Eagles Dominate Howard For NCCU Homecoming

DURHAM, N.C. – Eagles junior quarterback Davius Richard became the third player in NCCU football history to combine for over 7,000 total career yards as the NC Central Eagles defeated the Howard Bison 50-21 on Saturday at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

Saturday’s game served as both homecoming and senior day for the Eagles.

North Carolina Central University junior quarterback Davius Richard passed for 281 yards and three touchdowns and added 104 rushing yards with two trips to the end zone.

The home victory extends NCCU’s home win streak to six consecutive wins. 

The Eagles are now atop the MEAC standings with an overall record of 7-2 and a 3-1 conference mark.

NCCU amassed 497 yards of total offense, averaging 7.6 yards per snap. The Eagles registered several explosive offensive plays, including touchdown receptions of 73 yards by E.J. Hicks and 64 yards by Devin Smith, and a 66-yard rush by Richard.

Hicks finished with four catches for 108 yards, while Smith had three grabs for 82 yards. On the ground for the Eagles, Latrell Collier muscled his way to 50 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, while J’Mari Taylor added 52 rushing yards and a 27-yard touchdown catch.

NCCU kicker Adrian Olivo connected on a pair of field goals, including a 43-yarder to match his career-long, and made all six extra-point kicks.

Defensively, the Eagles held Howard to only 99 rushing yards and 179 passing yards. NCCU changed the momentum with interceptions by defensive lineman Christian Smith and defensive back Isaiah Lawson. Linebackers Jaki Brevard and Max U’Ren topped the team with six tackles apiece, while Tamaurice Smith and Colby Warrior each accounted for 1.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage.

The Eagles have now defeated Howard in their last 10 matchups.

NCCU will look to return back to the Celebration Bowl as they head on the road to face the Norfolk State Spartans next Saturday, November 12th at 2 pm with a chance to clinch the MEAC Championship.