DURHAM, N.C. - After closing out the regular season with a road win at Tennessee Tech to improve its record to 9-2, MEAC champion North Carolina Central University jumped four spots in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FCS Coaches' Top 25 Poll to No. 21, the AFCA announced on Monday, Nov. 21.

Under the leadership of NCCU head coach Trei Oliver, the Eagles captured their first conference championship in six years and became just the sixth team in school history to win nine games in a season.

NCCU earned non-conference FCS victories over North Carolina A&T, No. 25 New Hampshire, and Tennessee Tech.

The MEAC champions now prepare to take on the winner of the SWAC championship game in the Cricket Celebration Bowl on Dec. 17 in Atlanta. Visit TheCelebrationBowl.com for ticket and hotel information.

Earlier this season, thanks to a 3-0 start, NCCU moved into the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 poll at No. 25 on Sept. 19, which represented the Eagles' first regular season national ranking since Oct. 16, 2017. NCCU returned to the national rankings last week at No. 25 by the AFCA.

For more information about NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.