N.C. Central on the Cusp Heading into MEAC Football This Saturday
NORFOLK, Va. – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) enters Week 11 of the 2022 football season with three games on tap this Saturday. While there are still a number of scenarios to play out with two weeks remaining in the regular season, for North Carolina Central, it’s simple: win and earn at least a share of the MEAC title and a trip to the Cricket Celebration Bowl.
Here’s a look at this week’s games.
South Carolina State Bulldogs (3-6, 1-2 MEAC) vs. Howard Bison (3-6, 2-1 MEAC)
Saturday, Nov. 12 ● Greene Stadium ● Washington, D.C. ● 1 p.m.
TV: ESPN3 (re-air on ESPNU at 11 p.m.) ● Live Stats
Howard will return home to take on South Carolina State at Greene Stadium this Saturday after the Bison suffered their first MEAC loss of the season – 50-21 to North Carolina Central — removing them from first place in the conference standings. Still, the Bison remain alive for a shot at the MEAC title – though Howard will have to win its final two games (including Saturday’s tilt against the Bulldogs). The defending MEAC and Cricket Celebration Bowl champion Bulldogs have suffered back-to-back conference losses for the first time since 2017 following this past weekend’s 27-24 overtime loss to visiting Delaware State. This showdown will mark the 49th all-time matchup between the two programs, with the Bulldogs having the upper hand 37-11. Last season, the Bulldogs narrowly defeated the Bison 15-12 en route to the MEAC title.
Morgan State Bears (3-6, 1-2 MEAC) vs. Delaware State Hornets (5-4, 2-2 MEAC)
Saturday, Nov. 12 ● Alumni Stadium ● Dover, Del. ● 2 p.m.
TV: MEAC Digital Network/ESPN+ ● Live Stats
Coming off a narrow non-conference defeat at Stony Brook, Morgan State will head back into MEAC play in Hornet territory hungry for a win in Alumni Stadium this Saturday. The Bears fell 24-22 to Stony Brook on a last-second field goal last weekend, while Delaware State prevailed in a 27-24 overtime victory against South Carolina State (thanks to a game-winning field goal from freshman Nathan Wilson), winning at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium for the first time since 2007 and moving into third place in the conference. The Bears have won most of the competitions between the two, leading the all-time matchup 31-23. Last year’s game ended with a Morgan State victory, 20-14 in a nationally-televised game. Both the Bears and Hornets are still in the thick of the MEAC race, and both teams need this game if they hope to even earn a share of the MEAC crown.
North Carolina Central Eagles (7-2, 3-1 MEAC) vs. Norfolk State Spartans (1-8, 1-2 MEAC)
Saturday, Nov. 12 ● William “Dick” Price Stadium ● Norfolk, Va. ● 2 p.m.
TV: MEAC Digital Network/ESPN+ ● Live Stats
After capturing first place in the MEAC last weekend, North Carolina Central is heading into William “Dick” Price Stadium to face Norfolk State. The Eagles soundly defeated Howard 50-21 on Homecoming this past Saturday, setting them up for an opportunity to represent the MEAC in the Cricket Celebration Bowl (Dec. 18 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.) with a win over the Spartans. North Carolina Central quarterback Davius Richard accumulated 384 yards of total offense ending the day with five total touchdowns (three passing, two rushing). The Spartans are looking to end a three-game skid after falling 49-24 to former MEAC rival North Carolina A&T State last Saturday. A Norfolk State win would throw the MEAC title race into infinite possibilities, and the Spartans still have an outside shot at the title themselves. The Eagles currently lead the all-time series with the Spartans 33-9; last year’s competition ended in double overtime, with North Carolina Central prevailing 38-36.
About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) is in its 52nd year of intercollegiate competition with the 2022-23 academic school year. Located in Norfolk, Va., the MEAC is made up of eight outstanding historically Black institutions across the Atlantic coastline: Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University, and South Carolina State University.
Feature Photo Credit: Lawrence Davis III