Things to watch: North Carolina Central Eagles Football Fans Enjoys More Tantalizing News to Cheer About

DURHAM, NC—The #20-ranked North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Eagles extended their winning streak with a strong 16-7 win against the Morgan State Bears on Saturday at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium, in an important HBCU homecoming game within the MEAC. The victory highlighted NCCU’s defensive prowess, boosting their season record to 6-2 and improving their MEAC standing to 2-0.

The game’s momentum shifted in the second quarter when NCCU’s Walker Harris connected with Markell Quick for a stunning 49-yard touchdown pass, marking the Eagles’ first points after a slow start. This four-play, 76-yard drive took under a minute and highlighted Harris’s accuracy and Quick’s speed. Quick ended the game with an impressive 96 receiving yards on five catches, solidifying his role as a dependable target.

Morgan State had difficulty finding its offensive rhythm but managed to close the gap in the fourth quarter. A two-yard touchdown run by Jason Collins capped an 8-play, 34-yard drive, narrowing the score to 10-7 and demonstrating their resilience against NCCU’s formidable defense. Collins was the standout for Morgan, rushing for 72 yards on 14 carries, offering a silver lining for the Bears.

The game’s most exciting moment came shortly after when NCCU’s running back J’Mari Taylor burst through Morgan State’s defense for a 50-yard touchdown run, restoring a 16-7 lead and dashing any hopes of a Bears comeback. Taylor’s rushing performance was dominant, totaling 196 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, with his explosive plays in crucial moments proving decisive.

Defensively, NCCU’s Thomas Johnson was a powerhouse, notching three sacks and demonstrating exceptional pass-rushing abilities. Morgan’s Elijah Williams also stood out on defense, blocking a field goal attempt and tallying two sacks, helping keep Morgan State competitive in the game.

This victory reinforces NCCU’s dominance in the MEAC as they prepare for a big conference clash against South Carolina State on Halloween night, one of the most eagerly awaited HBCU football matchups of the year. Meanwhile, Morgan State, now at 3-5, will look to regroup and tackle their offensive issues as the season progresses.