2024 North Carolina Central Eagles football team

The 2024 North Carolina Central Eagles football team represented North Carolina Central University as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Eagles were led by fifth-year head coach Trei Oliver, and played home games at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.

2024 North Carolina Central Eagles football
Conference	Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Ranking
FCS Coaches	No. 23
Record	8–3 (4–1 MEAC)
Head coach	Trei Oliver (5th season)
Offensive coordinator	Matt Leone (4th season)
Defensive coordinator	Courtney Coard (3rd season)
Home stadium	O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium
Seasons ← 2023 2025 →

2024 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 24 South Carolina State $		5	–	0					9	–	3
North Carolina Central		4	–	1					8	–	3
Morgan State		3	–	2					6	–	6
Norfolk State		2	–	3					4	–	8
Howard		1	–	4					4	–	8
Delaware State		0	–	5					1	–	11
$ – Conference champion Rankings from STATS Poll

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 1	3:00 p.m.	vs. Alabama State*		Hard Rock Stadium Miami Gardens, FL (Orange Blossom Classic)	ESPN	W 31–24	10,256
September 7	6:00 p.m.	Elon*		O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium Durham, NC	ESPN+	L 19–41	5,706
September 14	6:00 p.m.	at North Carolina*		Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill, NC	ACC Network	L 10–45	45,491
September 21	7:00 p.m.	North Carolina A&T*		O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium Durham, NC (rivalry)	ESPNU	W 66–24	14,400
September 28	3:00 p.m.	vs. Norfolk State		Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, IN (Circle City Classic)	ESPNU	W 37–10	N/A
October 5	4:00 p.m.	at Campbell*		Barker–Lane Stadium Buies Creek, NC	FloSports	W 45–14	4,415
October 12	2:00 p.m.	Virginia–Lynchburg*	No. 25	O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium Durham, NC	ESPN+	W 68–0	5,500
October 26	3:00 p.m.	Morgan State	No. 20	O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium Durham, NC	ESPN+	W 16–7	13,910
October 31	7:30 p.m.	at South Carolina State	No. 19	Oliver C. Dawson Stadium Orangeburg, SC	ESPN2	L 21–24	11,169
November 15	8:00 p.m.	Howard		O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium Durham, NC	ESPNU	W 26–3	5,429
November 23	1:00 p.m.	at Delaware State		Alumni Stadium Dover, DE	ESPN+	W 52–10	2,313
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

^[1][2]

Game summaries

vs. Alabama State

See also: 2024 Alabama State Hornets football team and Orange Blossom Classic

Game One – North Carolina Central Eagles (0–0) vs Alabama State Hornets (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	0	0	0	0	0
Hornets	0	0	0	0	0

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

• Date: Sunday September 1, 2024
• Game time: 3:00 PM
• TV announcers (ESPN): Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Jay Walker (analyst)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	NCCU	ALST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Carolina Central	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Alabama State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Elon

See also: 2024 Elon Phoenix football team

Game Two – Elon Phoenix (0–1) at North Carolina Central Eagles (1–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Phoenix	0	0	0	0	0
Eagles	0	0	0	0	0

at O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium • Durham, NC

• Date: Saturday, September 7, 2024
• Game time: 6:00 p.m.
• TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	ELON	NCCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Elon	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
North Carolina Central	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at North Carolina (FBS)

See also: 2024 North Carolina Tar Heels football team

Game Three – North Carolina Central Eagles (1–1) at North Carolina Tar Heels (FBS) (2–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	7	3	0	0	10
Tar Heels (FBS)	0	17	0	28	45

at Kenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

• Date: Saturday September 14, 2024
• Game time: 6:00 PM
• Game weather: Cloudy • 78 °F (26 °C) • Wind: NE at 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)
• Game attendance: 45,491
• Referee: Marcus Woods
• TV announcers (ACCNX/ESPN+): Kevin Fitzgerald, Charlie Strong and Ashley Stroehlein

Game information

First quarter (7:32) NCCU – J'Mari Taylor 5-yard run (Juan Velarde kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 7:28; NCCU 7-0) Second quarter (14:38) UNC – Omarion Hampton 11-yard run (Liam Boyd kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 41 yards, 1:15; 7-7) (10:06) UNC — Omarion Hampton 2-yard run (Liam Boyd kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 3:35; North Carolina 14-7) (5:51) UNC — Liam Boyd 36-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 2:17; North Carolina 17-7) (0:00) NCCU - Juan Velarde 35-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 47 yards, 5:51; North Carolina 17-10) Third quarter no scoring Fourth quarter (14:12) UNC — John Copenhaver 23-yard pass from Jacolby Criswell (Liam Boyd kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 1:41; North Carolina 24-10) (10:42) UNC — Omarion Hampton 4-yard run (Liam Boyd kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 30 yards, 1:59; North Carolina 31-10) (5:59) UNC — Davion Gause 1-yard run (Liam Boyd kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 56 yards, 2:34; North Carolina 38-10) (0:38) UNC — Charleston French 45-yard run (Liam Boyd kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 71 yards, 1:28; North Carolina 45-10)

Statistics	NCCU	UNC
First downs	16	26
Total yards	167	513
Rushing yards	76	330
Passing yards	91	183
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	9-21-1	16-29-0
Time of possession	33:41	26:19

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Carolina Central	Passing	Walker Harris	7/15, 88 yards
	Rushing	J'Mari Taylor	21 carries, 46 yards, TD
	Receiving	Chance Peterson	5 receptions, 60 yards
North Carolina	Passing	Jacolby Criswell	14/23, 161 yards, TD
	Rushing	Omarion Hampton	25 carries, 210 yards, 3 TD
	Receiving	John Copenhaver	6 receptions, 60 yards, TD

North Carolina A&T (rivalry)

See also: 2024 North Carolina A&T Aggies football team and North Carolina A&T–North Carolina Central football rivalry

Game Four – North Carolina A&T Aggies (1–2) at North Carolina Central Eagles (1–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Aggies	0	0	0	0	0
Eagles	0	0	0	0	0

at O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium • Durham, NC

• Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
• Game time: 7:00 p.m.
• TV announcers (ESPNU): Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Jay Walker (analyst)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	NCAT	NCCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Carolina A&T	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
North Carolina Central	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. Norfolk State

See also: 2024 Norfolk State Spartans football team and Circle City Classic

Game Five – North Carolina Central Eagles (2–2) vs Norfolk State Spartans (2–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	0	0	0	0	0
Spartans	0	0	0	0	0

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

• Date: Saturday September 28, 2024
• Game time: 3:00 PM
• Game weather: none (indoor stadium)
• TV announcers (ESPNU): Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Jay Walker (analyst)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	NCCU	NORF
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Carolina Central	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Norfolk State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Campbell

See also: 2024 Campbell Fighting Camels football team

Game Six – North Carolina Central Eagles (3–2) vs Campbell Fighting Camels (2–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	0	0	0	0	0
Fighting Camels	0	0	0	0	0

at Barker-Lane Stadium, Buies Creek, North Carolina

• Date: Saturday October 5, 2024
• Game time: 4:00 PM
• TV: FloSports

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	NCCU	CAM
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Carolina Central	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Campbell	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

VUL (NCCAA)

See also: VUL Dragons football

Game Seven – VUL Dragons (NCCAA) (0–4) at No. 25 North Carolina Central Eagles (4–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Dragons (NCCAA)	0	0	0	0	0
No. 25 Eagles	0	0	0	0	0

at O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium • Durham, NC

• Date: Saturday October 12, 2024
• Game time: 2:00 p.m.
• TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	VUL	NCCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
VUL	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
North Carolina Central	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Morgan State

See also: 2024 Morgan State Bears football team

Game Eight – Morgan State Bears (3–4) at No. 20 North Carolina Central Eagles (5–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	0	0	0	0
No. 20 Eagles	0	0	0	0	0

at O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium • Durham, NC

• Date: Saturday October 26, 2024
• Game time: 3:00 p.m.
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Jason Ross Jr. (play-by-play) and Tyoka Jackson (analyst)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MORG	NCCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Morgan State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
North Carolina Central	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at South Carolina State

See also: 2024 South Carolina State Bulldogs football team

Game Nine – No. 19 North Carolina Central Eagles (6–2) vs South Carolina State Bulldogs (5–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 19 Eagles	0	0	0	0	0
Bulldogs	0	0	0	0	0

at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, Orangeburg, South Carolina

• Date: Thursday October 31, 2024
• Game time: 7:30 PM
• TV announcers (ESPN2): Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Jay Walker (analyst)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	NCCU	SCST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Carolina Central	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
South Carolina State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Howard

See also: 2024 Howard Bison football team

Game Ten – Howard Bison (4–6) at North Carolina Central Eagles (6–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bison	3	0	0	0	3
Eagles	0	6	7	13	26

at O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium • Durham, NC

• Date: Friday November 15, 2024
• Game time: 8:00 p.m.
• Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 50 °F (10 °C) • Wind: NW 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/h)
• Game attendance: 5,429
• Referee: Derek Hatten
• TV announcers (ESPNU): Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Jay Walker (analyst)

Game information

First quarter (0:09) HOW – Dylan West 36-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 4:09; Howard 3–0) Second quarter (0:23) NCCU – Chris Mosley 12-yard pass from Walker Harris (Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards, 2:14; North Carolina Central 6–3) Third quarter (7:44) NCCU – J'Mari Taylor 61-yard run, Juan Velarde kick (Drive: 2 plays, 76 yards, 0:46; North Carolina Central 13–3) Fourth quarter (13:33) NCCU – J'Mari Taylor 18-yard run, Juan Velarde kick (Drive: 5 plays, 33 yards, 2:44; North Carolina Central 20–3) (6:14) NCCU – J'Mari Taylor 40-yard run (Drive: 4 plays, 79 yards, 2:23; North Carolina Central 26–3)

Statistics	HOW	NCCU
First downs	9	27
Total yards	121	563
Rushing yards	38	242
Passing yards	83	321
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	11–26–0	20–36–2
Time of possession	26:54	32:51

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Howard	Passing	Ja'Shawn Scroggins	11/26, 83 yards
	Rushing	Jarett Hunter	8 carries, 29 yards
	Receiving	Isiah Williams	3 receptions, 29 yards
North Carolina Central	Passing	Walker Harris	20/35, 321 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	J'Mari Taylor	24 carries, 206 yards, 3 TD
	Receiving	J'Mari Taylor	6 receptions, 78 yards

at Delaware State

See also: 2024 Delaware State Hornets football team

Game Eleven – North Carolina Central Eagles (7–3) vs Delaware State Hornets (1–10) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	0	0	0	0	0
Hornets	0	0	0	0	0

at Alumni Stadium, Dover, Delaware

• Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
• Game time: 1:00 PM
• TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	NCCU	DSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Carolina Central	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Delaware State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving