North Carolina Central Opens MEAC Play Against Delaware State on ESPN2

The Eagles look to snap a four-game losing streak, while the Hornets aim for a second straight victory over NCCU.

DOVER, Del. — North Carolina Central gets a fresh start in the conference race Friday when the Eagles visit Delaware State for their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m., with national television coverage on ESPN2.

NCCU enters at 2–5 after a difficult finish to its non-conference schedule. Delaware State stands at 4–3 in its second season under head coach DeSean Jackson, setting up a matchup between teams picked to finish near the top of the MEAC.

The Eagles were selected second in the preseason conference poll behind defending champion South Carolina State. Delaware State received two first-place votes and was picked third.

Friday marks the 32nd meeting between the programs in a series that began in 1945. NCCU holds a 23–8 advantage and has won 10 of the last 12 matchups. Delaware State, however, took last season’s meeting 35–26 at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium, handing Eagles head coach Trei Oliver his first loss to the Hornets in six tries.

NCCU will look to carry its improved rushing production into conference play. Despite falling 17–14 to William & Mary during homecoming on October 10, the Eagles rushed for a season-high 282 yards.

Running back Gino Addison led the way with 169 yards on 22 carries. Quarterback Cobey Thompkins added 98 rushing yards, including a 68-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The production kept NCCU within reach, but the Eagles were unable to avoid their fourth consecutive defeat.

Conference play has traditionally brought success under Oliver. NCCU is 22–11 against MEAC opponents during his tenure, including four consecutive 4–1 league finishes from 2021 through 2024. The Eagles went 3–2 in conference play last season.

Oliver also guided NCCU to the 2022 MEAC championship and a Celebration Bowl victory over Jackson State. Now in his seventh season leading his alma mater, he is the MEAC’s longest-tenured head coach and the longest-serving current head coach in HBCU Division I football.

Winning away from home will be another important part of the Eagles’ push. NCCU is 18–19 on the road under Oliver after its September 26 loss at East Carolina. The program finished .500 or better away from home in each of the previous three seasons, including a 5–1 road record last year.

Delaware State enters Friday following a 34–0 victory over Franklin Pierce on October 10. The Hornets have alternated wins and losses throughout the season and will try to put together consecutive victories against an opponent they defeated a year ago.

Quarterback Ui Ale leads the Hornets’ offense, ranking second in the MEAC with 175 passing yards per game. He has thrown for 1,050 yards and four touchdowns while completing nearly 61 percent of his passes. Ale also contributes 42.5 rushing yards per game, giving Delaware State another option on the ground.

Defensively, safety Kemari Nix ranks second in the conference with 47 tackles, averaging 6.7 per game. His production includes 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Jackson’s first season established a higher standard for the Hornets. Delaware State won eight games and finished 4–1 in the MEAC in 2025, producing the program’s best season since 2007. The former NFL receiver is now working to turn that breakthrough into sustained success.

For NCCU, Friday offers a chance to end its losing streak and begin the conference schedule with a victory. For Delaware State, it is an opportunity to build momentum and earn another win over a familiar MEAC contender.