NCCU's Football Schedule has new look in 2004

DURHAM, NC -- North Carolina Central University has announced its football schedule for the 2004 gridiron campaign, and it contains several new twists.

For the first time since 1993 and only the second time since 1988, the Eagles will open the season with an opponent other than North Carolina A&T.

For the first time since 1990, NCCU will play someone other than Livingstone or Johnson C. Smith for Homecoming. Also, the Eagles will face Bowie State for the first time in the new millennium.

NCCU will kickoff its 2004 football slate with a home game on Aug. 28 versus Johnson C. Smith University at 6 p.m. This snaps a 10-year streak of season-opening games against North Carolina A&T, dating back to a home victory over Bowie State on Sept. 4, 1993.

On Sunday, Sept. 5, NCCU will face Division I-AA rival North Carolina A&T State University in the 11th annual "Eagle-Aggie Classic" at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC, starting at 4 p.m.

The Eagles will challenge their second consecutive Division I-AA foe on Sept. 11, when they travel to Delaware State University for a 1 p.m. contest at Alumni Stadium. NCCU is riding a three-game win streak against the Hornets dating back to 1979, the Eagles' last season in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

On Sept. 18, NCCU hosts Bowie State University at 6 p.m. for the first gridiron meeting with the Bulldogs since an overtime loss in Maryland on Oct. 23, 1999. The Eagles have lost the last three match-ups in the series.

NCCU hosts "Eagles in the East" in Kinston, NC, on Sept. 25 against Elizabeth City State University at 4 p.m. The Eagles lead the series 16-8, but the two teams have split the last four meetings.

On Oct. 2, the Eagles journey to Roanoke, VA, to play Saint Augustine's College. The Falcons defeated NCCU for the first time in the 25-game series last year in Durham.

The Eagles take on two-time defending CIAA Champion Fayetteville State University on Oct. 9 at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium in Fayetteville starting at 7 p.m. The Broncos have won three consecutive games over NCCU.

NCCU returns to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium on Oct. 16 to play Winston-Salem State University at 6 p.m. The Eagles will be looking to snap a six-game losing skid to the Rams.

On Oct. 23, NCCU travels to Salisbury, NC, to play Livingstone College at 2 p.m. as the Blue Bears host Homecoming. This will be the Eagles first road game against Livingstone since 2000.

NCCU celebrates Homecoming on Oct. 30 versus Virginia State University with a 1 p.m. kickoff. The Trojans and Eagles have split the last six meetings.

On Nov. 6, NCCU will host the CIAA Football Championship Game for the third time since 2000. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m