The 14th edition of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge was a tale of two halves, as North Carolina Central University's second-half rally fell short in a 40-24 loss to Prairie View A&M University on Sunday at Georgia State Stadium.
 
NCCU started they game slowly, giving up three touchdowns in the first quarter. However, the Eagles ended the first half with a late touchdown and a blocked field goal on the final play of the half.
 
The Eagles kept their momentum from the end of the first half going as they added 14 points in the third quarter and slowed down the Panthers' offense, only allowing a field goal.
 
In the fourth quarter, NCCU could not complete the comeback. The Eagles scored a field goal, but the Panthers answered with two touchdowns and interception.
 
The NCCU offense showed a balanced attack throughout the game with 42 passes and 36 rushes.  That led to multiple Eagles having good games.
 
First-year NCCU head coach Granville Eastman said, "Our guys demonstrated a fighting spirit. That is something we will feed off of going forward and that gives us a lot to build on."
 
NCCU running backs sophomore Isaiah Totten and freshman Jamal Currie-Elliott combined for 99 rushing yards and a touchdown.
 
Sophomore quarterback Chauncey Caldwell threw for 269 yards, completing 24 of 42 passes with two touchdowns and an interception, while adding 24 rushing yards.
 
The Panthers offense was led by junior quarterback Jalen Morton, who threw for 264 yards, completing 19 of 35 passes for two touchdowns. Morton also added 72 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
 
The Panthers also received contributions from their junior running back Dawonya Tucker, who rushed for 267 yards and one score.
 
NCCU played a lot of young talent that the coaching staff is looking to develop during the season.
 
"We played some young men that grew up today," Eastman said. "We started a few true freshmen, redshirt freshmen and sophomores."
 
The Eagles made some mistakes that the coaching staff would like to minimize moving forward.
 
"I was not pleased with the sloppy play at times," said Eastman. "We are going to focus on us, and focus on what we are not doing well, iron those out, and then pick up on the things we have been doing well."
 
NCCU (0-1) looks to bounce back in its home opener on Saturday (Sept. 8) at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium when the Eagles host Saint Augustine's at 6:00 p.m. Prairie View A&M (1-1) travels to Sam Houston State on Saturday.