NCCU Secures Commanding 26-3 Victory Over Howard, Keeps MEAC Championship Hopes Alive
DURHAM, NC – North Carolina Central University (NCCU) showcased formidable resilience on Friday night, securing a decisive 26-3 win against Howard University at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium. This victory revitalizes the Eagles’ aspirations for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship and a potential berth in the Celebration Bowl.
The game began with Howard striking first, as Dylan West nailed a 36-yard field goal late in the first quarter. However, NCCU struggled early in the red zone, missing a 34-yard field goal and fumbling at Howard’s 3-yard line. A blocked field goal further compounded their troubles, leaving the Eagles trailing.
NCCU finally gained momentum late in the second quarter when quarterback Walker Harris connected with Chris Mosley for a 12-yard touchdown pass, giving the Eagles a narrow 6-3 lead at halftime.
As the second half unfolded, the NCCU offense found its rhythm, largely propelled by junior running back J’Mari Taylor. Taylor electrified the stadium with a stunning 61-yard touchdown run, increasing the Eagles’ lead to 13-3. He later added two more rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter from 18 and 40 yards, concluding the game with an impressive 206 rushing yards on 24 carries.
Defensively, NCCU was relentless, limiting Howard to a mere 121 total yards, with six sacks, and effectively stifling their offense as the Bison failed to convert any of their 13 third-down attempts.
With this victory, NCCU improves to 7-3 overall and 3-1 in MEAC play. The Eagles are still in the hunt for the MEAC title, contingent upon South Carolina State losing their remaining games. A win for the Bulldogs would eliminate NCCU from championship contention and secure a Celebration Bowl spot for them.
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Photo credit hbcugameday.com
