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First Look: N.C. Central

ATLANTA, Ga. — Three players had rushing touchdowns as the North Carolina Central football team opened the 2025 season with a 31-14 win over Southern on Saturday in the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off at Center Parc Stadium.

The Eagles (1-0) have won their second straight MEAC/SWAC Challenge appearance. MEAC teams are 12-7 all-time in the season-opening contest.

Box Score

The Eagles, who will face the University of New Hampshire on Saturday night (6). took the game’s opening drive 80 yards and grabbed an early 7-0 lead following a 1-yard run by Arthur Rodgers, Jr. The touchdown came after an 18-yard run by quarterback Walker Harris.

Southern responded on the ensuing drive, when Cam’Ron McCoy ran 69 yards to help tie the game with 6:26 left in the first quarter.

The Eagles responded and regained the lead on a 31-yard field goal by Kaleb Robison to make it 10-7 in the closing minutes of the first half.

On the next drive, Trey Holly ran 80 yards for a touchdown to give the Jaguars a 14-10 lead, but that lead was short-lived in what turned out to be an eventful close to the half.

Chris Mosley took the ball 49 yards in nine seconds on the ensuing drive, giving the lead back to the Eagles. Following a successful PAT by Robison, the Eagles led 17-14 at the break.

After forcing Southern into a 3-and-out to open the second half, the Eagles got great field position on a 7-yard  punt from the Jaguars (0-1). Needing just 34 yards to find the end zone, NCCU took six plays before Harris threw his first touchdown pass of 2025, a 3-yard completion to Kyle Morgan.

With 10:59 left in the quarter, the Eagles led 24-14.

Aleni Mageo extended the Eagles’ lead to 31-14 after a 6-yard run late in the third quarter. From there, NCCU’s defense took care of the rest, as Southern went scoreless for the final 31:57 of the game.

The Eagles racked up 414 yards of total offense, 231 of which came on the ground. All three running backs who saw action found the end zone, and Mosley had a career night with 174 yards on the ground.

Harris completed 19 passes for 183 yards and a score.

Thomas Johnson led the Eagles defensively with seven tackles (two for loss), a quarterback hurry, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

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