Atlanta remains a second home for North Carolina Central football.
The Eagles opened the 2025 season with a 31-14 victory over Southern in Saturday night’s Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium, locking down in the second half to seal another neutral-site showcase win. It was NCCU’s third-straight win in a MEAC/SWAC showcase event, dating back to 2021.
Three North Carolina Central running backs found the end zone, but Chris Mosley stole the show, eclipsing the 100-yard mark before halftime and earning game MVP honors.
Flicks of the MVP, Chris Mosley 📸#MEACSWACChallenge #CultureOverScheme #BeGreat #NCCUFootball @NCCU_Football pic.twitter.com/uwGPbZCyWu — NCCU Athletics (@NCCUAthletics) August 24, 2025
How It Happened
1st Quarter
- NCCU 7-0 | Arthur Rodgers 1-yd TD run (Kaleb Robison kick), 7:59
- Tied 7-7 | Cam’Ron McCoy 69-yd TD run (Zimmer kick), 6:26
2nd Quarter
- NCCU 10-7 | Robison 31-yd FG, 3:24
- SU 14-10 | Trey Holly 80-yd TD run (Zimmer kick), 1:57
- NCCU 17-14 | Chris Mosley 49-yd TD run (Robison kick), 1:40
3rd Quarter
- NCCU 24-14 | Kyle Morgan 3-yd TD catch from Walker Harris (Robison kick), 10:59
4th Quarter
- NCCU 31-14 | Aleni Mageo 6-yd TD run (Robison kick), 3:12
NCCU By the Numbers
- Chris Mosley (RB): 15 carries, 174 yards, 1 TD (11.6 avg) → first start as NCCU’s new RB1.
- Walker Harris (QB): 19-24, 183 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT → efficient and steady.
- Kyle Morgan (WR): 2 catches, 6 yards, 1 TD.
- Team Defense: Shut out Southern in the second half, allowing just 92 passing yards for the game.
Team Stats
- Total Yards: NCCU 414, Southern 342
- Time of Possession: NCCU 35:06, Southern 24:54
- 3rd Downs: NCCU 4-9, Southern 2-10
- Red Zone: NCCU 4-5, Southern 0-1
Game Storylines
- Mosley the New RB1: Wearing No. 1, Redshirt senior running back Chris Mosley lived up to the jersey, averaging 11.6 yards per carry in a breakout performance.
- Defense Clamps Down: After surrendering long TD runs of 69 and 80 yards in the first half, NCCU tightened the screws — holding Southern scoreless after the break.
- Oliver’s Opener Streak: Head coach Trei Oliver is now 5-0 in season openers as North Carolina Central’s head coach, continuing his mastery in showcase games.
First-Half Storylines
- Big Plays Hurt: Both Southern touchdowns came on long runs — 69 and 80 yards — exposing the middle of NCCU’s defense.
- Mosley’s Breakout: The Cisco College transfer ran for 132 yards on 10 carries, including a 49-yard burst through the middle that gave NCCU the halftime lead. He’s stepping into the role left by J’Mari Taylor, who transferred to Virginia, and so far, so good.
- Harris Steady: QB Walker Harris went 14-of-18 for 119 yards at the half. His lone blemish came when he was stripped at the goal line, leading to a Southern recovery in the end zone.
Final Score
🏈 North Carolina Central 31, Southern 14
NCCU Eagles end SWAC’s three-year run in the early-season MEAC/SWAC Challenge, pulling away in the second half.
What’s Next for North Carolina Central?
The Eagles return home on Saturday, Sept. 6 to host New Hampshire in Durham.
See the full 2025 North Carolina Central football schedule.
Follow all NC college football results on our North Carolina College Football Scoreboard Hub.
Related Coverage:
• Chris Mosley explodes onto the scene as NCCU’s new RB1
• One Team To Rule Them All! (This Week): NCCU earns Team of the Week honors
