Oct. 12, 2024 — Durham, N.C.

In a complete showcase of offensive firepower and defensive prowess, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) shut out Virginia-Lynchburg 68-0 on Saturday at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium, capping off their final non-conference game of the season in emphatic fashion.

NCCU wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, lighting up the first quarter with 33 points. Quarterback Walker Harris opened the floodgates, connecting with Joaquin Davis on a 24-yard touchdown pass. Though the extra point was blocked, the Eagles quickly capitalized again, as Kamari Houze recovered a loose ball in the end zone following a mishandled kickoff by Virginia-Lynchburg. Astonishingly, 13 points were on the board with less than a second ticking off the game clock.

The Eagles’ offense remained relentless. Running back Christian Mosley punched in his third rushing touchdown of the season, extending the lead to 20-0. Wide receiver Mehki Wall followed suit with a 9-yard touchdown reception from Harris, capping a quarter in which NCCU scored on every possession.

By halftime, the Eagles were up 41-0, following scores from J’Mari Taylor and freshman Aleni Mageo, who notched his first career touchdown. The second half saw no letup. Freshman QB Joshua Jones delivered a 15-yard strike to Sterling Greene, before running back Quest Powell closed the scoring with a 1-yard rush, sealing the commanding 68-0 victory.

NCCU’s ground game dominated, amassing 326 rushing yards led by Zion Dobson’s 98-yard performance on 12 carries. Defensively, the Eagles suffocated Virginia-Lynchburg, holding them to -42 rushing yards and allowing just 117 passing yards. The Dragons failed to convert a single third down (0-for-12) and were shut out of the red zone entirely.

With the win, head coach Trei Oliver improved his overall record to 34-20 and extended NCCU’s dominance at home, winning 13 of their last 14 games at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

Notable Stats:

• Walker Harris: 3 passing touchdowns, extending his streak of two or more TDs in four consecutive games.
• J’Mari Taylor: A rushing touchdown in seven straight games, tallying two scores on the day.
• Zion Dobson: Led all rushers with 98 yards and a touchdown.
• Defense: Held Virginia-Lynchburg to -42 yards rushing; Matthew Leavelle led the defense with 6 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 3.5 tackles for loss.

NCCU heads into their bye week before resuming conference play, riding the momentum of one of their most dominant performances of the season.

For more on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.

North Carolina Central University’s volleyball team heads back on the road this weekend facing Delaware State University (Friday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m.) and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Sunday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m.).

COMING UP:

Friday, Oct. 11 – 6 p.m.

NC Central at Delaware State

Memorial Hall Gym, Dover, Del.

Live Stats |

Sunday, Oct. 13 – 1 p.m.

NC Central at Maryland Eastern Shore

Hytche Arena, Princess Anne, Md.

Live Stats | Delmarva Sports Network

NC CENTRAL COURT

NCCU (3-12 Overall, 1-3 MEAC) looks to bounce back in the next set of games after falling in two MEAC matchups last weekend against Morgan State University, 3-0 and Coppin State University, 3-1.

In the latter of the two matches, junior Kamren Harper extended her double-digit kills streak to five matches in a row leading all attackers with 20 kills versus Coppin State. Junior Emmie Modlin earned a 12-kill, 14-dig double-double in the same match.

The Eagles are in the top 100 nationally in aces per set (92^nd – 1.68), team attacks per set (69^th – 36.07), team service aces (81^st – 99) and team total attacks (92^nd – 2,128). NC Central leads the MEAC in digs per set steered by junior Gabriela Felix-Baeza who is third in the MEAC in total digs (189). Senior Bella Dearinger leads the conference in total assists (487).

The DSU Hornets and UMES Hawks each lead the series against NCCU. Delaware State has a 10-4 record when facing the Eagles and Maryland Eastern Shore’s record is 14-4.

NCCU Statistical Leaders – Per Set

KILLS: #13 Kamren Harper (3.02) and #36 Emmie Modlin (2.43)

ACES: #35 Gabriela Felix-Baeza (0.44) and #1 Bella Dearinger (0.31)

ASSISTS: #1 Bella Dearinger (8.25)

DIGS: #35 Gabriela Felix-Baeza (3.20) and #36 Emmie Modlin (2.64)

BLOCKS: #18 Kayden Cupid (0.76) and #10 Tayah Little (0.56)

DELAWARE STATE COURT

Delaware State (6-11 Overall, 2-2 MEAC) split its last two conference matches falling to Howard University, 3-0 on the road and shutting out Norfolk State University in straight sets at home.

DSU’s Gerren Tomlin led the Hornets in kills in both matches with 11 against Howard and 18 over Norfolk State. Paige Ahakuelo and Naz Tuncay were the assist leaders versus the Bison and Spartans.

The Hornets are in the top 50 in the nation in team service aces (25^th – 114) and aces per set (50^th – 1.81), led by Tomlin who leads the conference individually and is ranked 17^th nationally in aces per set.

DSU is second in the MEAC in multiple categories including aces per set, team assists, team kills, team service aces and team total attacks. Tomlin is also ranked 11^th nationally and first in the conference in service aces (34).

DSU Statistical Leaders – Per Set

KILLS: #1 Gerren Tomlin (2.85) and #12 Aaliyah Mitchell (2.17)

ACES: #1 Gerren Tomlin (0.54)

ASSISTS: #9 Paige Ahakuelo (5.21) and #17 Naz Tuncay (4.46)

DIGS: #1 Gerren Tomlin (2.48) and Valeria Otero (2.38)

BLOCKS: #30 Hannah Sanders (0.60) and #20 Martyna Kmuk (0.54)

MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE COURT

Maryland Eastern Shore (6-9 Overall, 1-3 MEAC) was shutout in their last two contests on Oct. 4 to Norfolk State and Oct. 6 to Howard.

UMES’ Ranyla Griggs had 12 kills at NSU. Anisa Dorlouis and Isil Yilmaz led the Hawks in assists and digs through both matches. The Hawks are third in the MEAC in blocks per set (1.98) and team total blocks (103) and second in opponent hitting percentage (0.191).

Dorlouis is 12^th in the nation in triple-doubles after securing an 11-kill, 29-assist, 14-dig performance versus Iona University earlier in the season. Valeria Matias is fourth in the MEAC in total digs (188) and Griggs is fifth in the conference in kills per set (2.90).

UMES Statistical Leaders – Per Set

KILLS: #23 Ranyla Griggs (2.96) and #12 Nkemjika Ikemefuna (2.73)

ACES: #6 Anisa Dorlouis (0.27) and #9 Anjola Omolewa (0.22)

ASSISTS: #6 Anisa Dorlouis (6.00) and #19 Tola Maczka (3.27)

DIGS: #1 Valeria Matias (3.84) and #6 Anisa Dorlouis (3.13)

BLOCKS: #18 Lilliana Montes (0.81) and #9 Anjola Omolewa (0.76)

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com, or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.