Eagles Fly High in Atlanta: North Carolina Central Triumphs Over Southern, 31–14, in MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off
ATLANTA, Ga. — In a commanding start to their 2025 campaign, the North Carolina Central Eagles outpaced the Southern Jaguars, securing a 31–14 victory in the highly anticipated Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium this past Saturday.
A Statement Opener
From the opening kickoff, the Eagles—winners of the previous MEAC/SWAC Challenge—showed they intended to repeat. Their first possession covered 80 yards before quarterback Walker Harris punched it in from a yard out, propelled by an 18-yard scramble that set the tone for the night.
Southern responded with flair: quarterback Cam’Ron McCoy broke loose for a 69-yard touchdown that knotted the game early in the first quarter. However, the Eagles quickly regained momentum—a late first-half field goal by Kaleb Robison nudged them ahead 10–7, followed by a stunning 49-yard TD run by running back Chris Mosley with just nine seconds remaining in the half. 
Eagles' Ground Game Dominates
The ground assault was undeniable. Chris Mosley poured in a career-best performance, rushing for 174 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, earning MVP honors. Overall, NCCU piled up 231 rushing yards, part of a whopping 414 yards of total offense.
In the third quarter, Harris connected with Kyle Morgan for a 3-yard touchdown, extending NCCU’s lead to 24–14. Aleni Mageo added a 6-yard TD late in the quarter, effectively sealing the game.
Defense, Possession, and Coaching Prowess
After Mageo’s score, Southern was held scoreless for the final 31 minutes and 57 seconds of the game as NCCU’s defense tightened up.
Coach Trei Oliver praised his team’s tempo control: “Time of possession was key. That’s what really kept us in the game and settled us down,” he explained.
With this victory, NCCU secures back-to-back MEAC/SWAC Challenge titles. The MEAC now leads the all-time series 12–7 in this season-opening classic.
What’s Next
Buoyed by their Week 0 success, the Eagles will host the New Hampshire Wildcats this Saturday at O’Kelly Riddick Stadium. The Wildcats enter unbeaten and seek to balance the series, currently tilted 1–0 in NCCU’s favor from a 2022 clash.
After their season-opening loss to North Carolina Central in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, the Southern University Jaguars will look to regroup quickly as they travel to Itta Bena, Mississippi, to face Mississippi Valley State on Saturday, August 30. That matchup will serve as their first road test of the year and a chance to reset the tone of the season. The following week, Southern returns home for the Pete Richardson Classic against Alabama State on September 6, before traveling west to meet FBS opponent Fresno State on September 13 in a high-profile nonconference clash.
For head coach Terrence Graves and his staff, the emphasis will be on finding consistency and building momentum in conference play. While the Jaguars will be tested by FBS competition and heated rivalries, their ultimate goal remains clear: to compete for a spot in the SWAC Championship Game on December 6.
