Local / Spartan Men

Bell has 273 yards, NC Central holds off Norfolk St. 34-31

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Malcolm Bell accounted for 273 yards total offense and two touchdowns as North Carolina Central held off Norfolk State 34-31 on Saturday.

Bell, who finished with 196 passing yards and 77 yards rushing, surpassed the 1,000-yard career rushing mark to become the only Eagle to run for more than 1,000 yards while throwing for over 4,000 yards in a career. The senior from Richmond, Va. needed just 24 yards to hit the 1,000-yard rushing mark. He has thrown for 4,658 yards and rushed for 1,053 yards in his career.

Romone Simpson rushed for 97 yards and grabbed five passes for 49 yards for NCCU (2-2, 1-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic).

Trailing 34-23 late in the final quarter, Norfolk State (1-3, 0-1) made a late charge when Greg Hankerson hit Marcus Taylor on a 25-yard scoring strike and then completed the 2-point try to trail 34-31 with 1:41 remaining. NCCU recovered the ensuing onside kick.

 

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