I think this years NCCU team will be much different than what we saw last year. They have a new coach, an new offensive system, and a new QB. Not sure if they are better or worse, but I can say we are definitely better this year than we were a year ago. I think if we limit our turnovers, we will win this game.
They also lost their kicker, and it looks like their new kicker missed 3 FGs last week. That could be a big factor.
Here is a preview I posted in another thread:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/specialevents/previews/2014/conf/team.aspx?t=meac
- NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL EAGLES
LOCATION: Durham, North Carolina
STADIUM: O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium
COACH: Jerry Mack (first season)
LAST SEASON: 5-7 overall, 3-5 MEAC (Tie/8th)
STARTERS RETURNING: 14 (7 offense/7 defense)
BIG LOSSES:
QB Jordan Reid (137-for-274, 1,510 yards, 4 TD, 10 INT);
PK/P Oleg Parent (9-of-21 FG, 51 points; 43 punts, 41.5 ypp);
LB Tazmon Foster (144 TT, 11.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 QBH, 3 FF);
LB Allonte Tuppins (51 TT, 10 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 5 QBH, 1 FF);
LB Tiron Guion (44 TT, 2.5 TFL, 2 PBU, 2 FR, 2 FF)
OFFENSIVE STAR: WR/RS Adrian Wilkins, Jr. (37 receptions, 432 yards, 2 TD; 13.4-yard punt return average, 2 TD; 30.3-yard KO return average, 3 TD)
DEFENSIVE STAR: DB Michael Jones, So. (39 TT, 3.5 TFL, 4 INT, 8 PBU, 1 FR)
OTHER KEY PLAYERS:
QB Malcolm Bell, Jr. (30-for-77, 346 yards, 2 TD, 5 INT)
QB Quinn Billerman, Jr. (New Mexico Military Institute transfer)
RB Andre Clarke, Sr. (80 carries, 355 yards, 1 TD)
RB Idreis Augustus, Jr. (75 carries, 333 yards, 3 TD)
RB Deyonta Wright, Jr. (68 carries, 256 yards, 2 TD)
WR Jazz King, Sr. (Marshall transfer)
WR Quentin Atkinson, Jr. (Georgia Military College transfer)
WR DeMario Johnson, Sr.
TE Nathan Scruggs, Jr.
RT Christopher Pressley, Sr.
C Carl Jones, So.
LT Ty Gatson, So.
RG Clevonne Davis, So.
DE Ty Brown, Sr. (53 TT, 5.5 TFL, 5 PBU, 2 FF)
DE Felix Small, Sr. (48 TT, 8.5 TFL, 4 sacks)
DE Darius Spruill, So. (40 TT, 8.5 TFL, 2 QBH, 1 FF)
DE Richard Mitchell, Jr. (Holmes CC transfer)
DT Joshua Wade, Jr.
LB Demontray Ryland, Sr. (49 TT, 4.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 FR)
LB Jordan Miles, So. (55 TT, 3.5 TFL)
LB Tre Smith, So.
S C.J. Moore, Sr. (77 TT, 2 TFL, 2 INT, 5 PBU, 1 FR, 1 FF)
S Ryan Smith, Jr. (88 TT, 2 INT, 3 PBU, 3 FR, 1 FF, 1 BLK)
CB Hakiem Swann, So. (31 TT, 2 INT, 1 PBU, 1 FR)
PK Brandon McLaren, So.
OUTLOOK: At 33, Mack might look like a fifth-year senior as he takes on his first head coaching position. The youthful coach, who already has 10 years of experience, replaced Dwayne Foster, who served as interim coach last season. Mack will seek an impact from some transfers while he seeks discipline and consistency out of the Eagles, whose best season on the Division I level is six wins. QBs Bell and Billerman may both see time running the team’s new fast- paced, no-huddle offense after the Eagles ranked 119th in the FCS in total offense last season. They will want to get the ball to Wilkins, who not only caught 37 passes last season but had a nation’s-best five touchdowns on kickoff and punt returns. A strong secondary will anchor the defense as CB Jones is coming off a dynamite freshman secondary and Moore and Smith are take- charge safeties. The Eagles also are set at defensive end with the return of Brown and Small.
