DURHAM, N.C. (October 30, 2026) – The Howard University football team will be looking to go 2-0 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play when it travels to Durham, N.C., to take on the Eagles of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Saturday at 2 p.m., inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
 
GAME INFO
 
GAME 9
PARTICIPANTS: Howard (Bison) at North Carolina Central (Eagles)
WHEN: Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 2 p.m.
WHERE: O'Kelly-Riddick Memorial Stadium (10,000) in Durham, N.C.
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION
 
WATCH
 
Saturday's broadcast will be live on ESPN+.
 
LISTEN
 
Bison Nation can listen to the action live on WHBC.  Casaya Achampong will call the action, Ray T. Rogers will provide color commentary and Amir Walker will serve as spotter.
 
LIVE RESULTS
 
Fans can also follow the game via live stats.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
HOWARD
 
Howard (4-4, 1-0 MEAC) is coming off a thrilling 26-20 OT road win at Morgan State Saturday (Oct. 24). The Bison were led by sophomore running back Billy Roberson II (Lake Orion, Mich.), who had a career day, and sophomore defensive back Ben Chandler IV (Washington), who returned an 87-yard pick-six for the game-winning score in overtime.
 
NCCU
 
The Eagles (3-5, 1-0 MEAC) snapped a four-game losing streak with impressive 31-12 victory over Delaware State Friday (Oct. 23). Freshman running back Gino Addison had a career day with 214 yards rushing and two TDs.
 
THE COACHES
 
Howard is led by Ted White (Howard, '98), who is in his first season. The Eagles are coached by Tre' Oliver (NCCU, '98), who is in his sixth season at the helm.
 
WHAT THE COACHES ARE SAYING
 
TED WHITE
 
"We must start fast, offensively, and stop the run. N.C. Central is fast on the perimeter and sound defensively with 21 turnovers."
 
TRE' OLIVER
 
"We still have a lot of work to do as we prepare for Howard. They are well coached and their defense is of concern. They play well, collectively. And No. 95 (Israel Lucas) is disruptive and No. 6 (Chandler) is very active back there. Like I said, we still have a lot of work to do."
 
THE SERIES
 
Last year, N.C. Central won in Durham for its 10^th win over the Bison in the past 11 matchups. Howard last won, 50-20, over the Eagles in 2023 en route to the Celebration Bowl.
 
This is the 30^th meeting between the two institutions and NCCU hold an 18-10-1 advantage in the series.
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
HOWARD
 
On offense, the Bison will rely on the talents of Roberson (53 carries for 237 yards & a TD; 9 receptions for 87 yards & 2 TDs), graduate running back Eden James (51 carries for 317 yards & 3 TDs) and junior running back Travis Kerney (57 carries for 155 yards & 2 TDs).
 
Graduate quarterback Ja'Shawn Scroggins (Las Vegas) has rushed 87 times for 228 yards and 3 TDs and completed 98-of-196 for 1,092 yards and 6 TDs.
 
The receiving core features senior tight end Nathanial Clark (20 receptions for 145 yards & a TD), senior wideouts Zaden Jackson (12 receptions for 176 yards & a TD) and Se'Quan Osborne (13 catches for 198 yards & a TD) and sophomore Semaj Pierre (24 catches for 240 yards).
 
Defensively, the Buffalo Soldiers are led by Chandler (32 total tackles, 6 PBUs & 2 INTs), graduate defensive back Kaleb Gallop (44 total tackles, a TFL & 0.5 sack), sophomore linebacker Aidan Foster (38 total tackles, 3.0 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, a FR & a FF) graduate linebacker Rodney Roane (31 total tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, a FR & 3 FFs), graduate defensive lineman Gabe Stephens (28 total tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 3.0 sacks, 5 PBUs & a FR) and graduate defensive back J. Augustus Olidge (23 total tackles & 9 PBUs) and sophomore linebacker Glen Vinson III (21 total tackles & aTFL).
 
Junior placekicker Matt Conord (Lithia, Fla.) leads the team scoring (47 points), including 10-for-11 on field goal attempts and a perfect 17-for-17 on PATs. He also averages 40 yards on 11 punts this season.
 
NCCU
 
Offensively, the Eagles are led Addison (66 carries for 456 yards & 3 TDs), sophomore running back Zion Dobson (94 carries for 349 yards & 3 TDs), sophomore quarterback Nelson Layne (77-of-123 for 781 yards & 4 TDs; 65 carries for 182 yards & 4 TDs), fifth-year running back Plez Lawrence (55 carries for 317 yards & 4 TDs), senior wideout Chance Peterson (37 receptions for 381 yards & a TD) and sophomore wideout RJ Lancaster (15 receptions for 178 yards).
 
Defensively, NCCU is led by senior defensive lineman Zarion Walters (48 total tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 3 FFs & 2 FRs), Joshua Truesdale (55 total tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 2 INTs & a FR), sophomore defensive lineman MJ Campbell (20 total tackles, 3.0 TFLs & 1.5 sacks) and freshman defensive back Amari Sifford (21 total tackles, 1.5 TFLs, a sack, 6 PBUs & 3 INTs).
 
The Eagles are led on special teams by fifth-year punter Jake Mercantel (40 yards per punt) and freshman placekicker Riley Daniels (11-of-14 on FGs).
 
GAME NOTES
 
HOWARD
 
The Buffalo Soldier defense has only allowed seven rushing TDs this season...Howard is converting 75-percent on 4th down conversions...Conrod's 10 made field goals is a career high; his previous high was seven last year…Chandler was cited as honorable mention for MEAC honors (Oct. 26) for his first pick-six in his young career…Seven members on the HU coaching staff played in the NFL: White (Kansas City Chiefs); offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Jimmie Johnson (Washington Redskins/Philadelphia Eagles); offensive line coach Bob Whitfield (Atlanta Falcons); special teams coordinator Keith Burns (Denver Broncos/Chicago Bears/Tampa Bay Buccaneers); defensive coordinator Kyshoen Jarrett (Washington Commanders); Del Cowsette (Washington Commanders/ New York Giants/ Tampa Bay Buccaneers/Chicago Bears) and strength & conditioning coach Keith Pough (Buffalo Bills).
 
NCCU
 
Addison was named the MEAC Offensive Player of the Week for his effort versus Delaware State.
 
MEAC LEADERS
 
HOWARD
 
The Bison lead the MEAC in 4th down conversions.
 
Individually, James (Indianapolis) ranks seventh in rushing.
 
Scroggins is fourth in both passing and total offense.
 
Conord is sixth in scoring.
 
Sophomore running back/kick returner John Washington III (Richmond, Va.) is third in kick returns with a 24.0 average and ninth in all-purpose yards. Freshman wideout/returner Derrick Miller (McDonough, Ga.) is sixth in kick returns. Sophomore wide receiver/punt returner Antonio Hunter (Cincinnati) is third in punt returns.
 
Sophomore punter Liam Allen IV (Sanford, Fla.) is sixth in punting.
 
NCCU
 
The Eagles lead the MEAC in forced fumbles (10) and least penalized.
 
Individually, Truesdale leads the conference in tackles and Zarian Walters is fourth in tackles.
 
Lawrence ranks fifth in rushing.
 
Dobson and Peterson are tied for sixth in receiving.
 
Daniels is the leader in both scoring and field goals made.
 
Layne ranks sixth in total offense.
 
Addison is fourth in all-purpose yards.
 
Mercantel ranks second in punting.
 
Sifford is second in interceptions and third in PBUs.
 
Jeremiah Lasguerra is sixth in forced fumbles.
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS
 
HOWARD
 
As a team, Howard leads the nation in Red Zone with a perfect 20-for-20 on the season.
 
Roane is tied for fourth in forced fumbles.
 
Junior defensive lineman Israel Lucas (Jacksonville, Fla.) is tied for seventh in fumble recoveries with teammate graduate linebacker Gabe Stephens (Charlotte, N.C.).
 
Olidge is tied for 17^th in pass breakups.
 
Conord is fifth in field goal percentage.
 
NCCU
 
As a team, the Eagles rank No. 1 in turnovers gained.
 
Individually, Walters ranks fourth in TFLs and forced fumbles, tied for seventh in fumble recoveries and tied for 12^th in sacks.
 
Jakari Martin is tied for 10^th in PBUs.
 
NEXT UP
 
Howard has a short week, returning home to take on the South Carolina State Bulldogs Thursday night (Nov. 5) at 7 p.m., inside Greene Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.