead into the half and cruise to a 30-point victory.

North Carolina Central led 26-0 after three quarters of play. Savannah State prevented a shutout with 8:30 left in the contest after a 46 yard field goal by John Barron.

The Eagles scored on their first possession of the game. NCCU drove from their own 19 to the Savannah State one before bogging down.

With their backs against the wall, the SSU defense stopped Malcolm Bell for no gain and did the same to Dorrel McClain on back-to-back runs to bring up fourth down. Brandon McLaren kicked a 21-yard field goal with 7:56 left in the first quarter for a 3-0 lead.

Both teams threw interceptions in the first quarter. SSU's Darrell Bonner intercepted a Malcolm Bell pass at the SSU 48with 6:06 left in the quarter and Central's Ronald Conyers picked off a Blake Dever pass at the NCCU 38 with 1:03 on the clock.

In the second quarter, Central drove to the SSU 36 but stalled. Nathaniel Tilque's punt landed at the Tigers one yard line to pin SSU deep in their own territory.

After a false start, Arshon Spaulding was sacked in the end zone for a safety which gave NCCU a 5-0 edge with 9:40 remaining.

The Tigers got to the NCCU 25 on their next drive but turned the ball over on downs when Spaulding was thrown for a two yard loss, on a fourth and one situation.

Central took over and marched 73 yards in seven plays as Bell scored on a seven yard run with 2:06 left. McLaren's extra point made the score 12-0.

On their next drive, NCCU needed just three plays to score as Bell tossed a 24 yard touchdown pass to Khalil Stinson with 57 seconds remaining, for a 19-0 cushion.

Savannah State's Marcus Lee picked off Bell on the Eagles opening possession of the second half but NCCU found the end zone on their second drive when Jalen Wilkes caught a 28 yard touchdown from Bell with 6:48 left in the quarter for a 26-0 lead.


On their final drive of the third quarter, Bell was picked off again, this time by SSU's David Crowley at the SSU 47.

SSU turned the ball over on downs when Nic Bentley was stopped for no gain on a fourth and one at the Eagles 44.

Central took over and advanced to the Tigers 35. Faced with a fourth and one, Marquis Smith sacked Bell for a eight yard loss and the Tigers took over.

Smith's sack led to the SSU only points of the game.

It took the Tigers just eight plays to score as Barron nailed a 46 yard field goal.

Key plays on the drive were a 19 yard reception by Derek Kirkland and a 17 yard run by TJ Bell.

Isaiah Bennett intercepted a Bell pass on the Eagles next possession at the SSU four and returned it 33 yards to the 37..

The Tigers offense could not move the ball and were forced to punt. Barron's punt went 42 yards and was fielded by Mike Jones at the NCCU 41. Jones then raced 59 yards for the final touchdown of the game with 5:43 remaining.

Savannah State had 141 yards of offense with 86 passing and 55 rushing.

Spaulding and Bentley both ran for 17 yards. T.J. Bell passed for 45 yards and Kirkland had four receptions for 52 yards. Bennett led the defense with 11 tackles and a interception while Smith was in on 10 tackles and had two sacks.

North Carolina Central had 422 yards of offense.

Malcolm Bell threw for 336 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 52 yards. Wilkes caught six passes for 105 yards and a score. The Eagles defense had six sacks and were led by Ja'Quan Smith and LeGrande Harley who had eight tackles apiece.

SSU falls to 1-4 over and 1-2 in the MEAC while NCCU improved to 5-2 overall and 4-0 in the MEAC.