DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University football program will return to O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium this saturday,taking on the Spartans of Norfolk State.

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m., and the game will air live on ESPN+. The Eagles will also take the occasion to celebrate the seniors who will be playing their next-to-last home game.

The Match-Up: This will be the 22nd meeting between the Eagles and the Spartans. NCCU leads the all-time series 14-7. in all, the Eagles have won four straight and nine of the last 11 meetings between the two teams. As head coach, Trei Oliver is 4-1 against Norfolk State.

NCCU vs. the MEAC: Since taking over as head coach before the 2019 season, Oliver is 20-10 in MEAC games following this past Saturday’s win at Howard. this includes a 4-1 mark in conference play in each of the last four seasons. 2019 was NCCU’s last losing season in MEAC play, when the Eagles went 3-5. Since rejoining the MEAC in 2011, the eagles are 57-43 in conference games.

NCCU at Home: The Eagles are 19-8 at home under Oliver, after falling to Delaware State, 35-26 on Oct. 25. The eagles are 1-2 at home so far this season. The Eagles have finished with a winning home record in each of the last four seasons, including undefeated home campaigns in 2022 (4-0) and 2023 (5-0).The eagles went 4-1 at home last season.

last Time Out: NCCU (6-3, 1-1 MEAC) bounced back with a 35-14 win on the road over Howard University this past Saturday, a game in which quarterback Walker Harris threw for four touchdown passes, and wide receiver Chauncey Spikes had a career day.spikes caught nine passes for a career-high 208 yards and three touchdowns.

Thomas Johnson Leads NCCU Defense Against Norfolk State

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) defensive lineman Thomas Johnson is a key player to watch as the Eagles prepare to face norfolk State. The senior from Lawndale, California, is having a standout season, demonstrating significant impact in both tackling and disrupting opposing offenses.

johnson’s Impactful Season

Oliver expected big things out of defensive lineman Thomas Johnson this season, his fourth with the program. Johnson has appeared in 25 career games, consistently contributing to the Eagles’ defensive efforts.

In 2024, Johnson recorded 11 tackles across just three games, showcasing his ability to penetrate the line. He finished with an impressive five tackles for loss and four sacks.

“Johnson’s performance in the early games of the season has been exceptional. His ability to pressure the quarterback and create opportunities for the defense is crucial to our success.”

Johnson started the season strong with a dominant performance against Southern, registering seven tackles (two for loss), a sack, a quarterback hurry, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He continued his strong play against New Hampshire, adding six tackles and 1.5 sacks. His two sacks against Howard further solidified his position as a disruptive force.

national Rankings and MEAC Standing

Currently, Johnson is tied for sixth in all of FCS in sacks. Within the MEAC, he ranks second in tackles for loss and is tied for 17th nationally in the same category. These statistics highlight his consistent performance and impact on the field.

Scouting Norfolk State

The Spartans enter the game with a 1-8 overall record and an 0-2 standing in MEAC play. This is their first season under the leadership of head coach Michael Vick.

• Record: 1-8 0-2 MEAC
• Head Coach: Michael Vick (First Season)
• Key Focus: Norfolk State will likely look to establish a running game and limit turnovers against NCCU.

Key Takeaways

• Thomas Johnson is a dominant force on the NCCU defensive line, ranking highly in both sacks and tackles for loss nationally.
• Johnson’s early-season performance has been crucial to the Eagles’ defensive success.
• Norfolk State,under first-year coach Michael Vick,presents a challenging MEAC matchup for NCCU.