Matchup Overview
Two proud HBCU packages collide this Saturday in a non-conference showdown that guarantees depth and regional bragging rights. Fayetteville State (0–2) is seeking to rebound after a tricky opening loss, whereas NC Central (1–2) goals to construct momentum following a dominant win over Southern and a setbacks towards New Hampshire and Old Dominion.
This matchup is steeped in HBCU soccer custom, courting again to October 3, 196, when NC Central edged Fayetteville State 8–0 of their first assembly. Since then, the 2 packages have met 33 occasions, with NC Central main the all-time collection 25–8.
Game Details
- Kickoff: 6:00 PM ET
- Location: O’Kelly Riddick Stadium, Durham, NC
- Broadcast: ESPN+
Series Highlights:
Largest Victory: Fayetteville State 45–7 (2003)
Closest Game: Fayetteville State 14–13 (2001)
Longest Win Streak: NC Central, 6 video games (1980–1986)
Last Meeting: NC Central gained 54–31 (2012)
Last 10 Matchups (2000–2012): Tied 5–5
Fayetteville State at Home: 3–11
Fayetteville State on the Road: 5–10
This would be the first assembly between the 2 colleges in over a decade, reigniting a regional rivalry that has seen its share of blowouts, nail-biters, and dramatic finishes.
Keys to the Game
- Stop Chris Mosley’s Momentum: Mosley has been electrical, speeding for 352 yards on 55 carries (6.4 avg) by three video games. He’s accountable for practically half of NCCU’s speeding manufacturing and is averaging 117 yards per recreation. Fayetteville State should stack the field and power NCCU to beat them by the air.
- Pressure Walker Harris Without Overcommitting: Harris has accomplished 55.8% of his passes for 459 yards, 2 TDs, and three INT. While environment friendly, he is not overly cell—simply 1 web speeding yards on 16 makes an attempt. FSU’s protection ought to apply strain however keep containment to keep away from giving up large performs by damaged protection.
- Win on Third Down: NCCU has transformed 30.7% of third downs (12-of-39), whereas opponents have transformed simply 30.3%. Fayetteville State should enhance its personal third-down effectivity (simply 45.7%; 16-35) and power NCCU into long-yardage conditions.
- Exploit Special Teams Gaps: NCCU’s punt return common is simply 4.75 yards, whereas opponents common 28.3 yards per return. FSU ought to look to flip subject place with robust returns and keep away from giving up large performs on particular groups.
- Red Zone Efficiency: NCCU has scored on 6 of 9 crimson zone journeys (71%), with 5 touchdowns. Fayetteville State should tighten up defensively contained in the 20 and power subject objective makes an attempt. On offense, FSU should enhance its personal crimson zone scoring fee (4-of-5).
- Limit Penalties: NCCU averages 66 penalty yards per recreation, whereas opponents common 75.6. FSU had 18 penalties for 153 yards. Discipline might be key in a recreation probably determined by subject place and possession.
Players to Watch
- Offense: Running again Bryce Council leads the best way for the Broncos with 116 speeding yards on 23 carries, averaging a stable 5.0 yards per try. His capability to maneuver the chains and break off chunk performs might be key towards NC Central’s entrance. Dual-threat quarterback Demari Daniels has contributed each by the air and on the bottom, throwing for 221 yards and speeding for 77, making him a flexible weapon in Fayetteville State’s assault. Veteran quarterback Joe Owens Jr. has accomplished 73.3% of his passes in restricted motion and brings management and poise to the offense. In the crimson zone, Caden Davis has been a standout, scoring three speeding touchdowns on simply six carries and including seven receptions for 31 yards, showcasing his versatility. Wide receiver Unique Kelly is the highest goal within the passing recreation, hauling in 10 catches for 115 yards, together with an extended reception of 34 yards, and might be a key deep menace.
- Defense: Linebacker Matthew Leach anchors the unit with 17 complete tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, and a fumble restoration, making him a disruptive power within the center. Fellow linebacker Jamari Slade, a preseason All-CIAA choice, has added 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and a go breakup, offering strain and management. In the secondary, Amari Best has recorded 14 tackles and one deal with for loss, whereas Keyshawn Monk has contributed eight tackles, two go breakups, and a quarterback hurry, serving to to lock down opposing receivers.
- Special groups: Tydarion Grier has been explosive within the return recreation, averaging 28.7 yards on kickoff returns with an extended of 46 yards. Kicker and punter John Hernandez-Vargas has dealt with all kicking duties, changing considered one of three subject objective makes an attempt with an extended of 36 yards, averaging 58.0 yards on kickoffs, and 34.5 yards per punt.
What’s at Stake
- Momentum for the Season: NC Central (1–2) is seeking to construct on its win over Southern and bounce again from back-to-back losses. A win would give the Eagles a 2–2 begin and confidence heading into MEAC play. Fayetteville State (0–2) is coming off a shutout loss to Benedict and a 24-31 loss to rival UNC Pembroke. A win over an FCS opponent can be a significant morale increase and will set the tone for a powerful CIAA marketing campaign.
- Player Development and Exposure: This recreation is a showcase alternative for standout gamers like Chris Mosley (NCCU) and Bryce Council (FSU) to shine on a much bigger stage. With ESPN+ protection, scouts and followers alike might be watching.
- Program Prestige: For Fayetteville State, a win over a Division I opponent would elevate this system’s profile and validate its recruiting and growth efforts. For NC Central, a loss might increase questions on consistency and readiness for convention play.
2025 Schedule Highlights
Season Opener: Aug. 30 @ Benedict College (Labor Day Classic, Columbia, SC)
Homecoming: Oct. 11 vs. Livingstone
Senior Day: Nov. 8 vs. Winston-Salem State
CIAA Championship: Nov. 15 in Durham, NC (if certified)
Home Games
- Sept. 27 vs. Virginia State (Military Appreciation/Alumni Day)
- Oct. 11 vs. Livingstone (Homecoming)
- Nov. 1 vs. Johnson C. Smith (Bronco Western Rodeo)
- Nov. 8 vs. Winston-Salem State (Senior Day / BAC Appreciation)
Key Matchups & Rivalries
- North Carolina Central (Sept. 13): Historic rivalry; NCCU gained the final assembly 54-31 in 2012, however FSU goals to upset the MEAC powerhouse
- Bowie State (Oct. 4): FSU gained 27–24 final 12 months, breaking a streak of championship losses to BSU
- Winston-Salem State (Nov. 8): Last 12 months’s recreation went to double time beyond regulation; WSSU gained 37–31
Season recap
Game 1: at Benedict (Aug. 30, 2025)
Result: Loss, 0–10
The Broncos opened the season with a hard-fought defensive battle towards Benedict. Fayetteville State held Benedict to only 254 complete yards and one landing, however struggled offensively, managing solely 282 yards and failing to attain of their lone crimson zone journey. Bryce Council led the speeding assault with 63 yards, whereas Joe Owens Jr. accomplished 11 of 15 passes for 73 yards. Penalties and missed alternatives stored the Broncos off the scoreboard.
Game 2: at UNC Pembroke (Sept. 6, 2025)
Result: Loss, 24–31
Fayetteville State bounced again with a stronger offensive exhibiting, scoring three speeding touchdowns courtesy of Caden Davis. The Broncos totaled 258 yards of offense and transformed all 4 crimson zone journeys. Demari Daniels threw for 119 yards and added 77 on the bottom, whereas Unique Kelly led receivers with 6 catches for 84 yards. Despite the improved efficiency, the protection allowed 424 yards and 4 passing touchdowns, and 11 penalties for 92 yards proved expensive.
Season Totals (0–2 Record)
Points Scored: 24
Points Allowed: 41
Total Offense: 540 yards
Top Performers:
NCCU vs. The CIAA
The Eagles aren’t any strangers to the CIAA, having beforehand been members of the convention on two separate events (1928-70; 1980-2007). NCCU gained eight mixed CIAA soccer titles, together with back-to-back championships in 2005 and 2006. NCCU made three NCAA Div. II playoff appearances whereas CIAA members: 1988, 2005 and 2006. Head coach Trei Oliver is 4-0 towards groups from the CIAA, together with three wins over Winston-Salem State. NCCU final confronted a CIAA squad in 2023, opening the season with a 47-21 win over Winston-Salem State.
NCCU at Home
North Carolina Central is 18-7 at dwelling underneath head coach Trei Oliver, regardless of dropping its dwelling opener two weeks in the past towards New Hampshire. The Eagles have completed with a successful dwelling report in every of the final 4 seasons, together with undefeated dwelling campaigns in 2022 (4-0) and 2023 (5-0). The Eagles went 4-1 at dwelling final season.
Last Time Out
NCCU (1-2) dropped its first true dwelling recreation of the season, falling 54-6 to Old Dominion. Sophomore kicker Kaleb Robison kicked two subject targets for the Eagles, together with a career-best 39-yarder. This marked Robison’s first profession recreation with a number of made subject targets. ODU held the Eagles to only 224 yards of complete offense on the night time and 14 first downs. NCCU turned the ball over 3 times.
Mosley Starting Strong
Running again Chris Mosley has come out of the gates robust within the Eagles’ first two video games. He ran for a game-high 182 yards and a landing within the season opener towards Southern, en path to being named the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off MVP. The efficiency was the primary 100-yard speeding recreation of Mosley’s collegiate profession; Mosley recorded one other 100-yard speeding effort towards New Hampshire, going for 106 yards on 19 carries. Averaging simply over 117 yards a recreation on the bottom, Mosley is at present second within the MEAC in speeding.
Oliver High on Johnson
Oliver expects large issues out of defensive lineman Thomas Johnson this season, his fourth with this system. Johnson, a senior from Lawndale, Calif., has performed in 25 profession video games thus far. In 2024, Johnson had 11 tackles in three video games, together with 5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. Johnson was robust within the season opener towards Southern, with seven tackles (two for loss), a sack, a quarterback hurry, a pressured fumble and a fumble restoration. He added six tackles and 1.5 sacks towards New Hampshire.
Non-Conference Success
N.C. Central is 19-14 in non-conference video games underneath Oliver after this previous weekend’s loss at Old Dominion. Over the final two-plus seasons, the Eagles are 16-6 towards opponents from exterior the MEAC. This contains wins over three high 25 groups (No. 25 Elon [2023], No. 25 New Hampshire [2022], and No. 5 Jackson State [2022]). This season, the Eagles will face opponents from the SWAC, CAA Football, the Sun Belt, the CIAA and the Southland Conference. NCCU will face one FBS opponent this season in Old Dominion.
Watch Out Now
Three Eagles are on the Stats Perform HBCU Player of the Year Watchlist heading into the 2025 season: quarterback Walker Harris, defensive again Malcolm Reed and offensive lineman Trevon Humphrey. All three are Preseason First Team All-MEAC honorees, and Reed can also be a Stats Perform Preseason All-American.
Continuity Up Front
NCCU may have a exceptional stage of expertise alongside the offensive entrance, which is unusual in school soccer lately, particularly within the FCS. In addition to returning quarterback Walker Harris and tight finish Luke Bracey, the Eagles are returning starters in any respect 5 offensive line positions. That contains Preseason All-MEAC honorees Noah McKinney and Trevon Humphrey.