ATLANTA, Ga. – The North Carolina Central University football program will open the 2025 season on Saturday in the 20th annual Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off, taking on Southern University at Center Parc Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., and the game will air live on ABC.

The Match-Up: Saturday's game will be the second all-time meeting between NCCU and Southern. The Eagles won the first meeting, taking the game 27-20 on Sept. 23, 2006 in Baton Rouge, La. NCCU was a Div. II program at the time, and the defense forced Southern into five interceptions.

NCCU vs. The SWAC: Since rejoining the MEAC in 2010, the Eagles are 4-3 against teams from the SWAC. Head coach Trei Oliver is 4-1 against teams from the SWAC, following last year's win over Alabama State in the Orange Blossom Classic. The Eagles will face two SWAC schools this season: Southern on Saturday, and Florida A&M on Oct. 11.

NCCU in Season Openers: NCCU is 47-51-1 all-time in season openers and 4-1 under Oliver. The Eagles have won their last four season openers, including last year's 31-24 victory over Alabama State. For the second straight year, and the third time in the last four seasons, NCCU will open the season in a neutral-site contest.

NCCU in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge: This will be NCCU's first appearance in the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off since 2021, when they defeated Alcorn State 24-14. The Eagles also competed in the game in 2018, falling 40-24 to Prairie View A&M. Overall, NCCU is 1-1 in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, and the MEAC is 11-7.

Atlanta a Second Home: Atlanta has historically been good for the Eagles. NCCU has won each of its last two games in Georgia's largest city, including their overtime victory over No. 5 Jackson State in the 2022 Cricket Celebration Bowl. The Eagles also won the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta in 2021, defeating Alcorn State 24-14.

Scouting Southern: The Jaguars have been picked to finish first in the SWAC Western Division this season, their second full campaign under head coach Terreance Graves. Southern was 8-5 overall in 2024, going 7-1 in league play and falling to Jackson State in the SWAC championship game. Five Jaguars have been named Preseason All-SWAC, highlighted by Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Chelky Givens. Four of the Jaguars' five preseason honorees are on defense.

A Southern Connection: Oliver and Eagles assistant head coach Matt Leone are no strangers to Southern; both have served on the Jaguars coaching staff throughout their careers. Before returning to his alma mater, Oliver spent the 2016 through 2018 seasons as safeties coach and defensive coordinator for the Jaguars. Both Oliver and Leone were on the staff in 2018, when Southern won the SWAC Western Division and advanced to the conference title game. Leone spent four seasons at Southern before joining the Eagles. He coached the program's all-time passing leader, Austin Howard, in his first two seasons, and in his last two seasons, the Jaguars averaged nearly 33 points and over 400 yards per game. Offensive line coach Macander Dieudonne also roamed the Southern sidelines, having served as tight ends coach for the Jaguars during the 2019 season.

Non-Conference Success: NCCU is 18-12 in non-conference games under Oliver. Over the last two-plus seasons, the Eagles are 15-4 against opponents from outside the MEAC. This includes wins over three top 25 teams (No. 25 Elon [2023], No. 25 New Hampshire [2022], and No. 5 Jackson State [2022]). This season, the Eagles will face opponents from the SWAC, CAA Football, the Sub Belt, the CIAA and the Southland Conference. NCCU will face one FBS opponent this season in Old Dominion. The Eagles went 4-2 in non-conference play in 2024.

Watch Out Now: Three Eagles are on the Stats Perform HBCU Player of the Year Watchlist heading into the 2025 season: quarterback Walker Harris, defensive back Malcolm Reed and offensive lineman Trevon Humphrey. All three are Preseason First Team All-MEAC honorees, and Reed is also a Stats Perform Preseason All-American.

Continuity Up Front: NCCU will have a remarkable level of experience along the offensive front, which is uncommon in college football these days, especially in the FCS. In addition to returning quarterback Walker Harris and tight end Luke Bracey, the Eagles are returning starters at all five offensive line positions. That includes Preseason All-MEAC honorees Noah McKinney and Trevon Humphrey.

For more information on NCCU athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.