Allexus KillianN.C. Central is now on a four-game winning streak after pitching a shutout against Virginia-Lynchburg in a 68-0 blowout in O’Kelly-Riddick stadium. The Eagles have scored 216 points over this dominant four-game span.
In NCCU’s final non-conference game of the season, Head Coach Trei Oliver wanted to ensure that his team didn’t overlook the Dragons despite 0-6 record.
“The concern we had from the media was we would overlook these people, and I assured you guys we would not,” Oliver said. “The guys understand we gotta get better every week and I thought that we improved this week.”
With 12:13 left in the first quarter, Eagle quarterback Walker Harris threw a 24-yard touchdown bomb to wide receiver Joaquin Davis to give NCCU a 6-0 lead after a blocked PAT.
On the ensuing kickoff, NCCU received a gift when Eagle cornerback Kamari Houze recovered a muffed Lynchburg in the end zone.
This resulted in NCCU’s second touchdown and raucous reaction from the crowd.
It was a cakewalk for NCCU. The offense scored touchdowns on their next three drives, endingt he first quarter with 33 points.
NCCU running back J’Mari Taylor bum-rushed into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown, and freshman running back Aleni Mageo dived into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown, making the score 47-0 at halftime.
A conscious decision was made to shorten the third and fourth quarter to 10 minutes. NCCU also sat down its starters for the rest of the game.
Opening up the third quarter, Eagle running back Zion Dobson scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown, extending the lead to 54-0. Dobson led all running backs for the day with 12 carries for 98 yards.
Eagle quarterbacks Joshua Jackson and Quest Powell got in on the action. Jackson threw a 15-yard touchdown to wide receiver Sterling Greene at the end of the third quarter and Powell rushed for a 1-yard touchdown, the last touchdown of the game, with 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
NCCU’s offense put on a show, rushing for 326 rushing yards total, the most since 2019 when they rushed for 350 yards against Morgan State. The Eagles were also 8-8 on red zone trips.
“I was very pleased with how our guys played Saturday against Virginia Lynchburg,” Oliver said. “I thought we grew, and we’ve improved every week.”
The Eagles’ defense was solid, not allowing a single rushing yard or third-down conversion from the Dragons.
“I think we were able to win first and second down, making a team one dimensional on third down,” NCCU linebacker Max U’Ren said. “We knew they were gonna pass. Our d-line was able to get after it.”
U’Ren also emphasized how much it meant to him to see the defense play a complete game without letting up in the second half.
The Eagles will have a bye week to rest and prepare for the highly anticipated homecoming game against conference rival Morgan State on Oct. 26.
“The fruits of our labor are finally paying off,” Oliver said. “We’re gonna take this week off, get refreshed, and get ready for this conference streak.”
