After four straight road games, North Carolina Central head coach Trei Oliver and his team are finally headed home.
And they’re coming back with momentum.
The Eagles (5-2) capped off their road swing with an emphatic 45-7 win over Florida A&M on Saturday in Tallahassee, marking their fourth consecutive victory. Though North Carolina Central’s high-powered offense continued to roll, Oliver praised his defense and special teams for setting the tone.
“I thought our defense played outstanding. That was probably our best performance of the year,” Oliver said during Monday’s MEAC coaches’ media availability. “We did a really good job stopping the run, being sound with our gaps, and we came away with three interceptions.”
Defensive dominance wasn’t the only highlight; quarterback Walker Harris continued to shine, completing 21 of 27 passes and connecting with eight different receivers.
“He’s done a great job managing the offense and protecting the football,” Oliver said.
Despite the win, North Carolina Central dealt with adversity. Several key players were sidelined with injuries, forcing the staff to rely on young talent, including a true freshman and a walk-on starting at cornerback.
“I thought they played well and rose to the challenge,” Oliver said. “That experience is going to help us down the road.”
Now entering a much-needed bye week, the focus shifts to recovery, academics, and preparation for a formidable Delaware State squad. The Hornets, who had three 100-yard rushers last weekend, travel to Durham on Oct. 25 for the Eagles’ homecoming game.
Oliver emphasized the importance of staying locked in amid the week’s distractions.
“We’ve got to have a great game plan to slow these guys down,” Oliver said. “They run the football a lot like the Green Bay Packers out there.”
The win in Tallahassee brought praise – and questions – from media members about how this year’s team stacks up against the 2022 MEAC championship squad. But Oliver dismissed comparisons.
“This team has done absolutely nothing yet,” he said. “We’re 5-2, but you don’t get a championship for that. It’s about building their own legacy.”
With a tough conference schedule ahead, Oliver reminded his players that every week is critical.
“You can’t lose. Not at this point,” he said. “We’ve had good teams the last few years and missed out [on the Celebration Bowl] because we dropped one game. So, we’ve got to get better every week.”
Despite injuries, communication issues — including a third-quarter headset failure at Florida A&M — and the grind of the schedule, Oliver remains optimistic. North Carolina Central is trending in the right direction, and he hopes the extra week off will give them the edge they need as the MEAC title chase intensifies.
