Harris Throws Five TDs To Lead NCCU To Victory Over Mississippi Valley State

Indianapolis – Walker Harris passed for 263 yards and five touchdowns, the most by a North Carolina Central University quarterback in 18 years, as No. 18 NCCU soared to a 45-3 victory over Mississippi Valley State University in the Circle City Classic inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

Harris (Rolesville, N.C.) completed 17 of 28 passes and rushed for 32 yards, averaging 8.0 yards per carry. His five touchdowns through the air are the most by an Eagle since Aug. 27, 2005, when Adrian Warren set the NCCU game record with seven touchdown passes versus Edward Waters.

Harris spread the wealth with five Eagles catching at least two passes. Twan Flip Jr. topped the group with four receptions for 89 yards, then Devin Smith with three catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. Chauncey Spikes and Joaquin Davis collected two touchdowns each.

On the ground, Latrell Collier charged NCCU with 75 yards on 16 carries, while J’Mari Taylor contributed 36 yards and a touchdown run. NCCU finished with 416 yards of total offense.

Defensively, sophomore defensive end Kendrick DuJour and sophomore linebacker Jayden Flaker spent significant time in the Mississippi Valley State’s backfield. Of DuJour’s six total tackles, 3.5 were stops for a loss with 2.0 sacks while also breaking up three passes. Flaker posted four tackles with 1.5 sacks, including a forced fumble. 

Senior safety Manny Smith tallied five takedowns and an interception as the Eagles kept the Delta Devils out of the end zone and held them to 216 yards of total offense.

NCCU senior Adrian Olivo accounted for nine points with a career-long 47-yard field goal and six extra-point kicks.

After road trips to the Rose Bowl and Lucas Oil Stadium, NCCU (3-1) returns to O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium to host Campbell University on Sept. 30 at 4 p.m.