Football | 9/4/2025 10:56:08 AM

The six Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) football programs return to action on Saturday, Sept. 6, kicking off Week 2 following an exciting slate of season-opening matchups. 
 
Delaware State welcomes UAlbany to Dover in its 2025 home opener, while Howard heads north to Philadelphia, Pa., for a non-conference matchup against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field. North Carolina Central makes the short trip to Norfolk, Va., to square off against Sun Belt foe Old Dominion, and Norfolk State looks to bounce back when the Spartans host in-state rival Virginia State in the annual “Battle of the States.” South Carolina State, off to a 1-0 start, travels to Columbia for a showdown with 10th-ranked SEC opponent South Carolina. The day concludes in Baltimore, where Morgan State defends its home turf at Hughes Stadium against crosstown rival Towson in the "Battle for Baltimore".   
Here is a glimpse at this week’s contests. 
 

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Delaware State returns to Alumni Stadium on Saturday for its 2025 home opener, looking to build on a competitive showing in last week’s 35-17 road loss to Delaware. The Hornets kept the game close in the first half and were rewarded with a pair of MEAC weekly honors. Graduate running back Marquis Gillis, who rushed for 123 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown, was named MEAC Offensive Player of the Week, while defensive back Quinten Johnson earned Defensive Player of the Week recognition. UAlbany (0-1) visits Dover after a 34-7 loss at Iowa in its opener. Quarterback Jack Shields completed 13 of 26 passes for 134 yards and accounted for the Great Danes’ lone touchdown. Saturday’s game marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs. 
 

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Fresh off an exciting 10-9 victory over SWAC opponent Florida A&M, Howard will hit the road once again this weekend to face Temple at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles. The matchup marks the second of three straight road contests to open the season for the Bison.  Howard’s defense was the difference-maker in last week’s win, recording three sacks for a loss of 21 yards. Linebackers Cam Dyson and Ja’Quavion Smith anchored the effort with seven tackles apiece. That unit will face a tough challenge against a high-powered Temple offense that piled up 471 yards in a 42-10 victory over Massachusetts. Quarterback Evan Simon was highly efficient, completing 19 of 25 passes for 248 yards and six touchdowns, while the Owls also added 195 yards on the ground. Saturday’s matchup marks the second meeting between Howard and Temple, with the Owls holding a 1-0 lead in the series. 
 

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North Carolina Central looks to rebound from a 27-10 setback at New Hampshire as it visits S.B. Ballard Stadium this weekend to face FBS opponent Old Dominion. The Eagles (1-1) opened the season with a 31-14 victory over Southern in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and return one of the league’s most experienced rosters. Quarterback Walker Harris is averaging 179 passing yards through two games, while redshirt senior running back Chris Mosley has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in both outings. Old Dominion (0-1) dropped its opener 27-14 at No. 20 Indiana, finishing with just 96 passing yards. Quarterback Colten Joseph powered the ground game with 179 rushing yards and two touchdowns, with running back Maurki James adding 32 yards on 10 carries. Both will be key targets for head coach Trei Oliver’s defense, which looks to regain its Week 0 form. Old Dominion leads the all-time series 2-0, posting a 33-21 victory last time out during the 2010 season. 
 

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Norfolk State and first-year head coach Michael Vick look to bounce back from a 27-7 loss to Towson in Week 1. The game remained in reach as Spartans trailed just 13-0 entering the fourth quarter before the Tigers pulled away. A mid-game quarterback change provided a spark, as Otto Kuhns replaced starter Israel Carter (3-of-5, 16 yards). Kuhns finished 19-of-27 for 222 yards, completing 70.4 percent of his passes to energize the offense. DreSean Kendrick and Kam’Ryn Thomas combined for 226 of the Spartans’ 236 receiving yards in the game. Virginia State visits Norfolk after a 35-7 win over Barton College. The Trojans were CIAA runners-up in 2024, falling 17-13 to Virginia Union in the championship game. Virginia State leads the all-time series 31-23-2, though Norfolk State claimed last year’s matchup, 28-23.  
 

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South Carolina State looks to build on its 16-15 Week 1 victory over Wofford as it heads to Columbia, S.C., for a marquee matchup with No. 10 South Carolina. The Bulldogs, retooled with more than 30 transfers, leaned on their defensive identity, limiting Wofford to just 56 passing yards and 101 rushing yards. Offensively, quarterbacks William Atkins IV and Ryan Stubblefield combined for 309 passing yards, each surpassing 100 through the air. The Gamecocks (1-0) opened with a 24-11 win over Virginia Tech behind quarterback Lanorris Sellers, the 2024 FWAA National Freshman Offensive Player of the Year. Sellers went 12-of-19 for 209 yards, highlighted by a 64-yard strike to junior wideout Nyck Harbor, a key weapon in South Carolina’s attack. A win would mark a historic milestone for head coach Chennis Berry, making him the first in program history to defeat the Gamecocks. South Carolina leads the series 3-0, including a 50-10 victory in the 2022 meeting. 
 

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Morgan State returns home in Week 2 to host crosstown rival Towson after a 38-21 setback at South Alabama. The Bears posted a balanced attack with 159 passing yards and 181 rushing yards, led by MEAC Preseason Player of the Year Jason Collins Jr., who rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. Morgan State trailed just 24-14 late in the third quarter before the Jaguars pulled away. Towson (1-0) visits Hughes Memorial Stadium following a 27-7 win over Norfolk State. The Tigers’ offensive line paved the way for 136 rushing yards, while quarterback Andrew Indorf threw for 187 to fuel a steady offense. Just 5.3 miles separate the two schools, who renew a rivalry that saw Towson edge Morgan State 14-9 last season. The Tigers lead the all-time series 23-6 and carry a seven-game winning streak into Saturday’s matchup.