ELON, N.C. – In a clash of top-25 NCAA Division I-FCS programs, No. 11 North Carolina Central University amassed 14 tackles behind the line of scrimmage with eight sacks and senior quarterback
Davius Richard accounted for four touchdowns to defeat No. 25 Elon University, 34-23, at Rhodes Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Entering the contest, Elon (3-3) was riding an eight-game win streak at home and the Phoenix had not allowed a touchdown inside Rhodes Stadium for 15 quarters. NCCU (5-1) made five visits to the end zone to snap both streaks.
Richard rushed for a season-best 114 yards and three touchdowns, while completing 21-of-35 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown. Senior running back
Latrell Collier ran for 95 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown scamper, to become the ninth Eagle in NCCU history to amass 2,000 career rushing yards (currently 2,050 yards). The dynamic duo of Richard (10) and Collier (6) have now combined for 16 rushing touchdowns this season.
Sophomore receiver
Joaquin Davis topped the Eagles with five receptions for 72 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown. Collier also had five catches for 12 yards, while
Twan Flip Jr. and
Devin Smith each caught four passes.
NCCU's 14 stops for a loss and eight sacks are the most by the Eagles since 2019. Junior defensive lineman
Quantez Mansfield recorded 2.5 hits for a loss with 1.5 sacks, junior lineman
Trey Middleton added 2.5 tackles for a loss and a sack, and sophomore defensive end
Kendrick DuJour posted 1.5 sacks. Sophomore linebacker
Jayden Flaker collected a team-high seven takedowns with 1.5 TFL and a sack, while sophomore cornerback
Jason Chambers tallied three tackles and an interception, his second in the past two contests.
The win is the 500th victory in NCCU gridiron history. The triumph is also the third straight against a top-25 FCS team, as
Trei Oliver is now 3-1 against nationally-ranked opponents since becoming head coach at his alma mater in 2019.
NCCU has next week off before opening MEAC play at Morgan State University on Thursday, Oct. 19 on ESPNU at 7:30 p.m.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.
