North Carolina Central plays its home opener Saturday, welcoming Elizabeth City State to O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff on the MEAC Network. It is the 31st all-time meeting between the two former conference rivals, with NCCU holding a 21-8 series edge and a five-game winning streak in the matchup, and it arrives during NCCU’s Hall of Fame and Champion Weekend, a fitting backdrop given the ties between the two head coaches.
NCCU Looks to Correct Mistakes After a Season-Opening Loss
NCCU opened its season with a 42-30 loss at Texas Southern, and head coach Trei Oliver said the film showed correctable problems rather than a talent gap. “We give up a block punt and then an explosive play,” Oliver said of a stretch spanning the end of the first half and start of the second. “It’s a situation we probably could have put the game away, but we come out in the second half and kind of sputter a little bit.” He pointed to tackling angles, defensive linemen running too far upfield on pass rushes and opening throwing lanes, and a pair of high snaps that cost the Eagles a field-goal attempt. Oliver also dismissed the Houston heat as an excuse. “Whether it’s conditions or whether it’s 30 degrees outside or 130, you got to play football,” he said.
Nelson Layne’s Debut and a Tough Break for Rodney Lesane
Freshman quarterback Nelson Layne made his first career start memorable, throwing for 131 yards and rushing for 116 in the loss to Texas Southern, earning MEAC Rookie of the Week honors. Oliver said Layne, who also threw a late interception he called “ill-advised,” otherwise took care of the football and handled a hostile road environment well. “I thought he did a great job with decision-making,” Oliver said. Junior Josh Jones remains in the mix at quarterback as well. Running back Zion Dobson, a former South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, carried the ball 15 times against Texas Southern and drew praise from Oliver for running with more physicality this season.
The Eagles also absorbed a tough injury in the opener. Tight end Rodney Lesane was hurt and underwent surgery in Houston. Oliver said Lesane, a walk-on who earned a scholarship, was in good spirits and expected back in Durham. “It’s unfortunate that we lost him,” Oliver said. “He’s healthy, and he’s going to be okay.”
A Hall of Fame Homecoming
Saturday’s game follows a Friday night induction ceremony in which Elizabeth City State head coach Adrian Jones joins NCCU’s Alex M. Rivera Athletics Hall of Fame class, alongside Oliver’s own mentor, former NCCU head coach Rod Broadway. Jones and Oliver were teammates and roommates in NCCU’s defensive backfield, and Oliver did not hide his conflicted feelings about facing a close friend. “That’s my guy, until I guess 6 o’clock Saturday,” Oliver said. “I will be there in attendance to support him.” NCCU’s 2006 Division II national championship team is also being honored during the weekend. Oliver has his own history with Elizabeth City State at O’Kelly-Riddick: his first win as a head coach came against the Vikings seven years ago, a result he said may have saved his job. “If we lost that game, I probably would have gotten fired on the spot,” Oliver said.
Scouting Elizabeth City State
Jones is in his second season leading the Vikings after guiding them to a 4-6 record and a 4-3 CIAA mark in 2025, the program’s best conference finish since 2013. Elizabeth City State opened this season with a 17-14 loss to Fort Valley State and was picked to finish seventh in the CIAA, but the Vikings brought back five Preseason All-CIAA honorees, their most since 2011: tight end Joe Griffin, offensive lineman Toriono Combs, defensive lineman Sir’Sean Ingram, linebacker Jaevon Branch and return specialist Shamaar Sutton. Combs was a First Team All-CIAA pick in 2025, and Branch was the conference’s Defensive Rookie of the Year. Oliver warned against overlooking the Vikings given how close their opener was and how competitive they were against Hampton a year ago. “They have players,” Oliver said. “They can definitely beat us.”
NCCU continues its homestand next week against North Carolina A&T on Sept. 12.
