DURHAM, N.C. - The North Carolina Central University football program had its Homecoming spoiled Saturday afternoon in O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium, as Delaware State won the conference opener 35-26.
The Eagles had their four-game winning streak snapped and fell to 5-3 overall (0-1 in league play).
NCCU got the scoring going with a 33-yard field goal from Kaleb Robinson with 3:34 left in the first quarter, capping off a 13-play, 54-yard drive.Â
Delaware State responded in the second quarter, taking a 7-3 lead at the 9:09 mark after a touchdown pass from Kaiden Bennett to NyGhee Lolley.
The Eagles took the lead back on the ensuing drive, as quarterback Walker Harris connected with Nasim Cosby on a 32-yard strike with 5:04 remaining in the first half. NCCU went into the locker room with a 10-7 lead.
But the Hornets (5-3, 1-0 MEAC) had a strong second half, to the tune of 14 points each in the third and fourth quarters. Bennett and Lolley connected two more times in the third quarter – once from 72 yards and another from 25 — and with 7:30 left in the third, Delaware State led 21-10.
Harris ran in from one yard out at the 1:30 mark of the quarter to cut the lead to 21-17. He then found Chauncey Spikes on a 10-yard score in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, giving the Eagles a 24-21 lead.
From there, the Hornets' running game took over, as running back Marquis Gillis found the end zone twice in the final 15 minutes. He gave Delaware State the lead back, 28-24, with a 33-yard run at the 8:57 mark.
Then, with 1:55 remaining, Gillis hit paydirt again, this time from two yards out, giving the Hornets a two-score advantage.
The Eagles' defense recorded a safety, its fourth of the season, with 15 seconds left to cut the game to its final margin.
Harris led the Eagles with 354 passing yards and two touchdowns, while running back Chris Mosley recorded 83 yards on 18 carries.
Defensive back Jelani Vassell led the Eagles' defense with 11 tackles and an interception.
The Eagles will be on the road again next Saturday, heading to the nation's capital to take on Howard University at 3:30 p.m. The game will air live on ESPN+.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
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