Events
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) EAGLES SOAR IN DOMINANT SHUTOUT VICTORY
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.
One year after bursting onto the HBCU football scene as a potential long-term fixture, the Florida Beach Bowl — the anticipated matchup between the CIAA and SIAC, two historic HBCU Division II conferences — will not occur in 2024. Sources from both conferences confirmed the news to HBCU Gameday, citing funding challenges as the primary reason the bowl game has been temporarily shelved.
The inaugural Florida Beach Bowl took place last December at Fort Lauderdale’s DRV PNK Stadium. Fort Valley State from the SIAC defeated Johnson C. Smith from the CIAA with a 23-10 score. That game streamed on the HBCU Plus Platform, drew an impressive 720,000 viewers, signaling a strong interest in the game and a national audience eager for more HBCU football coverage.
The Florida Beach Bowl had been positioned to revive and expand the legacy of the Pioneer Bowl, the original postseason event for Division II HBCU teams. Established in 1997, the Pioneer Bowl allowed champions or top contenders from the CIAA and SIAC to square off, providing HBCU athletes with a rare bowl stage to showcase their talent, often overlooked by larger college football media coverage. While the game was typically held in the South, with several games taking place in Atlanta, it carried significant weight for HBCU football fans and players alike, celebrating the regional rivalries and athleticism that characterize HBCU sports.
Like its Division I counterpart, the Celebration Bowl — which since 2015 has served as a de facto national championship game for HBCU football at the FCS level — the Florida Beach Bowl aimed to provide the same level of national exposure to Division II HBCU programs. The Celebration Bowl has spotlighted the best of HBCU Division I football, drawing in fans from across the country and significantly elevating the profile of MEAC and SWAC champions in a nationally televised showdown. Similarly, the Florida Beach Bowl was designed to elevate Division II HBCU football, giving fans, athletes, and supporters an equivalent stage to experience the thrill and camaraderie of HBCU postseason competition.
The Pioneer Bowl created countless unforgettable moments, generating support and recognition for Division II HBCU football and helping players gain exposure to scouts, media, and a growing fan base. However, the game faced periodic financial hurdles, leading to intermittent cancellations until it ceased entirely after its 2012 matchup. The Florida Beach Bowl was viewed as the next chapter in this storied history, bringing a new generation of HBCU football to the forefront, with a commitment to both celebrating tradition and expanding the visibility of HBCU athletes nationwide.
While the cancellation of this year’s Florida Beach Bowl has left many disappointed, the vision for the event remains. Both the CIAA and SIAC have expressed continued interest in ensuring Division II HBCU teams have a championship-level platform, knowing that the passion and talent within HBCU football deserve recognition on a national scale.
For now, fans will have to wait as organizers seek solutions to make this game sustainable for the long term. The commitment to honoring the history and achievements of HBCU athletes remains, with hopes that future seasons will see the Florida Beach Bowl restored as a highlight of the HBCU football calendar — a celebration of athletic excellence and community legacy.
DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University’s Juan Velarde has secured his spot as one of 13 finalists for the prestigious Doris Robinson Award, presented by FedEx, which recognizes the top scholar-athlete in FCS football.
Velarde, who graduated in December 2023 with a degree in business administration with a focus on entrepreneurship, is now advancing his studies in NCCU’s MBA program while maintaining an impressive 4.0 GPA. A member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and NCCU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Velarde’s accomplishments extend beyond the classroom. He’s also part of the University Honors Program and serves on the North Carolina Governor’s Advisory Council for Hispanic and Latino Affairs, adding to his impressive résumé.
Known for his impact in the Durham community, Velarde dedicates time to volunteer at local schools, continuing his leadership and service beyond the field.
On the gridiron, Velarde has dominated as a two-time MEAC Specialist of the Week, ranking among the top punters nationwide with a 44.4-yard punt average. With eight of his 31 punts traveling over 50 yards and 11 landing inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, he’s helped shape the field position game for the Eagles. Velarde’s kicking is equally impressive, going 4-for-5 on field goals, including a 43-yard kick against Campbell.
If selected, Velarde would join former defensive lineman Jessie Malit, who won the Doris Robinson Award in 2020, as NCCU’s second honoree. Established in 2015, the Doris Robinson Award honors FCS student-athletes who demonstrate remarkable commitment to their team, academics, and community, upholding the legacy of Doris Robinson, the former schoolteacher and wife of the legendary Grambling coach Eddie Robinson.
In partnership with FedEx, the Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award reinforces a commitment to supporting student-athletes’ future success. FedEx further promotes this mission through the Career Expose – College Pathways Program, offering resources that prepare young leaders for life after college sports.
Finalists will be featured on The Analyst in November, with the award recipient announced on Dec. 10, followed by an awards ceremony at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas. The banquet will also highlight the Walter Payton, Buck Buchanan, Jerry Rice, Eddie Robinson, and the inaugural HBCU FCS Player of the Year Awards.
For all NCCU Athletics updates, check out NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.
Events
President Biden Announces $1.3 Billion Investment into HBCUs at 2024 HBCU Week Conference in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA —
President Joe Biden made a historic announcement at the 2024 HBCU Week Conference in Philadelphia, unveiling an additional $1.3 billion investment into Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The President addressed an enthusiastic crowd at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where he highlighted his administration’s record-breaking support for HBCUs, bringing the total investment to $17 billion since 2021.
“In just four years, working with HBCU leaders, we’re making the most significant investment in Black America ever in American history,” Biden declared to a wave of applause. The new funding will include federal grants to help eight HBCUs expand their efforts to diversify the STEM and education workforce, marking a major step forward in elevating these institutions’ contributions to the nation’s future.
Dietra Trent, Director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs, also underscored the importance of this commitment, stating, “We have never had this kind of investment before.”
HBCU alumni in attendance, like Cheney University graduate Antoine Mapp, expressed their excitement: “We’re finally getting the recognition and funding that we deserve and desperately needed.”
Biden’s remarks also touched on the urgency of protecting democracy, condemning political violence and referencing a recent apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The President closed his speech with a hopeful nod to Vice President Kamala Harris, an HBCU alumna, encouraging voters to support her potential presidential candidacy.
With this unprecedented funding, President Biden is ensuring HBCUs remain a cornerstone of educational excellence and opportunity for generations to come.
Alumni Impact
How to Watch Morehouse College vs. Howard University: TV, Live Stream Info, and Location for the 2024 HBCU NY Classic
By Mary Omatiga
Published: September 12, 2024, 09:00 AM
This Saturday, September 14, Morehouse College takes on Howard University in the 3rd annual HBCU NY Classic, airing live on CNBC and streaming on Peacock. This highly anticipated matchup kicks off the start of HBCU Homecoming week, where fans, students, and alumni will gather at MetLife Stadium for the world’s largest HBCU Homecoming celebration.
Expect a day filled with exciting festivities, including a drumline showcase, step show, and a battle of the bands, all culminating in a halftime performance by Grammy Award-winning artist Sean Paul. Live coverage of the game begins at 3:00 PM ET. Find out how to tune in below.
How to Watch Morehouse College vs. Howard University:
- Date: Saturday, September 14
- Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: CNBC
- Live Stream: Peacock
Game Location:
The game will be held at MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Giants and Jets, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Head-to-Head Matchup:
The Morehouse Tigers and Howard Bison share a fierce rivalry dating back to the 1920s. Here are their most recent results:
- September 10, 2011 – Howard 30, Morehouse 27
- September 1, 2012 – Howard 30, Morehouse 29
- September 7, 2013 – Howard 27, Morehouse 16
- September 13, 2014 – Howard 35, Morehouse 17
- September 9, 2023 – Howard 65, Morehouse 19
What Does HBCU Stand For?
HBCU stands for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, institutions founded with the mission of providing higher education opportunities to Black Americans.
This Saturday, college football fans are in for an exciting Week 1 matchup as the Delaware State Hornets take on the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, Hawaii. The game kicks off at 11:59 p.m. ET and marks the start of a new season for both teams with plenty to prove.
Delaware State University head coach Lee Hull with some of his Hornets at Tuesdays media day. GARY EMEIGH/SPECIAL TO THE DELAWARE STATE NEWS
Delaware State Hornets: Aiming for Redemption
The Delaware State Hornets are looking to turn things around after a challenging 2023 season that saw them finish with a disappointing 1-10 record. The Hornets struggled in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), where they went winless in five conference games. The program has not had a winning season since 2012, when they finished 6-5 overall and 5-3 in the MEAC.
The Hornets’ offense, which averaged just 18 points per game last year, will need to improve significantly if they hope to compete against a strong Hawaii team. New head coach Lee Hull, who took the reins at Delaware State, has been hard at work during the preseason, focusing on revitalizing both sides of the ball. The Hornets will be eager to make a statement on Saturday and set the tone for the rest of the season.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors: Building on Past Success
The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, on the other hand, are coming off a 5-8 season in 2023, where they finished eighth in the Mountain West Conference with a 3-5 conference record. The Rainbow Warriors have been a formidable force against FCS opponents, boasting a 20-game winning streak in such matchups.
Quarterback Brayden Schager led the Mountain West in passing yards (3,542) and touchdowns (26) last season and will be a key player to watch in this game. Schager’s experience and skill make the Rainbow Warriors a tough opponent for the Hornets. Hawaii is eager to return to the form they showed in 2020 when they finished with a winning record and earned a bowl game appearance.
What to Expect in This Matchup
With the Rainbow Warriors listed as 39.5-point favorites, the odds are certainly stacked against Delaware State. However, the start of a new season brings with it a sense of hope and unpredictability. The Hornets, under new leadership, will look to defy the odds and put up a strong fight against a Hawaii team that has shown consistency in these types of matchups.
How to Watch
Fans of both teams can catch the action live. For local audiences in Hawaii, the game will be broadcast on Spectrum Sports pay-per-view. Fans outside of Hawaii can stream the game via the Team1 Sports app by searching for “Hawaii football” in the channels tab.
As the Delaware State Hornets and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors prepare to clash in this Week 1 showdown, both teams have a lot on the line. Whether it’s Hawaii looking to maintain their dominance over FCS teams or Delaware State striving for a fresh start under new leadership, this game promises to be an intriguing start to the college football season.
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