The 2025 HBCU football season kicked off with the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, as the North Carolina Central University Eagles powered past the Southern University Jaguars, 31–14, in front of 16,191 fans at Center Parc Stadium on Saturday night in Atlanta, GA. Behind a dominant rushing attack and a stifling defense, the Eagles secured their second consecutive MEAC/SWAC Challenge victory and set the tone for the season ahead.
Eagles Ground Game Takes Flight
From the opening drive, NCCU made it clear their strength was in the trenches. Running back Arthur Rodgers Jr. capped an 80-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run — the first HBCU touchdown of the season — giving the Eagles an early 7–0 lead.
Southern, however, quickly answered with explosive plays. Transfer quarterback Cam’Ron McCoy sprinted 69 yards to even the score before former LSU running back Trey Holly electrified the Jaguars sideline with an 80-yard touchdown run to give Southern a 14–10 advantage late in the first half.
But the Eagles had the final word before the break. Chris Mosley, who became the star of the night, ripped off a 49-yard touchdown run, reclaiming momentum and sending NCCU into halftime with a 17–14 lead.
Mosley Earns MVP Honors
Mosley dominated on the ground, finishing with 15 carries for 174 yards and a touchdown to earn MEAC/SWAC Challenge MVP honors. His ability to punish the Jaguars defense and break off big runs set the tone for a balanced NCCU offense that racked up 414 total yards (231 rushing, 183 passing).
Harris Leads Balanced Attack
Quarterback Walker Harris efficiently guided the Eagles, throwing for 183 yards and a touchdown. His 3-yard scoring strike to Kyle Morgan in the third quarter pushed the lead to 24–14. Moments later, running back Aleni Mageo capped another strong drive with a 6-yard touchdown run, sealing the 31–14 victory.
All three NCCU running backs — Rodgers, Mosley, and Mageo — scored touchdowns, a testament to the strength of the Eagles’ offensive line and depth in the backfield.
Defense Clamps Down
After surrendering two long touchdown runs in the first half, NCCU’s defense locked in, shutting out Southern for the final 31 minutes and 57 seconds of the game. The Eagles’ front seven applied consistent pressure, forcing the Jaguars into stalled drives and keeping their playmakers bottled up.
Building a Tradition of Success
With the win, head coach Trei Oliver improves to 2–0 in MEAC/SWAC Challenge appearances, having also led the Eagles to a 23–14 victory over Alcorn State in 2021. The MEAC now holds a 12–7 all-time record in the Challenge.
More importantly, the Eagles (1–0) walk away from Atlanta with confidence, proving that their run game and defensive identity make them a team to watch in 2025.
