DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central junior cornerback Bryan Mills collected three interceptions, including two on throws to the end zone to prevent touchdowns, while adding two solo tackles during the Eagles' 27-17 conference victory over Morgan State on Saturday.
 
His school-record-tying performance has earned Mills multiple weekly awards, including the BOXTOROW National Player of the Week and the STATS FCS National Defensive Player of the Week honors.
 
The Palmdale, Calif., native is the first Eagle to tally three interceptions in a game since 1996, when Adrian Jones (now head football coach at Shaw University) matched the school record against Elizabeth City State. Other Eagles to accomplish the feat are Robert Massey (1986 vs. Saint Paul's/now interim head football coach at Winston-Salem State) and Melvin Wallace (1985 vs. Fayetteville State).
 
"It felt amazing," Mills said after the conference road victory. "I was in my zone… I was feeling it. Hard work does pay off."
 
A 6-2, 170-pound transfer from College of the Canyons (Santa Clarita, Calif.), Mills tops the MEAC and is tied for second among NCAA Division I-FCS leaders with three interceptions this season. He is also tied atop the conference leaders with six passes defended (3 interceptions, 3 pass break-ups), and has made 10 tackles (9 solo) in his first season at NCCU.
 
"He's such a great athlete," NCCU head football coach Trei Oliver said. "He's long, very athletic and has great ball skills. And when you are in great position, like he was, you have to take advantage of it."