Johnson throws 2 touchdowns as North Carolina Central beats Central State 53-22

North Carolina Central beats Central State 53-22

DURHAM, N.C. — Michael Johnson passed for two touchdowns and ran for another, and North Carolina Central beat Central State (Ohio) 53-22 on Saturday.

Johnson opened the scoring for the Eagles (2-6) on a 16-yard run. He also went 14-for-25 for 246 yards.

Johnson threw touchdown passes of 28 and 18 yards to Will Scott, who had six catches for 121 yards. Tim Shankle led the Eagles with 88 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

The Eagles intercepted Marauders quarterback Jeff Brooks four times and held them to 37 yards rushing on 27 attempts.

The Marauders (1-8) were led by Joshua Anderson, who had 40 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

A Football Championship Subdivision independent, the Eagles have won two games in a row. Both wins, by a combined score of 105-29, have come against NCAA Division II teams. Three of the Eagles’ losses have come by seven points or less.