DURHAM, N.C. — Norfolk State gained a season-high 406 yards of total offense, but couldn't overcome three turnovers and several special teams miscues in a 24-13 loss to host North Carolina Central on Saturday at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

The Spartans (3-8, 3-4 MEAC) missed an extra point and three field goals, including a blocked kick that led to the game-clinching score for the Eagles (5-6, 3-4).

Trailing 17-13, the Spartans caught a break early in the fourth quarter when NCCU punt returner Adrian Wilkins muffed a punt that NSU defensive back Donte' Haynesworth recovered at the Eagles' 22. The ensuing NSU drive stalled, and Cameron Marouf lined up for a 29-yard field goal that would have brought the Spartans within a point. But Sayyid Muhammad got penetration up the middle and blocked the field goal, his team's second blocked kick of the day. Teammate C.J. Moore scooped up the loose ball and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown that pushed the Eagles' lead to 24-13. The Eagle defense made that stand up for the final score.

The Spartans moved the ball well much of the day, but had trouble converting. NSU got its first good scoring opportunity after a Darrin Marrow interception set the Spartans up at the Eagles' 44. But the drive stalled, and Marouf was short on a 47-yard field goal attempt.

After the missed field goal, the Eagles drove 70 yards in 12 plays to score the game's first points. Quarterback Jordan Reid capped the possession by leaping over the line of scrimmage on a 1-yard TD on 4th-and-goal.

The Spartans wasted little time tying the game. After an Eagle pass interference call on first down, Tyler Clark completed passes of 11 yards to Derrick Demps and 13 yards to Je'Ron Stokes. On the following play, Rolandan Finch took a delayed handoff, made one man miss and sprinted into the end zone on a 42-yard touchdown run to tie the game. The run also put Finch over 1,000 yards for the year.

The Spartans took their first lead of the game on Clark's 4-yard TD pass to DeAndre Sangster with 3:30 left in the second quarter. But Marouf's extra point was wide right, keeping the NSU lead at 13-7.

But this time the Eagles had the answer, driving 70 yards for their next score. A 40-yard completion from Reid to Tyron Harris set the Eagles up at the NSU 3, and Andre Clarke scored on a 3-yard run on the following play. Oleg Parent's PAT gave NCCU a 14-13 lead. NSU's last-minute drive before the half ended when Clark's Hail Mary pass into the end zone was intercepted by Moore.

NSU got the ball to start the third quarter, but Finch fumbled on the third play of the Spartans' possession, and Hakiem Swann recovered for the Eagles. That led to a 25-yard field goal by Parent that pushed the Eagles' lead to 17-13 with 10:08 remaining in the quarter.

For the game, the Spartans had a punt blocked, missed three field goals (including the block) and also missed an extra point. The Spartans also had three turnovers and committed 10 penalties for 88 yards.

Finch finished the game with 18 carries for 90 yards and a score. He now has 1,033 yards on the year. Finch became the first Spartan player to top the 1,000-yard mark since all-time leading rusher DeAngelo Branche did so in 2010. Finch is the seventh player in school history and fourth in the Division I era to accomplish the feat.

The Spartans passed for a season-high 260 yards. Clark was 19-of-31 for 146 yards with one TD and two interceptions. Clark, who is also the team's holder, left the game with an injury suffered on the fourth-quarter blocked field goal. Malik Stokes came off the bench to complete 9-of-13 passes for 114 yards in the final quarter.

Tight end Joseph Hawkins made five catches for 77 yards and Demps had a season-best four catches. Ten different Spartans had receptions.

Lynden Trail had a team and season-high 11 tackles for the NSU defense, which allowed just 266 yards of offense. He added a sack and also blocked a field goal. Deon King had two tackles for loss and a sack, and also recovered a fumble.

Moore had a game-high 12 tackles for NCCU. Clarke led the Eagle offense with 20 carries for 93 yards.

The Spartans conclude their 2013 season next Saturday at home against South Carolina State. Kickoff for Military Appreciation Day and Senior Day is 1 p.m. at Dick Price Stadium.