BY JOE JOHNSON

jjohnson@heraldsun.com; 419-6667

DURHAM -- Confidence was an ingredient in short supply when N.C. Central opened its season at Hampton two months ago. And then for the next five weeks the Eagles played with only a taste of it. They knew they could play, but they weren't playing with the confidence they needed.

Since beating Central Methodist three weeks ago, then having a week to temper the relief of finally winning a game, and smacking Central State (Ohio) around in the last outing, the Eagles are brimming with confidence as they prepare for Old Dominion on Saturday.

"We're going to have confidence now after winning two ballgames," NCCU coach Mose Rison said. "I'm proud of the progress we have made."

The players can feel it, too.

Cornerback David Ingram said he can sense a difference in the team now that they've won back-to-back games.

"Winning these two games has really been a confidence builder," Ingram said. "We feel like we can win any game now."

Game experience is a factor in this transformation. Going into the season Rison said he felt pretty good about the way his defense would play, and for the most part, it has delivered. Offensively, the struggles the Eagles went through can be traced back to a new starting quarterback in Micahel Johnson and a rebuilt offensive line. There were flashes of brilliance for the offense early on but it wasn't performing as consistently as Rison wanted. Now it seems to be.

"It's pleasing to see our team playing it's most solid game so far," Rison said. "Offensively and defensively we played as well as we had all year. You could see the improvement because we've had consistency on the offensive line. That has helped Michael and I'm pleased with the way Michael has played."

Rison said he knows better what to expect from his team when they hit the road to take on the Monarchs, who are in their first year of football.

"[Traveling] is not going to affect us like it did to start," Rison said. "We know it's going to be a tough game. They're 7-2 and they've beaten some pretty good people."

Rison compared Old Dominion's start to the season his Eagles had in his first year. NCCU used some early-season wins to build confidence before taking on some tougher opponents in order to gauge progress. Old Dominion has done the same thing, according to Rison.

"They're building a program and we're in transition from Division II to Division I," Rison said.

NCCU should be completely healthy against Old Dominion. Rison said his team has been fortunate so far with the small number of injuries suffered by his players. So far the only key contributors to miss game action have been wide receiver Will Scott and free safety Jeffery Henderson, who each missed NCCU's game against Central Methodist. Both came back and played well against Central State. Will Scott caught six passes for 121 yards, including two touchdowns, while Henderson helped NCCU hold the Marauders to only 161 passing yards.