NCCU Faces Old Nemesis In Non-Conference Battle This Saturday
GREENSBORO, NC – In back-to-back weeks, North Carolina Central will face an old nemesis.
A week ago, it was former CIAA foe Winston-Salem State in Durham, N.C. NCCU came from behind with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to win 20-13.
This Saturday, it will be former Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) foe North Carolina A&T State, as the two in-state rivals square off in the renewal of the Aggie-Eagle Classic in Greensboro, N.C. The only thing different this time around is that the two won’t be fighting for positioning in the MEAC standings. According to NCCU head coach Trei Oliver, playing in different conferences won’t take away from the intensity of the rivalry.
“They say it’s hard to get your team up two weeks in a row for big games,” Oliver said. “Being that we didn’t really play the way I would have liked last week, hopefully, it won’t be a problem getting up for those Aggies. The guys know what this rivalry is all about and what the matchup is. We as a coaching staff just have to do a good job to make sure that the guys are prepared. The guys are going to be excited. I’m sure A&T will be excited. That’s why the young men come to North Carolina Central and North Carolina A&T – because you can play in these types of games.”
In North Carolina Central’s game at rival North Carolina A&T State on Saturday, NCCU will be looking for its best start in four years, while NCAT will be trying to avoid its worst start in 11 years. In this rivalry, however, team records can be thrown out the window. This game shapes up to be another Hatfields versus McCoy’s duel. “This will be another dogfight,” Oliver said. “It’s an in-state rivalry and the teams are 45 minutes apart. It’s a lot of history between the two programs. It’s been some chippy ballgames and a lot of trash talk. I’d like to say it’s a love-hate relationship, but it might be a hate-hate relationship. It’s going to be a good one. They’re a championship football team and we have to play much better this week than we did this past weekend to be able to match up against those guys.”
Will NCCU continue its winning streak and defeat another nemesis this week? Spectacular Magazine predicts a victory but it will be a close one.