DURHAM, N.C. (AP) Walker Harris threw for 265 yards and three touchdowns and North Carolina Central held off Norfolk State for a 31-28 win on Saturday.
Norfolk State turned it over on downs on its final drive and NCCU ran out the time.
NCCU (7-3, 2-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) took the lead for good near the end of the first quarter when Harris threw a 33-yard touchdown to Mehki Wall for a 10-7 lead.
Near the midway point of the second, Harris threw a 5-yard score to Chauncey Spikes for a 17-7 advantage. Following an NCCU field goal six minutes into the third, the Spartans reduced their deficit to 20-14 when Otto Kuhns threw a 17-yard touchdown to Kam'Ryn Thomas with 5:12 left in the third.
Harris threw a 3-yard touchdown to Spikes, and the two-point conversion made it 28-14 to start the fourth.
Reserve Vinson Berry relieved Kuhns and threw an 18-yard touchdown to Thomas to reduce the Spartans deficit to 28-21.
Kaleb Robinson made it 31-21 for NCC with a 48-yard field goal.
The game's final score came when Berry threw a 15-yard touchdown to DreSean Kendrick.
Kevon King ran for 149 yards on eight carries for the Spartans.
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