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.

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.