ATLANTA – North Carolina Central opened its 2025 campaign with authority Saturday night, dismantling Southern University 31-14 in the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium. The Eagles controlled both lines of scrimmage while showcasing a balanced offensive attack that accumulated 409 total yards.

Running back Chris Mosley delivered a breakout performance, rushing for a career-high 174 yards on 17 carries with one touchdown. His explosive 49-yard scoring run with 1:40 remaining in the first half proved to be the game's turning point, giving NCCU a 17-14 advantage it never relinquished.

"My big emphasis going into this game was start fast," Mosley said after earning game MVP honors. "We know we have weapons and a great O-line. Coming in this game, that was the main focus – just being electric, giving those guys energy."

The Eagles (1-0) established their ground game early, with three different backs finding the end zone. Arthur Rodgers Jr. punched in the game's first score from one yard out, capping a methodical 13-play, 80-yard opening drive that consumed over six minutes. Aleni Mageo added the final touchdown on a six-yard run late in the third quarter.

Quarterback Walker Harris managed the game efficiently, completing 19 of 24 passes for 183 yards and one touchdown – a three-yard strike to Kyle Morgan that extended the lead to 24-14 early in the third quarter. Harris also contributed 18 yards on the ground, including an 11-yard scramble that set up the opening score.

"Walker has always done a really good job of managing the game," head coach Trey Oliver said. "He has a strong arm and can place the ball. If the DB is here, Walker can put it on the outside shoulder."

The Eagles' offensive line, returning four starters, provided consistent protection and opened running lanes throughout the contest. NCCU averaged 6.2 yards per carry while controlling time of possession 35:06 to 24:54.

Defensively, linebacker Thomas Johnson anchored the effort with seven tackles, including two for loss, while forcing and recovering a fumble. The Eagles allowed Southern (0-1) to score on explosive plays early but adjusted at halftime to shut out the Jaguars over the final 31:57 of game time.

"We had to try to keep them from getting our safety in a one-on-one situation," Oliver explained of the halftime adjustments. "We started exchanging some gaps, moving the interior D-lineman to make the O-lineman think a little bit more."

Southern struck quickly on big plays, with Cam'Ron McCoy breaking loose for 69 yards to tie the game 7-7 in the first quarter, and Trey Holly answering NCCU's field goal with an 80-yard touchdown run that briefly gave the Jaguars a 14-10 lead.

But the Eagles responded immediately. Mosley took the ensuing kickoff return to midfield, then broke through the Southern defense untouched for his career-long scoring run just nine seconds later.

The victory marked NCCU's second consecutive MEAC/SWAC Challenge triumph and improved the MEAC's all-time record in the season opener to 12-7.

NCCU will host its home opener Saturday, August 30, when New Hampshire visits O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff on ESPN+.

Game Notes:

• NCCU outgained Southern 409-337 in total offense
• The Eagles converted 6 of 11 third-down attempts
• Kicker Kaleb Robison was perfect, connecting on a 24-yard field goal and all four extra points
• NCCU committed five penalties for 50 yards compared to Southern's seven for 43 yards
• Attendance was 16,191

ATLANTA — Georgia State (1-2) won a defensive battle in Atlanta, 20-9, Saturday night at Center Parc Stadium to hand Charlotte (2-1) its first loss of the football season in the 49ers' first road game.

"They made the plays they needed to make to win the game," head coach Will Healy said.  "Missed an opportunity.  Humbled, frustrated, but not deterred. The response for what happened tonight is going to be the most important part."

Charlotte took a 9-7 lead early in the second half after forcing a safety but the Panthers scored the final 13 points to come away with the victory.

Charlotte benefited from two big turnovers in building its lead but their own fumble in the red zone kept GSU within striking distance.

"We missed some opportunities," Healy reiterated. "Credit to them for making it hard on us. (Panther head coach) Shawn (Elliott) did an unbelievable job. They're  0-2 and their backs against the wall."

Chris Reynolds threw a touchdown pass for the eighth straight game to give the 49ers a 7-0 lead in the second quarter but Georgia State answered with its own TD to knot the score by halftime.

The 49ers' TD was set up when Charlotte graduate student safety Jon Alexander, a transfer from Kansas State, chased down Panthers running back Destin Coates and forced a fumble at the five-yard line to stop a Panthers scoring opportunity.

Charlotte responded on the next drive and converted a pair of fourth downs to extend the possession before Reynolds hit freshman Elijah Spencer with a 36-yard crossing TD for the first score of the game.  Kicker Jonathan Cruz connected on the point after, breaking the record for consecutive PAT's made with 47 straight.

GSU answered with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Darren Grainger to Jamari Thrash with 4:03 remaining in the half.

Charlotte's defense came up big again on the Panthers' first drive of the second half.  After a false start on third and one sent GSU back to its 14, a bad snap sent Grainger into the end zone, where he recovered the snap but threw wildly as Kofi Wardlow applied pressure.  The intentional grounding call resulted in a safety and gave Charlotte a 9-7 lead.

After Charlotte failed to convert on 4th down on the ensuing drive, the Panthers took their first lead, 13-9, on a 28-yard pass from Grainger to Ja'Cyais Credle.  DE Markees Watts blocked the PAT to keep Charlotte within four.

Charlotte drove into the red zone late in the third quarter but fumbled to turn the ball over to the Panthers.

Alexander thwarted another promising Panther drive with an INT at the 49ers' 17-yard line early in the 4th quarter but the 49ers were not able to capitalize.

The Panthers scored again in the closing minutes to ice the victory.

Charlotte will host Middle Tennessee in the 49ers' Conference USA opener, Friday at 6:30.