DURHAM – Campbell spent much of Saturday night building a lead at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. North Carolina Central spent the third quarter erasing it.

Then, with the game tied and the rain continuing to fall, the Fighting Camels found one final answer.

Kamden Sixkiller connected with Jyron Waiters for a nine-yard touchdown with 7:28 remaining, breaking a 31-31 tie and lifting No. 18/24 Campbell to a 38-31 victory over NC Central.

The win improved Campbell to 5-1, while Central fell to 2-4.

The night began about as well as the Eagles could have hoped.

On Campbell's opening possession, Sixkiller was intercepted by Cameron Williams, who returned the ball 19 yards. One play later, Nelson Layne raced 16 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 Central lead.

Campbell answered with Sixkiller's one-yard touchdown run, but Layne struck again, scoring from three yards out to put NCCU back ahead 14-7.

From there, the first quarter belonged to Campbell.

DeJuan Thomas broke loose for a 32-yard touchdown to tie the game, Alex Crabb connected on a 41-yard field goal and JJ Cowan scored from three yards out with 38 seconds remaining. The Camels emerged from a frantic opening quarter with a 24-14 advantage.

Thomas added his second touchdown, a four-yard run, early in the second quarter to stretch Campbell's run to 24 unanswered points and the lead to 31-14.

Central found a spark before halftime after turning to Cobey Thompkins at quarterback. Thompkins completed all four of his passes for 70 yards on the drive, including a 23-yard touchdown to Tristan Stitt with 2:28 remaining, sending the Eagles to the locker room trailing 31-21.

Then the game changed again.

Central controlled the third quarter while Campbell's offense went scoreless. Riley Daniels' 47-yard field goal cut the deficit to seven before Zion Dobson ripped off a 62-yard touchdown run with 6:31 remaining in the quarter.

In less than nine minutes, the Eagles had erased Campbell's 10-point halftime advantage and tied the game at 31.

Campbell finally regained control in the fourth.

Sixkiller directed an 11-play, 56-yard drive before finding Waiters for the nine-yard go-ahead touchdown with 7:28 remaining. The Camels' defense made the lead stand, including a fourth-down stop of Layne on a quarterback keeper during Central's fourth-quarter attempt to regain the advantage.

For a Campbell offense that entered the game with Sixkiller among the nation's most productive passers, it was the ground game that did much of the damage.

The Camels rushed for 262 yards and four touchdowns. Cowan carried 14 times for 139 yards, including a 66-yard run, while Thomas added 89 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Sixkiller finished 18-of-35 for 226 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Central countered with 160 rushing yards, led by Dobson's 80 yards on 13 carries and Layne's 59 yards and two touchdowns. Chance Peterson caught 10 passes for 84 yards, while Stitt finished with three receptions for 58 yards and a score.

Campbell finished with 488 yards of offense to Central's 359 and held a 262-160 advantage on the ground. The Camels also possessed the ball for 32:02. Both teams converted 7-of-14 third downs.

The Eagles had done the difficult part, wiping away a 17-point deficit and turning what had threatened to become a Campbell runaway into a fourth-quarter tie.

But after Central scored 17 unanswered points, Campbell produced the game's final answer.

Sixkiller found Waiters, the defense held, and the nationally ranked Camels left Durham with their fifth victory of the season.

BOILING SPRINGS – NC Central erased an early 10-point deficit and pulled within four early in the second half, but Gardner-Webb controlled the rest of the night to earn a 44-20 victory Saturday at Spangler Stadium.

The Eagles trailed 10-0 after the first quarter before battling back to tie the game at 17 late in the second. Gardner-Webb answered with a touchdown just before halftime, then outscored NC Central 20-3 after the break. The loss dropped NCCU to 2-2, while Gardner-Webb improved to 1-3. 

Gardner-Webb finished with 445 yards of offense compared with 218 for NC Central and held a 23-10 advantage in first downs. The Runnin' Bulldogs also possessed the ball for more than 35 minutes. 

Gardner-Webb opened the scoring with Tyler Simpson's 27-yard field goal before taking advantage of an NCCU turnover. Nelson Layne was sacked and fumbled at his own 17, setting up a short drive that Zalen Watkins finished with a one-yard touchdown for a 10-0 lead. 

The Eagles responded in the second quarter.

Layne connected with Tyree Saunders for 41 yards before Zion Dobson scored on an 11-yard run to cut the deficit to 10-7. Gardner-Webb answered with Randy Young's 14-yard touchdown run, but NCCU came right back. Layne hit Chance Peterson for 35 yards and Plez Lawrence followed with runs of 14 and two yards, the latter pulling the Eagles within 17-14.  

A 38-yard punt return by Gerald Lawton III, coupled with a Gardner-Webb penalty, then gave NCCU the ball at the Bulldogs' 21. Riley Daniels converted a 32-yard field goal to tie the game at 17 with 1:46 left in the half.

But Gardner-Webb needed only 85 seconds to retake control.

Cole Pennington led the Bulldogs 75 yards, converting a fourth-and-one along the way before finding Sean Brady for a 30-yard touchdown with 21 seconds remaining. Gardner-Webb carried a 24-17 advantage into halftime. 

NC Central opened the second half with good field position and pulled within 24-20 on another 32-yard Daniels field goal. That proved to be the Eagles' final points.

Pennington immediately answered with a nine-play, 65-yard drive, connecting with Joey Shearin for a one-yard touchdown to make it 31-20. Simpson added field goals of 21 and 42 yards as Gardner-Webb steadily extended the advantage. 

NCCU had an opportunity to cut into the deficit midway through the fourth quarter when Lawrence broke a 51-yard run to the Gardner-Webb 15. The drive stalled after Layne was sacked for a 13-yard loss, however, and Daniels missed a 40-yard field goal.

Gardner-Webb provided the final points when Hunter West intercepted Layne and returned it for a touchdown with 1:32 remaining.

Pennington completed 24 of 38 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Kory Jones caught six passes for 131 yards, while Young rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown and Christian Vann added 77 yards.  

Layne finished 10-of-15 for 150 yards with an interception while being sacked four times. Lawrence led NCCU with 59 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Saunders had two catches for 48 yards. 

Joshua Truesdale led the Eagles defensively with a game-high 17 tackles, including 12 solo stops. 

NC Central had fought all the way back from 10-0 down to tie the game late in the first half and remained within four early in the third. From there, however, Gardner-Webb scored the game's final 20 points and turned a competitive game into a comfortable home victory.

DURHAM – NC Central held off a late North Carolina A&T comeback attempt Saturday, defeating the Aggies 30-22 in the latest chapter of the Aggie-Eagle Classic at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham.

The Eagles controlled much of the game behind a powerful rushing attack and a big performance from running back Plez Lawrence, who rushed for 210 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. Lawrence broke loose for a 73-yard touchdown in the second quarter and added two other rushing scores as NC Central built a 30-14 advantage through three quarters.

North Carolina A&T, however, refused to go quietly.

The Aggies scored with 4:20 remaining in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to eight points and then got the ball back with 2:01 left. Kevin White moved the offense deep into NC Central territory, but the Eagles defense came up with the final play it needed when Jakarri Martin II intercepted White with five seconds remaining.

The victory moved NC Central to 2-1 on the season, while North Carolina A&T fell to 0-3.

NC Central established control early.

After North Carolina A&T deferred the opening kickoff, the Eagles put together a 75-yard touchdown drive on their first possession. Nelson Layne connected with Mehki Wall for a 27-yard touchdown with 10:34 remaining in the first quarter. Riley Daniels added the extra point to give NC Central a 7-0 lead.

The Eagles added to the lead later in the quarter when Daniels converted a 37-yard field goal with 5:04 remaining, making it 10-0.

Lawrence then became the centerpiece of the NC Central offense.

After North Carolina A&T turned the ball over on a fumble in the second quarter, the Eagles needed only two plays to reach the end zone. Lawrence finished the short drive with a 14-yard touchdown run, although Daniels missed the extra point. NC Central led 16-0 with seven minutes remaining in the first half.

North Carolina A&T finally found its offense on the next possession.

White connected with Elijah Kennedy for a 51-yard touchdown with 4:33 left in the second quarter. Kennedy got behind the defense for the long touchdown, and Asher Holland converted the extra point to bring the Aggies within 16-7.

NC Central answered immediately.

The Eagles started their next possession at their own 21-yard line and appeared to have little room to work with. Instead, Lawrence broke through for a 73-yard touchdown run that pushed the lead back to 23-7 with 1:23 remaining before halftime.

North Carolina A&T responded once again.

White found Kennedy for a second touchdown just before halftime, this time on a 2-yard pass with eight seconds remaining. Holland's extra point made the score 23-14 at the break.

The Aggies had momentum going into halftime, but NC Central's defense and Lawrence's running continued to shape the game in the third quarter.

North Carolina A&T fumbled again early in the second half, giving NC Central possession at the Aggies' 45-yard line. The Eagles turned the short field into another touchdown drive, with Lawrence scoring on a 1-yard run with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter.

That touchdown completed Lawrence's three-score afternoon and gave NC Central a 30-14 lead.

North Carolina A&T struggled to sustain drives for much of the third quarter. The Aggies managed only 42 yards of offense in the period and turned the ball over on an interception during one possession.

Still, the game was not finished.

The Aggies opened the fourth quarter by stopping NC Central on fourth down at the North Carolina A&T 36-yard line. The defense gave White and the offense another opportunity, but the Aggies could not immediately turn the turnover on downs into points.

NC Central later reached the North Carolina A&T 36-yard line, but the Eagles also failed to convert on fourth down when Layne's pass fell incomplete.

That gave the Aggies another chance, and North Carolina A&T finally capitalized late in the quarter.

White led a 35-yard drive that began at the NC Central 35-yard line. After converting a fourth-and-2 earlier in the game-winning drive, the Aggies continued moving the ball into the red zone. White eventually found Anthony Rucker for a 6-yard touchdown with 4:20 remaining.

North Carolina A&T then made the decision to go for two, and White completed the conversion pass to Mark Tillman. The successful try cut NC Central's lead to 30-22.

The Eagles could not put the game away on their next possession.

NC Central gained only six yards before punting with 2:01 remaining, giving North Carolina A&T one final opportunity.

White went to work.

The Aggies started at their own 35-yard line and moved across midfield with a series of short completions and scrambles. White converted a third-and-3 with a 3-yard completion to Kennedy, then connected with Rory Jones-Amen-Hetep for six yards and Kennedy for another 14 to move the ball to the NC Central 35-yard line.

White added two scrambles, including a 6-yard run that moved the Aggies to the NC Central 24.

With 20 seconds remaining, White found Jones-Amen-Hetep for 21 yards, taking North Carolina A&T to the Eagles' 3-yard line.

NC Central called timeout with 20 seconds left.

White's next pass fell incomplete. On the following play, a 2-yard completion to Rucker was wiped out by a North Carolina A&T pass interference penalty, moving the Aggies back to the 13-yard line.

That left North Carolina A&T with one final opportunity.

With five seconds remaining, White dropped back and threw toward Michael Carlock-Williams. Eagles defensive back Jakarri Martin II stepped in front of the pass, ending the Aggies' comeback attempt and securing the 30-22 victory for NC Central.

White finished the game 21-of-44 passing for 259 yards and three touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions. Kennedy was his leading target, finishing with seven catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Rory Jones-Amen-Hetep added four catches for 41 yards.

NC Central's offense finished with 369 total yards, including 223 rushing yards. Lawrence accounted for nearly all of the Eagles' rushing production, while Layne completed 13 of 19 passes for 146 yards and one touchdown.

The Eagles also forced three North Carolina A&T turnovers, including two fumbles and two interceptions, while recording two takeaways through the air. The Aggies finished with 361 total yards and 19 first downs but could not overcome the early deficit.

For NC Central, the victory added another memorable result to one of North Carolina's biggest HBCU football rivalries.

For North Carolina A&T, the late rally showed how close the Aggies came to turning the game around. They scored eight points in the fourth quarter and drove 52 yards in the final two minutes, reaching the NC Central 3-yard line before the Eagles defense made the final play.

In the latest Aggie-Eagle Classic, NC Central had the answer when it mattered most.

DURHAM – Josh Shaw's 30-yard touchdown run with 1:51 remaining lifted South Carolina State to a 34-27 victory over North Carolina Central on Friday night at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium, extending the Bulldogs' winning streak to eight games and keeping their MEAC championship hopes alive.

The victory improved South Carolina State to 8-3 overall and a perfect 4-0 in conference play, while N.C. Central dropped to 7-4 and 2-2 in the MEAC.

Shaw finished with 83 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, capping a pivotal fourth quarter in which South Carolina State outgained the Eagles 161-52 in total offense. His game-winning score came on the first play after a two-minute warning timeout, as the Bulldogs needed just six plays to cover 52 yards in 3:16 following a punt from the N.C. Central 5-yard line.

"We just kept grinding," could have been the motto for South Carolina State, which controlled possession for more than 36 minutes and converted 10 of 17 third-down attempts while building a decisive advantage in total offense, 454-306.

Quarterback William Atkins IV completed 24 of 36 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns for the Bulldogs, though he was sacked five times and threw one interception. His connection with Jordan Smith proved particularly effective, as Smith hauled in seven catches for 72 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets.

The game featured five lead changes and one tie, with neither team leading by more than 14 points at any stage.

South Carolina State struck first on its second possession, driving 27 yards in 10 plays before Nico Cavanillas Alti connected on a 50-yard field goal at the 6:34 mark of the first quarter. N.C. Central answered quickly, with Kaleb Robison matching from 41 yards out to tie the game at 3-3 after a six-play, 51-yard drive.

The Bulldogs then seized momentum with a stunning 14-point burst in the final 10 seconds of the opening quarter. Atkins found Deyandre Ruffin for a 28-yard touchdown to cap a nine-play, 75-yard march, putting South Carolina State ahead 10-3 with 10 seconds remaining. On the ensuing kickoff, the Bulldogs successfully recovered an onside kick at their own 49-yard line, and Atkins immediately launched deep to Nigel Johnson for a 51-yard scoring strike as time expired in the quarter.

The 17-3 deficit proved temporary for the Eagles, who responded with 17 unanswered points in the second quarter.

Robison's second field goal, from 31 yards, cut the margin to 17-6 at the 10:44 mark. Less than a minute later, defensive back Eric Adams intercepted Atkins and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown, his second pick-six of the season and fourth interception overall, pulling N.C. Central within 17-13.

The Eagles completed their comeback on their next possession, a methodical 10-play, 98-yard drive that consumed 4:37 and ended with Chris Mosley plunging in from 9 yards out. The touchdown and Robison's extra point gave N.C. Central its first lead of the night, 20-17, with 2:58 left in the half.

Mosley finished with 105 yards on 21 carries, recording his fifth 100-yard rushing performance of the season. He also caught one pass for no yards.

South Carolina State tied the game at 20-20 early in the third quarter when Alti converted a 28-yard field goal following a fumble recovery on the opening kickoff of the second half. The seven-play, 35-yard drive took 3:13 off the clock.

N.C. Central reclaimed the lead just three minutes later when Walker Harris found Mehki Wall streaking down the middle for a 35-yard touchdown, Wall's fourth receiving score of the season. The seven-play, 66-yard drive put the Eagles ahead 27-20 with 8:33 remaining in the third quarter.

Wall led all receivers with 88 yards on five catches. Harris completed 13 of 31 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown but was sacked three times and struggled to maintain consistency in the passing game.

South Carolina State answered with its own lengthy scoring drive to open the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs marched 80 yards in 13 plays, converting three third downs along the way before Atkins hit Smith for a 24-yard touchdown with 13:25 left in regulation. The extra point tied the game at 27-27.

N.C. Central's ensuing possession stalled at its own 30-yard line after a three-and-out, and the Eagles punted to the South Carolina State 20 with 11:05 remaining.

That set up a critical 10-play drive that reached the N.C. Central 1-yard line before the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs with 6:03 to play. Shaw carried four straight times on goal-line attempts but was stopped short on fourth down by Donquarius Parker and Wisdom Simms.

The Eagles failed to capitalize, going three-and-out from their own 1-yard line before punting back to South Carolina State with 5:07 remaining. The Bulldogs took over at their own 48 and needed just six plays to find the end zone, with Shaw breaking off the decisive 30-yard scoring run.

N.C. Central had one final chance, starting at its own 8-yard line with 1:43 left. Harris completed passes to Wall for 19 yards and Chauncey Spikes for 20 yards to move the Eagles across midfield, but the drive stalled at the South Carolina State 49. Harris's fourth-down pass intended for Mosley fell incomplete with 12 seconds remaining, sealing the Bulldogs' victory.

South Carolina State dominated time of possession in the first quarter, holding the ball for 11:21 compared to just 3:39 for the Eagles. The Bulldogs finished with 39 rushing attempts for 140 yards, while N.C. Central managed just 88 yards on 28 carries.

Defensively, Jelani Vassell paced N.C. Central with a career-high 12 tackles. For South Carolina State, Roderick Kelly recorded eight tackles, including one tackle for loss.

The Bulldogs converted both of their field goal attempts and all four extra points, while the Eagles also went 2-for-2 on field goals and 3-for-3 on PATs. South Carolina State was penalized four times for 49 yards, while N.C. Central committed four penalties for 43 yards.

N.C. Central will close its regular season on Nov. 22 at Morgan State, while South Carolina State remains in contention for the MEAC title with its unblemished conference record.

Key Performers

South Carolina State:

• William Atkins IV: 24-36, 314 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
• Josh Shaw: 10 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD
• Jordan Smith: 7 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD

N.C. Central:

• Chris Mosley: 21 carries, 105 yards, 1 TD
• Mehki Wall: 5 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD
• Walker Harris: 13-31, 218 yards, 1 TD

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

BUIES CREEK – North Carolina Central unleashed an explosive offensive performance, dominating Campbell 45-14 in a nonconference Old North State Showdown at Barker-Lane Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Eagles (4-2) established their dominance early, erupting for 28 unanswered points in the second quarter. Quarterback Walker Harris orchestrated the offensive onslaught, connecting on 14 of 23 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score of his own.

NC Central’s ground game proved equally potent, with J’Mari Taylor accumulating 89 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Chris Mosley delivered a spark with a 57-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, finishing with 75 yards on just two attempts.

The Eagles’ defense matched their offense’s intensity, limiting Campbell (2-4) to 103 passing yards and forcing three turnovers. Quantez Mansfield led the defensive charge with six tackles, including 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. Malcolm Reed and Tomondrey Braxton each recorded interceptions.

Campbell showed signs of life in the second half when VJ Wilkins broke free for a 55-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Mike Chandler II later added a 72-yard scoring dash, the Camels’ longest rushing play since 2017. However, these highlights weren’t enough to overcome the substantial deficit.

The Eagles’ special teams contributed to the victory, with Darryl Taylor returning a punt 68 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. Kicker Juan Velarde was perfect on the day, converting all six extra points and adding a 43-yard field goal.

Campbell’s defense was anchored by Cornelius Davis, who recorded a game-high nine tackles, while Jalen Brooks added seven stops and a sack.

Up Next

NC Central hosts VU-Lynchburg next week in Durham while Campbell will have a bye week before resuming Colonial Athletic Association play at No. 12 William & Mary on October 19.

DURHAM – North Carolina Central overwhelmed North Carolina A&T in a lopsided 66-24 victory Saturday night at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. The Eagles improved to 2-2 on the season, while the Aggies fell to 1-2.

NCCU quarterback Walker Harris led the offensive onslaught, completing 15 of 22 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns. He also added a rushing touchdown. Running back J'Mari Taylor contributed significantly, rushing for 137 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, including a 66-yard scoring run in the first quarter that gave the Eagles a lead they would not relinquish.

The game started with a bang as NC A&T's Aaron Harris returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. However, NCCU quickly responded and built a commanding 40-12 lead by halftime.

NCCU's defense played a crucial role in the victory, forcing four turnovers. Mekhi Bigelow, Jaylen Bowden, and Cameron Williams each intercepted passes from NC A&T quarterbacks. The Eagles also scored on a blocked punt recovered by Trey Goodridge and an 11-yard fumble return by Malcolm Reed.

For NC A&T, quarterback Justin Fomby struggled, completing just 12 of 26 passes for 153 yards and two interceptions. The Aggies' ground game was led by Shimique Blizzard, who rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.

The Eagles dominated in total yardage, outgaining the Aggies 512 to 327. NCCU was particularly effective on third downs, converting 8 of 13 attempts compared to NC A&T's 4 of 18.

Next Week

North Carolina Central hosts Norfolk State in the MEAC opener while North Carolina A&T travels to Orangeburg, SC to play South Carolina State in nonconference action.

RICHMOND, VA – In a high-scoring first-round FCS playoff showdown, the Richmond Spiders emerged victorious against the North Carolina Central Eagles with a final score of 49-27. The game, filled with explosive plays and offensive fireworks ultimately tilted in favor of Richmond and spoiled the Eagles’ first-ever playoff appearance since moving up to Division 1 in 2011.

The Eagles found themselves trailing early in the first quarter after a 35-yard touchdown pass from Richmond's Kyle Wickersham to Nick DeGennaro, putting them at a 7-0 disadvantage. However, North Carolina Central responded with a gritty 1-yard touchdown run by Davius Richard, bringing the score to 7-6. The Eagles then seized the lead with an electrifying 91-yard touchdown connection between Richard and Devin Smith, ending the first quarter with a 13-7 lead.

Despite Richmond narrowing the gap in the second quarter, with Richard's 18-yard touchdown run making it 20-14, North Carolina Central showcased their offensive capabilities. Richard demonstrated versatility, leading the team with both passing and rushing contributions.

In the third quarter, Richmond took control, scoring three unanswered touchdowns. Savon Smith's 14-yard rushing touchdown and an impressive 65-yard punt return shifted the momentum in Richmond's favor. The Spiders extended their lead further with a 71-yard touchdown pass from Wickersham to Jerry Garcia Jr., entering the final quarter with a 35-20 advantage.

North Carolina Central fought hard in the fourth quarter, with Richard orchestrating a 75-yard drive that culminated in his 2-yard touchdown run, narrowing the score to 35-27. However, Richmond responded with three additional touchdowns, securing the 49-27 win.

Offensively, North Carolina Central's Richard showcased his skills, passing for 262 yards and a touchdown while leading the team in rushing with 51 yards and three rushing touchdowns. Devin Smith was a standout receiver, amassing 202 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Jayden Flaker led the Eagles with 11 total tackles, demonstrating resilience despite Richmond's offensive onslaught. Despite the loss, North Carolina Central's defense showed glimpses of strength, with Quantez Mansfield making key plays, including 1.5 tackles for loss.

Although the Eagles fell short in this matchup, their tenacity and offensive firepower were evident. As they regroup for upcoming games, North Carolina Central aims to build on the positives from this contest and make strides in the remainder of the season.

Saturday night’s ACC Network game from Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh will be the 113th meeting between the NC State Wolfpack and the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Tar Heels, recovering from a loss at Clemson, are preparing to face their rivals in the final game of the 2023 regular season. The Tar Heels’ offense, which averages 38.1 points per game, is the 12th highest nationally, and they’ve been successful on third downs, converting 49.7% of them. Quarterback Drake Maye and running back Omarion Hampton have been key players, with Maye throwing at least one touchdown pass in 10 of the 11 games this season and Hampton rushing for 100 yards in six consecutive games.

On the other side, the Wolfpack have been formidable opponents under the guidance of head coach Dave Doeren, the winningest coach in school history with 80 wins at NC State. They are one of only four teams in the Power 5 that have won eight or more games in each of the last four seasons. Their defense, which leads the ACC in total defense and scoring defense vs. league opponents, has been particularly impressive. In the last nine games, the Wolfpack defense has allowed just 88.5 rushing yards per game. During that span, three opponents have rushed for less than 100 yards. This game promises to be a thrilling end to the regular season, with both teams bringing their A-game to the field for bragging rights and a claim to best FBS team in the state.

NCAA Division II Playoffs (Round 2)

Lenoir-Rhyne vs Benedict: The Lenoir-Rhyne Bears are set to face the Benedict Tigers in the NCAA Division II playoffs this Saturday. The Bears have had a strong season, with an 11-1 record and an average of 40.17 points per game. Their rushing game is led by Dwayne McGee, who has gained 1213 yards with an average of 110.27 yards per game. In the passing game, Jalen Ferguson has completed 111 out of 154 attempts, throwing for 1468 yards and 16 touchdowns. The receiving corps is led by DeAree Rogers, who has made 43 catches for 621 yards and 6 touchdowns. On defense, Jon Ross Maye leads the team with 86 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. The Bears' defense has been particularly effective, with 35 sacks and 13 interceptions this season. The team's overall performance has been impressive, with an average of 443.7 yards per game. This game promises to be a thrilling encounter, with the Bears looking to leverage their strong performance this season against the formidable Tigers.

NCAA FCS Playoffs (Round )

Gardner-Webb vs. Mercer: This Saturday, the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs, under the guidance of Head Coach Tre Lamb, a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, will face off against the Mercer Bears in the NCAA FCS playoffs. The Bulldogs have had a strong season, with back-to-back conference championships for the first time since 2002 and 2003, and an undefeated home record. Their offense, led by Lamb, has been aggressive, averaging 34.7 points per game in conference games and converting 24 of their 37 fourth-down attempts. On the defensive end, Ty French has set a new school record for career sacks with 30.5 and has been named a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award. Running back Narii Gaither has also made history, becoming just the second player in program history to rush for at least 3,000 yards. The Bulldogs have a record of 9-36 against FCS teams ranked inside the national polls, but they defeated #13/14 UT Martin earlier this season. Freshman quarterback Jaylen King, a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, has gone 5-1 in his first six career starts, including leading the Bulldogs to a 38-34 upset victory over #13/14 UT Martin. This game promises to be a thrilling encounter, with the Bulldogs looking to leverage their strong performance this season against the formidable Bears.

North Carolina Central vs. Richmond: This Saturday at 3pm, the NCAA FCS playoff game between North Carolina Central and Richmond is set to be a thrilling showdown. NCCU, with a record of 9-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play, has been a force to reckon with this season. They have outscored their opponents 403 to 296, averaging 36.64 points per game. Their rushing attack, led by Latrell Collier with 684 yards and 8 touchdowns, and Davius Richard with 579 yards and 15 touchdowns, has been particularly potent. Richard has also been impressive in the passing game, completing 60.98% of his passes for 1915 yards and 20 touchdowns. On the receiving end, Devin Smith and Joaquin Davis have been key contributors, with 505 and 404 receiving yards respectively. On the defensive side, Jayden Flaker leads the team with 74 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. With a rare appearance in the FCS playoffs, NCCU is poised to give a tough fight to the University of Richmond.

Honoring NCCFB Legend Armanti Edwards 

App State vs. Georgia Southern: App State will host Georgia Southern at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone in a game that will be broadcast on ESPNU Saturday afternoon at 3:30. App State leads the series 21-16-1 overall and 14-5-1 in Boone. Leading the Mountaineers’ offense is quarterback Joey Aguilar with 2,975 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, receiver Kaedin Robinson with 45 catches for 609 yards and 8 touchdowns, and running back Nate Noel with 787 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. Andrew Parker Jr. paces the App State defense with 98 tackles. The game will be a significant event, as it's not only the regular-season finale but also Senior Day, and the retirement of QB Armanti Edwards’ No. 14 jersey will take place at halftime. App State is also vying for a Sun Belt Championship Game berth. The team needs to beat Georgia Southern and have JMU win at Coastal Carolina to advance to face West champ Troy on Dec. 2.

As the clock struck noon on Selection Sunday, football fans across the nation eagerly tuned in to witness the unveiling of the 2023 FCS playoff bracket. The anticipation reached its peak as the NCAA Division I Football Championship Committee revealed the field of 24 teams competing for the prestigious title.

Two teams from North Carolina, Gardner-Webb and North Carolina Central, found themselves among the chosen few. For the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs, it was a testament to their resilience throughout a challenging season. Despite facing one of the toughest nonconference schedules in FCS football, the Runnin' Bulldogs secured significant victories against Elon and #13 UT Martin. They stumbled along the way, facing tough losses to FBS Appalachian State and fellow playoff team Austin Peay. However, as conference play unfolded, Gardner-Webb turned the tide, finishing strong with a 5-1 record and clinching the conference championship for the second consecutive year.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the North Carolina Central University Eagles soared into the playoffs on the wings of an impressive season. Fresh off winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the HBCU national championship, the Eagles showcased their strength in a schedule that included marquee matchups against UCLA and a trip to the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis. Victories against South Carolina State and Norfolk State highlighted their success, while a challenging loss to Howard kept them out of the Celebration Bowl for a second year in a row but opened the door to the FCS playoffs.

As the bracket unfolded, fans marveled at the matchups that would define the road to the national championship in Frisco, Texas. Gardner-Webb was slated to face Mercer in the first round, a game that promised intensity and excitement. Meanwhile, NC Central prepared for a showdown with Richmond, setting the stage for a clash between two formidable opponents. Both North Carolina teams will play away from home for the first round of the playoffs with a win putting each team on the road at one of the top eight national seeds.

Top 8 seeds

1. South Dakota State
2. Montana
3. South Dakota
4. Idaho
5. Albany
6. Montana State
7. Furman
8. Villanova

The playoff journey begins on Thanksgiving weekend on ESPN+, with the first-round matchups set to captivate audiences across the nation. 

DURHAM – O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham was the stage for an electrifying college football showdown on Saturday night, as the North Carolina Central University Eagles battled the Campbell University Camels. In a game that kept fans on both sides anxious for the entire evening, the Eagles secured a nail-biting victory in overtime, winning 49-48.

The crowd of 8,410 spectators witnessed an unforgettable game that saw both teams trade blows throughout the night. The Eagles, now standing at 4-1 on the season, extended their home game win streak to eight with this thrilling victory. They will continue their journey as they face Elon University on October 7th at 2 p.m. Campbell dropped to 2-3 and will look to bounce back in a road game against Hampton next Saturday.

Davius Richard Shines for NCCU

Senior quarterback Davius Richard was the star of the night for the Eagles. Richard displayed his versatility by completing 21 of 34 passes for 265 yards, including a crucial touchdown. But it was his performance on the ground that left a lasting mark on the game. Richard scored an astonishing four rushing touchdowns, breaking NCCU's career rushing touchdown record with a total of 33. This remarkable feat also tied the single-game rushing touchdown record for the Eagles.

The game began with both teams trading early blows. Campbell's quarterback, Hajj-Malik Williams, connected with Lamagea McDowell for an 11-yard touchdown pass, giving the Camels a 7-0 lead. NCCU quickly responded with a 51-yard pass from Richard to Devin Smith, setting up Richard's 5-yard rushing touchdown to level the score at 7-7.

Eagles Overcome Deficit

Despite the Camels taking a commanding 35-14 lead in the second quarter, NCCU rallied back with determination. Richard, along with teammates Luke Bracey and Latrell Collier, found the end zone in the second half, making it a nail-biting contest. Sophomore linebacker Jayden Flaker led the Eagles' defense with an impressive 15 tackles, including a crucial stop in the third quarter that set up a game-tying touchdown.

In a game that came down to the wire, it was NCCU's special teams that made the difference in overtime. Senior defensive tackle Karfa Kaba blocked a crucial point-after-touchdown (PAT) attempt, giving the Eagles the opportunity to seal the game. Adrian Olivo capitalized on this opportunity, securing the win for NCCU with a converted PAT.

Campbell's Strong Offensive Showing

Campbell's offense put on an impressive display, amassing 269 yards of total offense in the first half alone. Quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams threw for 302 yards and five touchdowns, connecting frequently with Jalen Kelsey, who had a career-high 172 yards receiving, including two stunning touchdown receptions of 70 and 65 yards.

The Camels had a chance to clinch victory in overtime, with Williams connecting with Ezeriah Anderson for a 13-yard touchdown pass. However, the blocked PAT proved costly, as NCCU's Latrell Collier swiftly carried the ball into the end zone, securing the Eagles' dramatic win.

A Game to Remember

The game between NCCU and Campbell will undoubtedly go down as one of the most thrilling college football matchups of the season. With both teams displaying remarkable skill and determination, it's a testament to the excitement and unpredictability that college football can offer. As the season progresses, fans can only hope for more games as captivating as this one.

BUIES CREEK – Campbell rolled up a season-high 563 yards of total offense and defeated North Carolina Central 48-18 Saturday at Barker-Lane Stadium.

Campbell (2-2) scored on six of its seven first-half drives and hit season highs for points (48), total offense, first downs (33) and rushing yards (315) against a previously unbeaten Eagle team that entered the contest ranked eighth in the nation in scoring defense (13.5).

Bryant Barr ran for a career-high 135 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown for the Camels, who ran 83 plays to 64 for the visitors.  NaQuari Rogers added 78 rushing yards and one score, while Lamagea McDowell scored twice on the ground.

Campbell RB Bryant Barr races past the defense. Photo Credit: Bennett Scarborough

Hajj-Malik Williams completed 22-of-33 passes for 248 yards and added 46 on the ground with one rushing TD.  Jalen Kelsey led CU with five receptions for 47 yards and recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown.

Davius Richard completed 21-of-35 passes with two interceptions and a pair of TDs for NC Central (4-1), which ranked fifth in the FCS in scoring offense (43.2) but was held to just three scores despite finishing with 390 total yards.  Richard led the Eagles with 37 rushing yards, while Devin Smith had five catches for 67 yards and two scores.

Aaron Maddox, CJ Tillman and Myles Rowser led Campbell with seven tackles each.  Isaiah Lawson had 12 tackles for the Eagles, while Jason Chambers added 11 and Khalil Baker 10.

Campbell compiled 397 yards of total offense before the break, including 205 on the ground.

The Camels took the opening kickoff and drove 84 yards on 14 plays, capped by McDowell’s four-yard rush.  After forcing a punt, Campbell again drove into the red zone to set up Caleb Dowden’s 30-yard field goal.

Myles Rowser intercepted a Richard pass and the Camels drove 60 yards in six plays.  McDowell finished the march with a 10-yard scoring run for a 17-0 lead with 11:44 left in the second quarter.

Williams pushed the margin to 24-0 on a 17-yard QB keeper with 7:25 to play in the half.

The Eagles got on the scoreboard when Richard connected with Smith on a 28-yard TD pass.  However, Campbell stopped NCCU on the two-point conversion attempt.

CU answered Central’s only first-half score with a 75-yard drive that Barr finished with a 24-yard rush.

Ed Dennis picked off Richard’s pass and returned it 26 yards to give the Camels a first down on the NCCU 34 with 55 seconds to play.  Dowden’s 21-yard field goal pushed the halftime lead to 34-6.

Barr ran for 113 yards on 16 carries in the first half alone.  Williams completed 13-of-18 passes for 192 yards before the break as the Camels converted 5-of-5 red zone opportunities.

NCCU scored on the first play of the fourth quarter on Smith’s 22-yard TD catch, but the Camels responded with a 9-play, 65-yard march that Rogers completed with a 35-yard run.

Alex Santiago blocked a Juan Velarde punt and Kelsey picked it up at the goal line to push the margin to 48-12 with 9:06 to play.  

Richard’s 1-yard QB keeper rounded out the scoring.

Notable North Carolinians

Bryant Barr (Eastern Guilford) – the graduate running back ran for a career-high 135 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown.

Lamagea McDowell (Charlotte Catholic, Hunter Huss) – the junior running back scored twice on the ground to give Campbell an early lead.

Devin Smith (Durham Riverside) – the sophomore receiver finished with five catches for 67 yards, including two touchdowns.

Isaiah Lawson (Butler) – the sophomore linebacker led the NCCU defense with 12 tackles, including a stop for a loss, with a pass break-up.

Up Next

Campbell (2-2) returns to action next Saturday with a 4:00 p.m. kickoff against Charleston Southern in its Big South Conference opener while NCCU has an open week before beginning MEAC play versus Morgan State on Thursday, October 13 on ESPNU.

In the Eagles' first game as a nationally-ranked team in five years (No. 25), they scored the most points since Sept. 17, 2016 (65 vs. Saint Augustine's), and reached 40 points or more for three straight contests for the first time in 37 years. 

NCCU (4-0) used a stable of ball carriers to amass a season-high 272 rushing yards, marking the third consecutive outing with more than 200 yards on the ground.

Leading the way for the Eagles was running back Chris Mosley with 72 yards, including 58 yards on a breakaway race to the end zone early in the fourth quarter. Latrell Collier added 63 yards and a touchdown, J'Mari Taylor posted 54 yards and a touchdown, and quarterback Davius Richard contributed 41 yards and his fifth rushing touchdown of the season.

Richard also completed 12-of-17 passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns. On the receiving end of the scoring tosses were Andrew Smith (3 receptions, 31 yards), Quentin McCall, and E.J. Hicks. Joaquin Davis also had three catches for 33 yards, while Devin Smith and Twan Flip Jr. registered two grabs each for 35 and 33 receiving yards, respectively.

The eighth and final touchdown was a 24-yard connection from quarterback Quest Powell to receiver Marseille Miller with nine minutes left in the ballgame.

Defensively, NCCU was topped by linebacker Max U'Ren with seven takedowns and a forced fumble, while defensive back Makai McCall tallied six tackles. Defensive lineman Colby Warrior accounted for three stops, including 2.0 hits for a loss with an assisted sack, and an interception.

Along with three tackles, NCCU safety Khalil Baker recorded his fourth interception of the season, having collected a pick in each of the Eagles' four games. Defensive back Marvin Reed also had an interception.

Virginia-Lynchburg (0-4) posted 177 yards of total offense and forced five turnovers.

Up next, NCCU puts its undefeated record on the line at Campbell on Oct. 1 at 6 p.m.

Story courtesy of NCCU Sports Information

Appalachian State

9/2 - vs ECU (Charlotte)

9/11 – at Miami

9/18 – Elon

9/25 – Marshall

Charlotte

9/4 – Duke

9/11 – Gardner-Webb

9/18 – at Georgia State

10/2 – at Illinois

Duke

9/4 – at Charlotte

9/18 – Northwestern

9/25 – Kansas

East Carolina

9/2 – vs App State (Charlotte)

9/11 – South Carolina

9/18 – at Marshall

9/25 – Charleston Southern

NC State

9/4 – South Florida

9/11 – at Mississippi State

9/18 – Furman

10/2 – Louisiana Tech

North Carolina

9/11 – Georgia State

9/25 – Wake Forest*

10/30 – at Notre Dame

11/20 – Wofford

Wake Forest

9/4 – Old Dominion

9/11 – Norfolk State

9/25 – UNC*

10/23 – at Army

Campbell

9/4 – at Liberty

9/11 – Elon

9/18 – Presbyterian

11/6 – at James Madison

Davidson

9/4 – at VMI

Elon

9/11 – at Campbell

9/18 – at Appalachian State

Gardner-Webb

9/4 – at Georgia Southern

9/11 – at Charlotte

9/25 – Western Carolina

NC A&T

9/4 – at Furman

9/11 – Charleston Southern

9/25 – NC Central

NCCU

9/11 – at Marshall

9/25 – at NC A&T

WCU

9/4 – Eastern Kentucky

9/11 – at Oklahoma

9/25 – at Gardner-Webb

NORFOLK, VA (MEACSports.com) – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference released its spring 2021 football schedule on Monday, a slate of games which reflect unique divisional scheduling due to some members opting out of playing in the spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conference’s spring football regular season will kick off on Feb. 20, 2021 and will conclude on April 3. An inaugural championship game will take place on April 17, the winner advancing to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs a week later.

With Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M both meeting the conference’s Nov. 16 opt-out deadline to not compete in spring football, the field of teams playing football in the spring was narrowed to seven teams – Delaware State, Howard, Morgan State and Norfolk State, which will comprise the MEAC’s Northern Division, and North Carolina A&T State, North Carolina Central and South Carolina State, which will compete in the Southern Division.

The new schedule approved by the MEAC’s athletics directors calls for the Northern Division teams to play four conference games within the division, including each institution playing one opponent twice. In the Southern Division, each of the three members will play each other twice, for a total of four games.

Teams from both divisions have open dates where they may choose to play non-conference games.

The Northern and Southern Division teams with the best records will square off for the MEAC championship on the campus of the team with the best conference record on April 17.

Spring 2021 MEAC Football Schedule

Saturday, February 20

Delaware State at Morgan State*

NC Central at SC State*

Norfolk State at Howard*

Saturday, February 27

SC State at North Carolina A&T*

Saturday, March 6

Howard at Delaware State*

NC Central at North Carolina A&T*

Norfolk State at Morgan State*

Saturday, March 20

Delaware State at Norfolk State*

Morgan State at Howard*

SC State at NC Central*

Saturday, March 27

North Carolina A&T at SC State*

Saturday, April 3

Howard at Norfolk State*

Morgan State at Delaware State*

North Carolina A&T at NC Central*

Saturday, April 10

Delaware at Delaware State

Saturday, April 17

MEAC Championship

*denotes conference game