A strong first half, a career day from running back Plez Lawrence, and a late defensive stand helped the North Carolina Central University football program win the 98th annual Aggie-Eagle Classic on Saturday at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium, as the Eagles defeated North Carolina A&T 30-22.
The Eagles improved to 2-1 on the season. Head coach Trei Oliver is now three wins shy of 50 for his head coaching career.
- Box Score
In the closing seconds, the Aggies marched all the way to the NCCU 3-yard line, threatening for a score that would’ve tied the game with a two-point conversion. But an offensive pass interference penalty pushed NCAT back to the 18-yard line, and on the next play, Jakarri Martin II intercepted Aggies quarterback Kevin White to clinch the game.
The Eagles scored on the game’s opening drive, using just eight plays to go 75 yards before Nelson Layne connected with Mehki Wall for a 27-yard touchdown. NCCU then added three more on the next drive, taking a 10-0 lead after freshman kicker Riley Daniels nailed a 37-yard field goal with 5:04 left in the first quarter…