Homecoming Saturday in Durham doubles as the start of MEAC play for North Carolina Central football, which returns to O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium riding a four-game win streak. The Eagles (5-2) have averaged 51.5 points per game during that stretch and now look to extend their dominance over Delaware State (4-3), which arrives with the most prolific rushing attack in FCS (327.0 yards per game).
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
🏈 The Matchup
- Matchup: Delaware State (4-3) at North Carolina Central (5-2)
- When: Saturday, Oct. 25 | 1 p.m. ET
- Where: O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium | Durham, N.C.
- TV/Stream: ESPN+
- Series: NCCU leads 23-7; has won 10 of the last 11 meetings
- Last Delaware State win: 2018 in Dover
- Coach Trei Oliver: 5-0 vs. Delaware State
The countdown is on and The Nest is already buzzing… See you there! 🦅#CultureOverScheme #BeGreat #NCCUFootball #EaglePrideAmplified pic.twitter.com/2zeZDm98fr
— NCCU Athletics (@NCCUAthletics) October 22, 2025
🔥 Eagles Enter MEAC Play Red-Hot
North Carolina Central closed its nonconference slate with a statement, routing Florida A&M 45-7 in Tallahassee for its fourth straight win. Three of those victories came on the road, including a 62-20 flattening of rival North Carolina A&T in Greensboro.
- Offense on a roll: The Eagles are averaging 36.1 points and 444.0 yards per game for the season.
- QB Walker Harris has thrown for 1,792 yards and 12 touchdowns, ranking eighth in FCS in passing yards and first in the MEAC.
- RB Chris Mosley continues to pace the ground game, averaging 105.4 rushing yards per contest and 5.8 yards per carry, with four 100-yard performances already this season.
- WR Chance Peterson leads the receiving corps with 31 catches for 428 yards, while Mehki Wall and Chauncey Spikes have combined for four touchdown receptions.
- DL Thomas Johnson anchors a defense that’s recorded 23.5 sacks and 56 tackles for loss. Johnson ranks second in the MEAC in TFLs (8.0) and 11th nationally in sacks (6.5).
- At home under Oliver, NCCU is 19-7 overall, including undefeated home seasons in 2022 and 2023, and a 1-1 mark so far this season.
Despite all the great numbers and momentum, Oliver knows there is no room for error at this point in the season.
“This team has done absolutely nothing yet,” he said during a recent media availability. “We’re 5-2, but you don’t get a championship for that …You can’t lose. Not at this point. We’ve had good teams the last few years and missed out (on post-season chances) because we dropped a game.”
🐝 Hornets Flying Under New Leadership
First-year head coach DeSean Jackson, the former Philadelphia Eagles star and three-time NFL Pro Bowler, has brought flash and confidence to Delaware State. The Hornets are 4-3 overall, coming off a 70-23 homecoming win over Southern Connecticut State and a much-needed bye week. The Hornets were 2-21 the previous two seasons before Jackson’s arrival, including 0-10 in MEAC play.
- Offense on fire: Delaware State leads the MEAC in scoring (38.3 ppg), total offense (484.7 ypg) and rushing (327.0 ypg).
- RB Marquis Gillis tops the MEAC with 877 rushing yards (109.6 per game).
- RB James Jones adds 522 yards and six touchdowns, while QB Kaiden Bennett has contributed 363 rushing yards and a league-high nine rushing touchdowns.
- Bennett has also thrown for 733 yards and three scores, sharing time with Jayden Sauray (345 passing yards).
- LB Brian Bates leads the defense with 56 tackles, while Quincy Robinson has 6.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
The Hornets’ 4-3 start already matches their most wins since 2022 — and they’ve been competitive in every loss.
⚖️ Key Matchups
- NCCU’s Defensive Front vs. Delaware State’s Rushing Trio: Johnson and company will have to clog the lanes early to force Bennett into obvious passing situations. Delaware State averages more than 300 rushing yards per game, so first contact tackling will be critical.
- Walker Harris vs. Delaware State’s Secondary: The Hornets have struggled against explosive passing teams, giving up 281+ yards per game and 18 total touchdowns; Harris has the accuracy and poise to exploit one-on-one matchups downfield.
- Chris Mosley vs. Delaware State’s Linebackers: Mosley’s ability to keep drives balanced may prove vital to keeping NCCU’s defense fresh.
- Oliver vs. Jackson: Jackson is one of the fresh faces in MEAC football (joining Norfolk State’s Michael Vick and South Carolina State’s Chennis Berry, who won the league in his 2024 debut. Jackson will match wits for the first time against Oliver, who owns a 19-9 record in MEAC play.
🧩 By the Numbers
| Team | Record | Points Per Game | Yards Per Game | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCCU | 5-2 | 36.1 | 444.0 | 23.5 sacks, 56 TFLs |
| Delaware State | 4-3 | 38.3 | 484.7 | 7.4 rushing yards per carry |
🏆 Outlook
The Eagles’ balance on both sides of the ball, home-field advantage and championship experience make them the favorite. But Delaware State’s power run game — led by three of the MEAC’s top five rushers — presents a real test for NCCU’s front seven.
Prediction: North Carolina Central 38, Delaware State 24
