North Carolina Central Eagles vs. South Carolina State Bulldogs: A Crucial MEAC Clash

The North Carolina Central Eagles and the South Carolina State Bulldogs are set to face off in a highly anticipated matchup on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg, SC. This game is billed as the unofficial MEAC Championship Game, given the strong standings of both teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

The North Carolina Central Eagles, currently 6-2, will be led by quarterback Walker Harris, who has amassed 1332 passing yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Key players like J’Mari Taylor, who had 230 yards and a touchdown in the last game, and Caden High, with 627 receiving yards, will be crucial to the Eagles’ success.

The South Carolina State Bulldogs, with a 5-2 record, will rely on quarterback Eric Phoenix, who has thrown for 1791 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Bulldogs boast a formidable wide receiver corps and a stout run defense, which will be tested against Taylor and the Eagles’ offense.

The coaching connections between the two teams add an extra layer of intrigue, with both head coaches, Trei Oliver of NC Central and Chennis Berry of SC State, having ties to Southern University. This matchup is expected to be intense, with the physicality battle and the strength of NC Central’s defensive line against SC State’s offensive line being key factors that could determine the outcome.

The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2, starting at 11:30 PM ET. The odds favor the Bulldogs slightly, with NC Central needing to win by 6 points or more to cover the spread. The total combined score is set at 55.5 points.