Football | 8/20/2025 11:23:33 AM

NORFOLK, Va. — The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) will kick off Week 0 when North Carolina Central University faces Southern University in the 20th annual Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The game is set for Saturday, Aug. 23 at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta and will air live on ABC at 7:30 p.m. ET.   

This will mark the second meeting between the two programs. The teams previously faced off during the 2006 season (Sept. 23), when North Carolina Central defeated Southern, 27-20, in Baton Rouge.  It will also be the fourth MEAC/SWAC Challenge appearance for Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) representative Southern. Meanwhile, MEAC representative North Carolina Central will make its third appearance in the Challenge and its first since a victory over Alcorn State in 2021. 

Southern, led by second-year head coach Terrence Graves, enters the season following an 8-5 finish and a SWAC West Division title in 2024. The Jaguars return several key players, including sophomore running back Barry Remo and redshirt junior Darren Moris. Southern last appeared in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in 2017, when they defeated South Carolina State 14-8 in Baton Rouge, La. 

North Carolina Central finished second in the MEAC last season at 8-3 (4-1) and returns to a veteran core on both sides of the ball. Leading the way is quarterback Walker Harris (Add his preseason accolades), who completed 139 of 227 passes for 1,882 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2024. First Team All-MEAC offensive lineman Trevon Humphrey also returns to anchor the trenches. Under head coach Trei Oliver, the Eagles have compiled a 27-8 record over the past three seasons, including a Celebration Bowl victory in 2022. 

The MEAC/SWAC Challenge serves as the official kickoff to the college football season and highlights the strength and tradition of HBCU football on a national stage. In last year's MEAC/SWAC Challenge, Florida A&M edged Norfolk State 24-23 in a thrilling matchup that drew over 1.3 million viewers on ABC. 

For more information on MEAC football, log on to www.MEACsports.com.  

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