NCCU Returns Home to Face Howard as Both Teams Seek 2 and 0 MEAC Start

NCCU Returns Home to Face Howard as Both Teams Seek 2 and 0 MEAC Start

The Eagles look to build on their win over Delaware State as the Bison arrive in Durham with two straight victories.

DURHAM, N.C. North Carolina Central and Howard will meet Saturday with both teams looking to stay unbeaten in conference play. Kickoff at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m., with live coverage on ESPN+.

The Eagles enter at 3 and 5 overall and 1 and 0 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference after defeating Delaware State 31 to 12. Howard comes in at 4 and 4 overall and 1 and 0 in the MEAC following a 26 to 20 overtime victory over Morgan State.

Saturday marks the 30th meeting between the programs. NCCU holds an 18 to 10 series advantage with one tie and has won 12 of the last 13 matchups. Eagles head coach Trei Oliver is 5 and 1 against the Bison.

Freshman running back Gino Addison gives NCCU plenty of momentum heading into the matchup. He rushed for a career best 214 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries against Delaware State, helping the Eagles end a four game losing streak.

That performance followed a 169 yard outing against William & Mary, giving Addison consecutive games above 100 rushing yards. He has totaled 456 yards and three touchdowns on 66 carries this season.

Quarterback Cobey Thompkins added 155 passing yards and a touchdown against the Hornets. NCCU finished with 427 total yards, marking its second consecutive game with at least 400 yards of offense.

The Eagles have also made takeaways a major part of their defense. According to NCCU’s game notes, the team leads the Football Championship Subdivision with 18 turnovers gained through eight games, including eight fumble recoveries and 10 interceptions.

Freshman defensive back Amari Sifford intercepted two passes against Delaware State, bringing his season total to three. Junior defensive lineman Zarion Walters has added two fumble recoveries.

Howard arrives with momentum of its own under first year head coach Ted White, a former Bison quarterback. The team has won two straight games after being picked to finish sixth in the MEAC preseason poll.

Quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins averages 136.5 passing yards per game and has thrown six touchdown passes. Running back Eden James, a preseason First Team All-MEAC selection, averages just under 40 rushing yards per game. Kaleb Gallop leads Howard’s defense with 44 tackles.

For NCCU, Saturday offers a chance to respond at home after a narrow 17 to 14 Homecoming loss to William & Mary on October 10. The Eagles are 22 and 11 at home under Oliver and have posted winning home records in four of the last five seasons.

Picked to finish second behind defending champion South Carolina State, NCCU is looking to remain near the front of the conference race. The Eagles are 23 and 11 in MEAC play under Oliver, whose tenure includes the 2022 conference championship and a Celebration Bowl victory over Jackson State.

The matchup also features the MEAC’s two head coaches leading their alma maters. Oliver returned to NCCU as head coach in December 2018, while White took over at Howard in January 2026.

With both programs coming off conference wins, Saturday gives each an opportunity to strengthen its position early in the MEAC schedule.

Tags: North Carolina Central University, NCCU Eagles, Howard University, Howard Bison, MEAC Football, HBCU Football, HBCU Sports, HBCU Original, Gino Addison, Trei Oliver, Ted White, Cobey Thompkins, Amari Sifford, College Football, Durham North Carolina