DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University football program will return to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium on Saturday, where they will take on the Bison of Howard University in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) showdown.

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m., and the game will air live on ESPN+.

The Match-Up: This will be the 30th meeting between the Eagles and the Bison. NCCU leads the series 18-10-1. Prior to the 2023 season, the Eagles had won 10 in a row against Howard. In all, the Eagles have won 12 of the last 13 meetings between the two teams. As head coach, Trei Oliver is 5-1 against Howard.

Eagles at Home: NCCU is 22-11 at home under head coach Trei Oliver after the Eagles dropped their Homecoming contest, a 17-14 loss to William & Mary on Oct. 10. The Eagles were 2-3 at home in 2025. The Eagles have finished with a winning home record in four of the last five seasons, including undefeated home campaigns in 2022 (4-0) and 2023 (5-0).

Last Time Out: NCCU opened MEAC play on Friday, Oct. 23, with a 31-12 win over Delaware State at Alumni Stadium in Dover, Del. The Eagles improved to 3-5 on the season, 1-0 in MEAC play, in snapping their four-game losing streak. Freshman running back Gino Addison had a career night, rushing 31 times for 214 yards and two scores. He has recorded back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. Quarterback Cobey Thompkins threw for 155 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles offense recorded its second straight 400-yard game, going for 427 yards and averaging just over six yards per play. Freshman defensive back Amari Sifford recorded two interceptions, giving him three for the season.

Scouting the Bison: Howard is 4-4 on the season, sitting at 1-0 in MEAC play after a 26-20 overtime win over Morgan State this past Saturday. The Bison have won back-to-back games coming into this weekend's match-up. The Bison are in their first season under head coach – and Howard quarterback legend – Ted White. Howard was picked to finish sixth in the MEAC this season, and running back Eden James leads five Bison who earned Preseason All-MEAC honors, taking First Team accolades at his position. He is currently seventh in the MEAC in rushing, averaging just shy of 40 yards a contest. Quarterback Ja'Shawn Scroggins is fourth in the MEAC in passing with 136.5 yards per game through the air and six touchdowns. Kaleb Gallop leads the team and ranks sixth in the MEAC in tackles with 44.

Eagles Picked to Finish Second: The Eagles were picked to finish second in the MEAC in 2026, behind defending champion South Carolina State. NCCU has been in the thick of the conference race in the entirety of Oliver's tenure, going 4-1 in league play in four of the last five seasons and winning the title in 2022.

NCCU vs. The MEAC: Since Oliver took over as head coach, the Eagles are 23-11 in MEAC play. That includes a stretch from 2021-24 in which NCCU went 4-1 in league play each season. The Eagles were 3-2 in the MEAC in 2025. NCCU won the MEAC title in 2022, before defeating Jackson State in the Celebration Bowl.

The Coaches: Oliver is in his seventh season as a college head coach. With 24 years of college coaching experience that includes five conference championships and three Black college football national titles, Oliver returned to his alma mater as North Carolina Central University's 24th head football coach in December 2018. Heading into this weekend's game, Oliver is two wins shy of 50 for his head coaching career.

Bison legend Ted White (B.A.'98) was named Howard's 38th football head coach in January 2026. One of the most decorated student-athletes in Howard University and MEAC history, White returns to The Mecca with two decades of collegiate and professional coaching experience and a deep understanding of what it means to lead at Howard. White arrives in Washington, D.C., with a reputation as a strong recruiter, culture builder, and mentor. He is known for emphasizing accountability, academic achievement, and competitive excellence while preparing student athletes for life beyond football.

Coaching Your Alma Mater: 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 1945-64.  Oliver is one of two head coaches in the MEAC coaching at their alma mater, joined by new Howard University head coach Ted White.

Addison Putting in the Miles: Freshman running back Gino Addison has back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, including his career-high 214-yard performance at Delaware State. Against the Hornets, Addison ran 31 times for those 214 yards, finding the end zone twice. He celebrated Homecoming on Oct. 10 with 169 rushing yards against William & Mary. For the season, Addison is third in the MEAC with 76 yards per game on the ground. He has 456 yards on 66 carries for the season, with three touchdowns.

Defense Getting Greedy: Through eight games, NCCU's defense leads all of FCS with 18 turnovers, including eight recovered fumbles. That includes four turnovers at East Carolina – a game in which the Eagles recovered three fumbles and one interception. The Eagles have forced four turnovers in a game twice this season: vs. North Carolina A&T and at East Carolina. Junior defensive lineman Zarion Walters is tied for seventh in FCS with two fumble recoveries. The Eagles have 10 interceptions on the season after recording two against the Hornets, and they are tied for 10th in FCS in that category.

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