DURHAM, N.C. - 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, as the Eagles celebrated homecoming with a 50-21 victory over Howard University in front of a sellout crowd of 14,322 inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

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, as well as 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 just 99 rushing yards and 179 passing yards. NCCU changed 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.

Up next, NCCU visits Norfolk State on Nov. 12 at 2 p.m., with the conference championship and a trip to the Celebration Bowl on the line.

For more information about NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.