In its biggest game of the year, NC Central flopped.
Three weeks ago against its nemesis and defending HBCU national champion SC State, the Eagles were bested in a 26-24 in Orangeburg in what was then considered the de facto MEAC championship game.
A team that started the season 6-1, and appeared to be the best team in the MEAC, had found themselves on the outside looking in what had been developing into a historic season up until that Week 6 loss.
A three-game winning streak can certainly do wonders.
Needing a win on Saturday to claim the MEAC championship, NC Central left no doubt in a 48-14 victory over Norfolk State.
Quarterback Davius Richard, the Eagles’ top performer all year, was brilliant again, throwing for 347 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Latrell Collier tallied 96 yards and a TD on 5.3 yards per carry. Wide receiver E.J. Hicks caught five passes for 127 yards and 1 TD in the win.
Congratulations to your MEAC Champion the North Carolina Central Eagles for punching they ticket to the Celebration Bowl! NC Central defeated Norfolk State today 48-14 to secure their seat in the Cricket Celebration Bowl. 🎉 @NCCUAthletics #AChampionWillRise pic.twitter.com/0KSQyP4DvJ
— Cricket Celebration Bowl (@CelebrationBowl) November 12, 2022
The Eagles (7-2, 3-1 MEAC) clinched a berth in the Celebration Bowl. It will be the program’s first trip to the annual game played in Atlanta since 2016, a contest it lost 10-9 to Grambling State.
