NC Central Survives Scare From St. Aug

St. Augustine’s traveled west on I-40 with intentions on shocking the HBCU football world and beating North Carolina Central at home. SAU gave NCCU all it could handle for much of the afternoon, but special teams miscues and an interception helped NCCU pull out a 23-20 double overtime win in it’s home debut.

#NCCU preps pic.twitter.com/OgtxTswED1
— HBCU Gameday (@HBCUGameday) September 7, 2013

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Both teams struggled offensively through the first three quarters before combining for over 30 points in the fourth quarter and two overtimes. St. Aug led 7-6 entering the fourth quarter, and took a 13-6 when AJ Guilford hit Brian Richards for a six yard touchdown.

The ensuing events had a tremendous impact on the outcome of the game. Instead of kicking the PAT for an eight point lead with 6:18 remaining in the fourth, St. Aug opted to go for a two-point conversion, which was called back. SAU kicker Michael Lima drilled the PAT, but an illegal procedure call forced SAU back and the fumbled snap meant NCCU needed just a touchdown and PAT to win.

NCCU got that score when quarterback Jordan Reid found Adrian Wilkins for a score from two yards out, and Greg Parent’s PAT tied the game at 13 with just 21 seconds remaining.

St. Aug struck first in the OT as Guilford connected with Jermaine Jones for a 25 yard touchdown, his third of the game, giving his team a 20-13 lead. NCCU answered with a touchdown of its own, this time coming via the legs of quarterback Jordan Reid. Reid stepped out of the pocket and into the endzone from four yards out and the PAT tied the game at 20.

On the ensuing drive, it was the NCCU defense that stepped up, as Michael Jones picked off Guilford and returned the ball 80 yards, nearly ending the game with a score. SAU’s defense stopped NCCU inside the five yard line, but Parent connected on a 19 yard field goal to keep NCCU from losing to D2 St. Aug’s and starting 0-2.

NCCU Player Of The Game: Jordan Reid

Jordan Reid with the rushing touchdown. NCCU has tied it up at 20. Headed to a second overtime
— Joey Football (@joesimtre) September 7, 2013

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js The redshirt senior struggled early in the game, but he came through with a clutch touchdown drive to tie the game, and his legs kept NCCU in the game when St. Aug seemed to have seized momentum. He completed 23 of 43 passes for 253 yards and two touchdown.

SAU Player of The Game: AJ Guilford

Gilford played well in his first game as St. Aug’s starter. He managed the game pretty well all day until Jones picked off the pass. He competed 19 of 40 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns. The future looks bright for the sophomore.