ATLANTA, Ga. — Three different Eagles had rushing touchdowns Saturday evening, and the North Carolina Central football team opened the 2025 season with a 31-14 win over Southern 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.
The Eagles took the game’s opening drive 80 yards, taking up nearly half the first quarter before taking an early 7-0 lead following a 1-yard run by Arthur Rodgers, Jr. The touchdown came behind an 18-yard run by quarterback Walker Harris.
Southern responded on the ensuing drive, when Cam’Ron McCoy ran 69 yards to tie the game with 6:26 left in the first quarter.
But the Eagles responded, taking the lead back on a 31-yard field goal by kicker 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 endzone, NCCU took six plays before quarterback Walker 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 on Saturday, 231 of which came on the ground. All three running backs who saw action found the endzone, 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.
The Eagles will hold their 2025 home opener on Saturday, Aug. 30, when they welcome New Hampshire to O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., and the game will air live on ESPN+.
With the Win…
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NC Central improves to 2-0 all-time against Southern.
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The Eagles are now 48-51-1 in season openers and 5-1 under head coach Trei Oliver.
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NCCU is now 5-3 against teams from the SWAC since rejoining the MEAC in 2010.
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Oliver is now 5-1 against teams from the SWAC.
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NCCU is now 2-1 in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. This is their second straight win in the event, after defeating Alcorn State 24-14 in 2021.
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Oliver is 7-0 in classics and special games, and the Eagles have won their last three games in Atlanta.
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Olivier is now 19-12 in non-conference games.
Game Notes
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Running back Arthur Rodgers, Jr. recorded his first career rushing touchdown.
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Kicker Kaleb Robison made his first career field goal, a 31-yard attempt in the 2nd quarter.
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Running back Chris Mosley recorded his first 100-yard rushing game of his NCCU career, finishing with 174 yards rushing.
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All three running backs scored a touchdown.
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Mosley was named Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off MVP.
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With 414 yards of total offense, the Eagles have recorded at least 400 yards in seven of the last nine games.
