DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University football program will play at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium for the first time in the 2025 season on Saturday, squaring off against New Hampshire.

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., and the game will air live on ESPN+.

The Match-Up: This will be the second meeting all-time between the two teams; in 2022, the Eagles defeated then-ranked New Hampshire 45-27 on the road. Quarterback Davius Richard threw two touchdowns in that game, while running back J'Mari Taylor added two more scores on the ground.

NCCU vs. CAA Football: Since his arrival, Oliver holds a 5-3 mark against teams from the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA, formerly Colonial Athletic Association), with wins over New Hampshire, North Carolina A&T, Campbell and Elon. The Eagles will play host to New Hampshire, before traveling to Greensboro to take on the rival Aggies of North Carolina A&T this season.

NCCU in Home Openers: North Carolina Central is 60-47-1 all-time in home openers, and 4-1 under head coach Trei Oliver. The Eagles' last home-opening loss came last season against Elon. In fact, NCCU's last two home-opening losses have come against that school. Prior to last season, NCCU had won its last four home openers.

Last Time Out: NCCU opened the 2025 season with a 31-14 win over Southern in the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off. The Eagles racked up 409 yards of total offense, 223 of which came on the ground. All three running backs who saw action found the endzone. Chris Mosley had a career night with 182 yards on the ground and a score. Mosley was named the game's MVP. Defensive lineman Thomas Johnson led the defense, with seven tackles (two for loss), a sack, a quarterback hurry, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Mosley Started Strong: Running back Chris Mosley came out of the gates strong in the Eagles' season-opening win over Southern. He ran for a game- and career-high 182 yards and a touchdown, en route to being named the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off MVP. The performance was the first 100-yard rushing game of Mosley's collegiate career. In addition, Mosley was named the HBCU National Player of the Week on Monday.

Oliver High on Johnson: Head coach Trei Oliver expects big things out of defensive lineman Thomas Johnson this season, his fourth with the program. Johnson, a senior from Lawndale, Calif., has played in 25 career games to this point. In 2024, Johnson had 11 tackles in three games, including five tackles for loss and four sacks. Johnson was strong in the season opener against Southern, with seven tackles (two for loss), a sack, a quarterback hurry, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Scouting New Hampshire: The Wildcats have been picked to finish fifth in CAA Football this season, their fourth full year under head coach Rick Santos. New Hampshire is coming off a 2024 campaign that saw them finish in a tie for third in the conference and earn a bid to NCAA FCS Playoffs. The Wildcats went 8-5 last season, finishing 6-2 in league play and wrapping up the regular season on a four-game winning streak. New Hampshire comes into the 2025 season receiving votes in both national FCS top 25 polls. The Wildcats' offense features wide receiver Caleb Burke, who made 52 catches for 711 yards and six touchdowns a year ago, and running back Myles Thomason, who tallied 228 yards on the ground in only five games. Returning on defense for UNH are safeties Duncan Moreland, who contributed 42 tackles, an interception and three fumble recoveries last season, and Brendan Tighe, who had 55 stops and five pass breakups.

Non-Conference Success: NCCU is 19-12 in non-conference games under Oliver. Over the last two-plus seasons, the Eagles are 16-4 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.