North Carolina Central beats Alcorn State to win MEAC/SWAC Challenge
Postgame recap: North Carolina Central 23, Alcorn State 14
North Carolina Central opened the HBCU football season with a 23-14 win over Alcorn State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
The teams played a tightly contested first half. Alcorn State WR Juan Anthony Jr. scored a touchdown on the opening drive to take a 7-0 lead. That would be all the scoring in the half for the Braves; their following three drives reached Eagle territory, but did not result in points.
North Carolina Central played a bend but don’t break style of defense in the first half as DB Manny Smith recovered a fumble to get a red zone stop. The offense finally got points on the board with 23 seconds to spare in the half as QB Davius Richard rushed six yards for the score.
After a thrilling battle of the bands, North Carolina Central opened the second half with a nine-play touchdown drive, capped off by Richard’s second rushing touchdown. The kicker missed the extra point.
Alcorn State answered with a touchdown of their own as QB Felix Harper found RB Niko Duffey in the flat to retake the lead 14-13 in the third quarter.
After the Eagles kicked a field to open the fourth quarter with a 16-14 lead, Alcorn State got the ball back with 13:30 remaining in the game. North Carolina Central would force a punt on the ensuing drive. Alcorn State’s punt traveled 43 yards in the air before Brandon Codrington returned the ball 77 yards to the end zone giving the Eagles a 23-14 lead.
That would be all she wrote for the Braves. North Carolina Central’s defense was able to hold Alcorn State’s offense in check for the final quarter and hold on to win the game 23-14.
NCCU GETS THE W.
— ESPN (@espn)
The Eagles take down Alcorn State in the Challenge 🦅
Coach was ducking from that Gatorade bath 😂
North Carolina Central wins 23-14
Brandon Codrington's punt return gives the Eagles a 23-14 lead
North Carolina Central's Brandon Codrington returned an Alcorn State punt 77 yards to the house to give the Eagles a nine point lead. Codrington was named to the preseason All-MEAC first team as a return specialist.
North Carolina Central 23, Alcorn State 14. 11:21 remains in the fourth quarter.
Celebration grade - A+’ Brandon Codrington takes a punt return 77 yards to the house and spins the football in a way that would make Terrell Owens proud
— Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge (@MEAC_SWAC)
Fourth quarter opens with Eagle field goal: North Carolina Central 16, 14 Alcorn State
We have entered the final frame of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. North Carolina Central opened the quarter with a field goal with 13:39 remaining. The Eagles lead 16-14.
back on top. Field goal by Adrian Olivo gives Eagles 16-14 lead in 4th quarter.
— NCCU Athletics (@NCCUAthletics)
Special Teams error leads to Braves touchdown
Alcorn State leads 14-13 with 2:19 remaining in the third quarter.
The drive began after the Braves tackled Eagles punter Juan Velarde to set themselves up with great field position at the Eagles 28-yard line. Six plays later, QB Felix Harper rolled out to his left and found RB Niko Duffey in the flat for the score.
Duffey delivers for the Braves as Alcorn jumps back out in front.
— The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated)
North Carolina Central takes first lead, 13-7
With 10:25 in the third quarter, North Carolina Central has taken their first lead of the game.
QB Davius Richard scored his second rushing touchdown of the game. The drive featured three plays of 15 yards or more.
After the touchdown, the extra point was blocked. The Eagles lead 13-7.
. "Davius Richard put that young man on skates" leads Alcorn State 13-7
— Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge (@MEAC_SWAC)
Battle of the Bands
An HBCU halftime is not a break from the action. Check out the halftime performance from Alcorn State and North Carolina State's bands!
Alcorn St. and NCCU bands show out during halftime of the Challenge 🎵
— The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated)
First half recap: Braves, Eagles tied 7-7
After one half, Alcorn State and North Carolina Central are tied 7-7.
Alcorn State began the scoring effort with a 20-yard catch and run as WR Juan Anthony Jr. ran in for the score. The touchdown capped off a 10-play, 65-yard drive.
After North Carolina Central punted on their opening drive, the Braves drove 78 yards to the Eagle 15-yard line, but failed to come away with points after a 32-yard field goal went wide left.
The Eagles would punt once again on the following drive, putting their defense on the field once again. Alcorn State would have another drive deep into opposing territory. However this time, North Carolina Central's defense got off the field after DB Manny Smith recovered a fumble from QB Felix Harper.
When you can't believe what you just saw...
— Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge (@MEAC_SWAC)
Nice recovery by the fan!
After another North Carolina Central punt was followed by Alcorn State turning the ball over on downs, the Eagles got the ball with a chance put points on the board before halftime. The North Carolina Central offense finally reached pay dirt as QB Davius Richard accounted for 54 total yards and scored the game-tying touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN EAGLES!!! quarterback Davius Richard races to the end zone to tie the score 7-7 at halftime. Watch live on ESPN.
— NCCU Athletics (@NCCUAthletics)
Both teams will enter the second half looking to pull away and open the season with a win.
The Eagles tie the game before halftime
QB Davius Richard's six-yard run on a quarterback draw has tied the score with 0:23 to go in the second quarter.
North Carolina Central's drive began at their own 43-yard line after forcing a turnover on downs. The drive was highlighted by a 33-yard completion from Richard to WR Daeshawn Stephens to get the Eagles into the red zone.
THE DIVE FOR SIX 😤
— ESPN (@espn)
Textbook QB draw on 3rd and goal brings even just before halftime!
— Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge (@MEAC_SWAC)
Fumble! Alcorn State fumble recovered by North Carolina Central
Poised to score at the North Carolina Central 25-yard line, Alcorn State QB Felix Harper fumbled away the ball as he attempted a pass. The ball was recovered by Eagle DB Manny Smith. Alcorn State remains in front 7-0.
A crazy play gives the ball back to !
— Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge (@MEAC_SWAC)
First quarter results
The first quarter is in the books! Alcorn State leads North Carolina Central 7-0.
The opening touchdown was scored by WR Juan Anthony Jr., who displayed his run after the catch ability on his way to the endzone. The Eagles were unable to get anything going despite a strong effort. The Braves had another chance to score after a spectacular 68-yard run by RB Stadford Anderson, but came up short after a missed field goal.
Now this is how you flip field position!
— The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated)
Stadford Anderson rumbles down the field for a 68-yard gain.
Isaiah Totten shows off his moves
ALL-MEAC RB Isaiah Totten pressed the circle button on this first quarter run. North Carolina Central was unable to get points on the drive and were forced to punt. Alcorn remains on top 7-0.
The spin move 👀
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB)
Alcorn State scores the first HBCU touchdown
Early in the first quarter, QB Felix Harper found WR Juan Anthony Jr. on a hitch route. Anthony Jr. did the rest and took the ball to the house. Alcorn State leads 7-0.
Juan Anthony Jr. "hits 'em with the sauce" on his way to the endzone! This immediately followed a key 4th and 12 conversion. leads 7-0 early
— Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge (@MEAC_SWAC)
Pregame: Alcorn State vs. North Carolina Central
The MEAC/SWAC Challenge is almost here! Alcorn State will take on North Carolina Central in a primetime HBCU battle. Both teams make their return after a year-long absence to take center stage in Atlanta, GA. ;
Alcorn State enters this game led by QB Felix Harper. Harper has landed on numerous preseason awards lists and will have top target WR LeCharles Pringle on the outside. Defensively, a strong secondary led by DB Juwan Taylor will look to make game-changing plays.
North Carolina Central returns a strong rushing attack powered by All-MEAC RB Isaiah Totten. Totten has over 2,000 yards in his career and will look to add more on a national stage. The Eagles will look to veterans on defense like DB Stephen Stokes to shut down the Braves offense and get Totten extra touches.
North Carolina Central and Alcorn State will look to put on a show with all eyes on them in the opening weekend. A win for either team will send a statement across the HBCU landscape.
Here is the schedule for Saturday night's game in Atlanta:
- 7 p.m. | Alcorn State vs. North Carolina Central | Live Stats |
— NCCU Athletics (@NCCUAthletics)Here come the Eagles!!!
— NCCU Athletics (@NCCUAthletics)