THE GAME    
Norfolk State University "Spartans" vs. #9 North Carolina Central University "Eagles"

THE KICKOFF    
Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 – Kickoff at 3:30 p.m.

THE SITE    
O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium (10,000 capacity) - Durham, N.C.

THE RECORDS    
#9 N.C. Central (7-1 overall, 2-0 MEAC); Norfolk State (2-6, 0-2 MEAC)

MEDIA COVERAGE    
TV/Video: ESPN+

QUICK HITS    
•    NCCU is ranked ninth in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FCS Top 25, matching the Eagles' highest FCS national ranking, and 12th in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25.
•    NCCU's 7-1 start is the best during the program's NCAA Division I-FCS era. In NCCU's final season of NCAA Division II competition, the 2006 Eagles won their first 11 games before losing in the second round of the NCAA playoffs.
•    NCCU boasts a record of 66-20-2 (.761 winning percentage) on homecoming since 1931.
•    NCCU leads the series with Norfolk State 12-7. The Eagles have won seven of the last nine match-ups, while the Spartans were last victorious on Nov. 9, 2019, in Durham. 
•    Both head coaches are graduates of NCCU and former college teammates. NCCU head coach Trei Oliver graduated in 1998, while Norfolk State's Dawson Odums graduated in 1997.
•    After last week's victory over South Carolina State, the Eagles extended their home win streak to nine games, including a 4-0 record inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium last season. NCCU's last setback at home was on Oct. 30, 2021, to SC State.
•    NCCU's 62 points scored versus South Carolina State last week are the most by the Eagles against a MEAC opponent and the seventh-most points scored in program history.
•    NCCU ranks fourth in the nation (FCS) in turnovers lost (5 = 2 fumbles, 3 INT), fifth in sacks allowed (0.75), 11th in sacks (2.75), and 11th in time of possession (32:54).
•    The Eagles top the MEAC and rank 11th in the nation (FCS) in scoring with an average of 36.2 points per game. 
•    NCCU quarterback Davius Richard ranks second in the nation (FCS) in points responsible for (19.7 points per game), third in rushing touchdowns (12), and fourth in scoring (10.3 points per game), while return specialist Brandon Codrington ranks fifth in punt returns (16.6-yard avg.).
•    NCCU quarterback Davius Richard (12) and running back Latrell Collier (6) have combined for 18 rushing touchdowns. The rest of the top 10 rushers in the MEAC have combined for 15 rushing touchdowns.
•    With 95 ground yards at Elon, NCCU senior running back Latrell "Mookie" Collier became the ninth Eagle in school history to amass 2,000 career rushing yards (2,095).
•    A host of NCCU Eagles are leading the way in the MEAC, including running back Latrell Collier (507 rushing yards), quarterback Davius Richard (12 rushing touchdowns/72 points), wide receivers Devin Smith (27 receptions, 368 receiving yards), linebacker Jayden Flaker (54 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles), defensive end Kendrick DuJour (4.5 sacks), cornerback Jason Chambers (3 interceptions), kicker Adrian Olivo (7 field goals), and return specialist Brandon Codrington (16.6 punt return yards/game).
•    NCCU senior quarterback Davius Richard rushed for four touchdowns against Campbell to tie the school record, which was last accomplished 24 years ago. Richard's third score versus the Camels broke the NCCU record for career rushing touchdowns, previously held by Gerald Fraylon (1981-84) with 31. Richard now has 38 career rushing touchdowns, which is tied with NCCU total touchdowns record-holder Robert Clark (WR, 1983-86).
•    NCCU's Davius Richard ranks second in NCCU history with 8,115 career passing yards, 9,914 yards of total offense, and 63 career passing touchdowns, trailing only NCCU hall of famer Earl "Air" Harvey (1985-88).
•    Davius Richard's 101 career touchdowns responsible for (63 pass, 38 rush) rank second in NCCU history behind quarterback Earl Harvey's 106 TD responsible for (86 pass, 20 rush).
•    Senior quarterback Davius Richard completed 64.0% of his passes in 2022 to break NCCU's single-season record. During his standout four-year career at NCCU, Richard owns a completion percentage of 58.3%, which is on pace to break the school's career completion percentage of 56.6% held by Malcolm Bell (2013-16).
•    NCCU senior kicker Adrian Olivo, a two-time First Team All-MEAC honoree (2022, 2021), ranks second in career scoring at NCCU with 258 points, needing 22 points to break the school's career scoring record, held by Brandon Gilbert (2004-08; 279 points).
•    Oct. 26 versus SC State marked the first time NCCU had two Eagles with 100 receiving yards in a game (receiver Devin Smith, 103 yards; running back J'Mari Taylor, 100 yards) since Sept. 29, 2007, against Presbyterian.
•    Walker Harris passed for five touchdowns, the most by a NCCU quarterback in 18 years, during a 45-3 victory over Mississippi Valley State University in the Circle City Classic inside Lucas Oil Stadium. Harris's 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. 
•    Since the start of the 2012 season, NCCU has scored 46 touchdowns on defense and special teams, including three scores this season.
•    Following the 45-3 win over Mississippi Valley State in Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 23, 2023, NCCU improved its record to 7-2 in games played in an NFL stadium since 2000.
•    NCCU was No. 1 in the preseason BOXTOROW HBCU FCS coaches poll, receiving all but two first place votes.
•    NCCU is under the direction of fourth-season head coach Trei Oliver, who was an all-region safety and punter (1994-97) at NCCU, as well as an Eagles' assistant coach (2003-06).
2022 NOTES:
•    NCCU is coming off a 10-win campaign that included a MEAC championship and an HBCU national title.
•    In 2022, NCCU won its first MEAC football championship since 2016, and defeated No. 5 Jackson State University, 41-34, in an overtime thriller in the Cricket Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The victory delivered the university's fourth HBCU national championship title, joining the company of those captured in 1954, 2005 and 2006.
•    The 2022 NCCU Eagles became just the third team in school history to win 10 games in a season and earned the program's highest NCAA Division I-FCS national ranking at No. 17 in the final American Football Coaches Association Coaches' Poll.
•    Under the direction of 2022 MEAC Coach of the Year Trei Oliver, last season the Eagles celebrated non-conference FCS triumphs over North Carolina A&T, Tennessee Tech, No. 25 New Hampshire, and No. 5 Jackson State.
•    The 2022 Eagles shattered NCCU single-season offensive records, including points scored (463 points), first downs (273), and total offense (5,344 yards/445.3 ypg). NCCU led NCAA Division I-FCS in third down conversions (55.8%) and ranked fifth in the nation in scoring (38.6 points per game). Defensively, NCCU topped the NCAA Division I-FCS in red zone defense and ranked 20th in the nation in both scoring defense (21.5 points allowed per game) and total defense (333.6 yards allowed per game).
•    During NCCU's 22-20 road victory over Tennessee Tech on Nov. 19, 2022, NCCU played its first penalty-free game, dating back to at least 1994.
•    NCCU's Davius Richard is just the second quarterback in NCCU history to record 2,000 passing yards in three consecutive seasons, joining NCCU hall of famer Earl Harvey (1985-88). Richard threw for 2,020 yards in 2019, 2,133 yards in 2021, and 2,661 yards in 2022.
•    NCCU kicker Adrian Olivo broke the NCCU single-season record with 51 extra-point kicks in 2022.

THE SERIES    
This will be the 20th football meeting between NCCU and Norfolk State since the teams first met in 1981. NCCU leads the series 12-7, and the Eagles have won seven of the last nine match-ups.
11/12/2022 - NCCU 48, NSU 14 (Norfolk, Va.)
11/06/2021 - NCCU 38, NSU 36 - 2OT (Durham, N.C.)
11/09/2019 - NSU 38, NCCU 21 (Durham, N.C.)
10/20/2018 - NCCU 36, NSU 6 (Norfolk, Va.)
10/21/2017 - NSU 28, #25 NCCU 21 (Durham, N.C.)
9/24/2016 - NCCU 34, NSU 31 (Norfolk, Va.)
10/31/2015 - NCCU 24, NSU 16 (Durham, N.C.)
11/15/2014 - NCCU 19, NSU 14 (Norfolk, Va.)
11/16/2013 - NCCU 24, NSU 13 (Durham, N.C.)
11/04/1995 - NSU 27, NCCU 6 (Durham, N.C.)
9/10/1994 - NSU 26, NCCU 24 (Norfolk, Va.)
9/11/1993 - NCCU 30, NSU 20 (Durham, N.C.)
9/17/1988 - NCCU 10, NSU 7 (Norfolk, Va.)
9/19/1987 - NCCU 28, NSU 20 (Durham, N.C.)
10/12/1985 - NSU 32, NCCU 14 (Durham, N.C.)
10/6/1984 - NSU 29, NCCU 26 (Norfolk, Va.)
10/8/1983 - NCCU 47, NSU 6 (Durham, N.C.)
10/9/1982 - NSU 14, NCCU 9 (Norfolk, Va.)
11/14/1981 - NCCU 27, NSU 20 (Durham, N.C.)

THE COACHES    
NCCU: Trei Oliver (N.C. Central, 1998) is in his fourth season as a college head coach. With more than two decades of college coaching experience that includes six conference championships and four Black college football national titles, Oliver returned to his alma mater as North Carolina Central University's 24th head football coach in December 2018. A native of Yorktown, Virginia, Oliver earned all-conference and all-region honors as a defensive back and punter during his four-year playing career at NCCU from 1994-97. The 1998 graduate later returned to NCCU as an assistant coach from 2003-06, helping the Eagles to back-to-back Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championships in 2005 and 2006.

Norfolk State: North Carolina Central University alumnus Dawson Odums is in his third season as head coach at Norfolk State. A native of Shelby, North Carolina, Odums has more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience. Most recently, Odums enjoyed a stellar 10-year run in the Southwestern Athletic Conference at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Odums directed Southern to a winning record in each of his eight full seasons at the helm of the program, including a 5-1 mark in the abbreviated 2021 spring season. In his last five seasons, the Jaguars posted a 29-6 SWAC record. His overall record with the Jaguars was 63-35. During his playing days at NCCU from 1993-96, Odums amassed 139 tackles with 40.5 stops for a loss and 13.5 sacks. He earned All-CIAA Second Team distinction as a senior in 1996, after posting 63 tackles, including a team-high 19.5 stops for a loss and 5.5 sacks.

EAGLES IN TOP-25    
The NCCU Eagles received their first national ranking as a Division I-FCS program on Nov. 7, 2016, when the FCS Coaches Poll announced NCCU at No. 25. By the end of the 2016 regular season, the Eagles jumped to No. 18 and finished at No. 19 in the final FCS Coaches poll. NCCU ranked No. 22 in the final 2016 STATS FCS Top 25 poll. NCCU achieved a national ranking of No. 17 in the final 2022 AFCA FCS Coaches' poll. On Oct. 9, 2023, the Eagles soared to their highest national ranking at No. 9 in the AFCA Coaches poll.
Oct. 30, 2023 - #9 AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25 / #12 Stats Perform
Oct. 23, 2023 - #10 AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25 / #13 Stats Perform
Oct. 16, 2023 - #10 AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25 / #16 Stats Perform
Oct. 9, 2023 - #9 AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25 / #14 Stats Perform
Oct. 2, 2023 - #11 AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25 / #14 Stats Perform
Sept. 25, 2023 - #13 AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25 / #15 Stats Perform
Sept. 18, 2023 - #18 Stats Perform FCS Top 25 / #19 AFCA Coaches'
Sept. 11, 2023 - #17 AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25 / #17 Stats Perform
Sept. 4, 2023 - #18 AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25 / #18 Stats Perform 
Jan. 9, 2023 - #17 AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25 / #21 Stats Perform (Final 2022)
Nov. 21, 2022 - #21 AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25
Nov. 14, 2022 - #25 AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25
Sept. 19, 2022 - #25 Stats Perform FCS Top 25
Oct. 16, 2017 - #25 STATS FCS Top 25
Oct. 9, 2017 - #25 STATS FCS Top 25
Jan. 9, 2017 - #19 FCS Coaches Poll / #22 STATS FCS Top 25 (Final 2016)
Nov. 21, 2016 - #18 FCS Coaches Poll / #20 STATS FCS Top 25
Nov. 14, 2016 - #20 FCS Coaches Poll / #24 STATS FCS Top 25
Nov. 7, 2016 - #25 FCS Coaches Poll

HOME SWEET HOME    
The Eagles extended their home win streak to nine games with a high-scoring victory over South Carolina State and by posting a 4-0 record inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium last season. In those four 2022 triumphs, NCCU out-scored its opponents, 209-55, averaging 52.3 points and 502.8 yards of total offense per contest. Defensively, the Eagles held the opposition to just 13.8 points and 214.5 total yards per game. That equates to a differential of +38.5 points and +288.3 total yards per outing.

EAGLES AGAINST NATIONALLY-RANKED OPPOSITION                                            
Since the start of the transition to NCAA Division I-FCS in 2007, NCCU is 6-13 against nationally-ranked FCS opponents. The Eagles knocked off No. 25 Elon on the road on Oct. 7, 2023. Last season, the Eagles took down No. 25 New Hampshire on Sept. 17, 2022, and No. 5 Jackson State on Dec. 17, 2022.
10/7/2023 - #25 Elon - 34-23 W
12/17/2022 - #5 Jackson State - 41-34 OT W
9/17/2022 - #25 New Hampshire - 45-27 W
9/7/2019 - #8 Towson - 3-42 L
11/17/2018 - #12 North Carolina A&T - 0-45 L
11/18/2017 - #7 North Carolina A&T - 10-24 L
12/17/2016 - #14 Grambling - 9-10 L
11/19/2016 - #9 North Carolina A&T - 42-21 W
11/21/2015 - #13 North Carolina A&T - 21-16 W
11/22/2014 - #24 North Carolina A&T - 21-14 W
11/1/2014 - #20 Bethune-Cookman - 20-34 L
11/2/2013 - #13 Bethune-Cookman - 14-38 L
9/21/2013 - #4 Towson - 17-35 L
10/23/2010 - #14 Bethune-Cookman - 10-23 L
9/18/2010 - #1 Appalachian State - 16-44 L
10/10/2009 - #9 Appalachian State - 21-55 L
9/12/2009 - #24 Liberty - 10-35 L
11/8/2008 - #3 Cal Poly - 3-49 L
9/6/2008 - #8 James Madison - 7-56 L

ALL-MEAC RETURNERS    
For the 2023 season, NCCU returns 12 All-MEAC performers, including five first team all-conference honorees. Headlining the group are senior quarterback Davius Richard, the 2022 MEAC Offensive Player of the Year, and senior defensive back Khalil Baker, the 2022 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year. NCCU's other All-MEAC returners are senior running back Latrell Collier, junior center Torricelli Simpkins III, senior kicker Adrian Olivo, junior receiver Devin Smith, junior defensive lineman Jaden Taylor, junior linebacker Jaki Brevard, senior defensive back Manny Smith, junior running back J'Mari Taylor, junior defensive lineman Christian Smith, and senior return specialist/defensive back Brandon Codrington.

EAGLES TURN DEFENSE, SPECIAL TEAMS INTO POINTS    
Since the start of the 2012 season, the Eagles have demonstrated a knack for finding the end zone when the offense is off the field. In the past 121 games, NCCU has scored 46 touchdowns on defense and special teams, including three this season. In 2023, the Eagles have tallied an 81-yard punt return by Brandon Codrington, along with a 20-yard fumble return by Max U'Ren and a kickoff return recovery by Romeo Stancil. Othe non-offensive touchdowns include a 33-yard interception return by Khalil Baker at New Hampshire in 2022, two in 2021, two in 2019, two in 2018, three in 2017, three in 2016, six in 2015, five in 2014, nine in 2013 and 10 in 2012. In that time, the Eagles have made trips to the end zone on 17 punt returns, eight kickoff returns, three blocked field goal returns, 13 interceptions and five fumble recoveries. 

HARD TIMES AGAINST FBS OPPONENTS    
Since departing the NCAA Division II ranks at the end of the 2006 season, the Eagles have lined up against a NCAA Division I-FBS opponent 13 times, all resulting in losses. UCLA was the first nationally-ranked FBS foe NCCU faced.
Sept. 16, 2023 at #24 UCLA (7-59 L)
Sept. 11, 2021 at Marshall (10-44 L)
Sept. 22, 2018 at Duke (13-55 L)
Sept. 2, 2017 at Duke (7-60 L)
Sept. 10, 2016 at Western Michigan (21-70 L)
Sept. 3, 2016 at Duke (6-49 L)
Sept. 19, 2015 at FIU (14-39 L)
Sept. 12, 2015 at Duke (0-55 L)
Aug. 30, 2014 at East Carolina (7-52 L)
Aug. 31, 2013 at Duke (0-45 L)
Sept. 15, 2012 at Duke (17-54 L)
Sept. 1, 2011 at Rutgers (0-48 L)
Sept. 26, 2009 at Duke (14-49 L)

NCCU EAGLES IN NFL VENUES    
Since 2000, NCCU has played in NFL venues 10 times with an 8-2 record. During that time, NCCU's only losses were in the Georgia Dome (2016, 2010).
Recent Trips to NFL Stadiums:
Lucas Oil Stadium - Indianapolis Colts (Sept. 23, 2023 vs. MVSU - W, 45-3)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium - Atlanta Falcons (Dec. 17, 2022 vs. Jackson St. - W 41-34 OT)
Bank of America Stadium - Carolina Panthers (Sept. 3, 2022 vs. N.C. A&T - W 28-13)
Georgia Dome - Atlanta Falcons (Dec. 17, 2016 vs. Grambling - L, 9-10)
Lucas Oil Stadium - Indianapolis Colts (Oct. 6, 2012 vs. S.C. State - W, 40-10)
Cleveland Browns Stadium (Sept. 10, 2011 vs. Central State - W, 42-3)
Georgia Dome - Atlanta Falcons (Oct. 16, 2010 vs. Georgia State - L, 17-20 OT)
Giants Stadium - New York Giants (Sept. 15, 2007 vs. Elizabeth City State - W, 18-10)
Ericsson Stadium - Carolina Panthers (Nov. 4, 2001 vs. Johnson C. Smith - W, 34-3)
Veterans Stadium - Philadelphia Eagles (Sept. 30, 2000 vs. Morris Brown - W, 19-16)

ALUMS AS HEAD FOOTBALL COACHES AT NCCU    
Trei Oliver is the third alumnus to lead the NCCU football program, following in the footsteps of Bishop Harris, a 1963 graduate who coached the Eagles from 1991-92, and Herman Riddick, a 1933 graduate who guided the Eagles to a school record 112 victories from 1945-1964.

ABOUT NCCU FOOTBALL    
•    North Carolina Central University is in its 12th season of full NCAA Division I (FCS) athletics competition as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. 
•    The Eagles have won 12 conference championships as members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1953, 1954, 1956, 1961, 1963, 1980, 2005, 2006) and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (1972, 1973, 2016, 2022), and have made three appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs (1988, 2005, 2006). The Eagles won back-to-back football conference championships and a Black College National Championship in their final two years in the Division II ranks (2005 and 2006) before starting the transition to Division I in 2007.
•    During its storied gridiron tradition, NCCU has produced 156 all-conference selections (first team), 71 all-Americans, 41 NFL draft picks, 12 conference championships and four Black College National Championships (1954, 2005, 2006, 2022).
•    Three Eagles have represented NCCU on the National Football League's grandest stage - the Super Bowl. The first NCCU Eagle to make a Super Bowl appearance was Richard Sligh, who was a reserve tackle with the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II against the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 14, 1968. Sligh, who holds the distinction as the tallest player in NFL history (7'0"), played at NCCU from 1962-64 and was later drafted by the Raiders in the 10th round of the 1967 NFL draft. On Jan. 24, 1982, former NCCU Eagle Louis Breeden was a starting cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI against the San Francisco 49ers. Earlier in the season (Nov. 8, 1981), Breeden intercepted a pass thrown by San Diego Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts and returned it a team-record 102 yards for a touchdown. The following year, he was selected as a First-Team All-Pro. He completed his 10-year NFL career with 33 interceptions for 558 return yards and two touchdowns. The third Eagle to play in the Super Bowl was Ryan Smith with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Feb. 7, 2021, as Smith became the first NCCU Eagle to play in a Super Bowl victory.
•    The first Eagle selected in the NFL Draft was Matt Boone, who was taken by the Giants with the eighth pick in the 18th round in 1956. The latest Eagle announced during the NFL Draft was Ryan Smith, who was chosen by the Buccaneers in the fourth round in 2016. NCCU's highest draft pick was Doug Wilkerson, who was selected in the first round with the 14th overall pick of the 1970 NFL Draft by the Oilers. The Eagles have also had three second-round NFL draft picks, including Robert Massey in 1989 by the Saints, Charles Smith in 1975 by the Broncos and Chuck Hinton in 1962 by the Browns. 
•    HBCU football pioneer John Brown, who represented NCCU (then North Carolina College) on the gridiron in the 1940s, was one of the first to play professional football out of a historically Black college or university. Brown shares the honor with Ezzret Anderson of Kentucky State and Elmore Harris of Morgan State, who all began their professional football careers in 1947. Brown and Anderson were teammates on the Los Angeles Dons, while Harris was a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers. According to NCCU records, Brown was the first of the three to sign a professional football contract. He played center and linebacker with the Dons from 1947-49, before moving to the Canadian Football League.