How much does the non-conference really matter? That’s the question that North Carolina Central has its fanbase and the MEAC following at-large pondering right now. After a slow 2-5 start to their 2026 season, the outlook for the Eagles suddenly feels a lot different after their conference opener against Delaware State on Friday night. NCCU manhandled the Hornets and, despite what that overall record says, they are 1-0 in league play and are now a leg up on one of the teams that folks thought might make a sneaky push for a Celebration Bowl bid this year.
Running back Gino Addison was the star of the night for NC Central. The true freshman bruiser piled up 214 rushing yards along with two touchdowns in Dover for career highs in both categories. Addison’s first score came on the Eagles’ first (and only) drive of the third quarter. The 16-play march that ate up over eight minutes of game time was capped by Addison’s six-yard TD run that made it 17-6 in favor of NCCU and, effectively, put the game on ice against a DSU squad that looked stagnant for most of the evening.
North Carolina Central (RB) Gino Addison in the endzone for a 6-yard touchdown with 8:34 remaining in the third quarter to pad the Eagles' lead against Delaware State. pic.twitter.com/rteaRmQ6Qw
— HBCU Premier Sports More (@HBCUSports1) October 24, 2026
Delaware State tried out two quarterbacks but neither were able to take flight. Ui Ale and Jayden Sauray both tooj snaps but neither were able to find the end zone. Sauray, who threw two first-half interceptions, was benched at halftime for Ale. Ale would finish the night with only 74 passing yards on nine completions. Marqui Adams would also take a few snaps under center late in the game.
The issues that plagued the Hornets went well beyond an ineptitude to move the ball through the air, however. Kicker Patrick Fisher-Butler missed the PAT on Delaware State’s first touchdown and then proceeded to miss a 47-yard field goal attempt later in the third. Between that, going one-f0r-eight on third down and mustering only 117 rushing yards, DSU didn’t put up much of a fight against their now MEAC-leading opponents.
North Carolina Central looked much better across the board than they have for most of this season so far. The Eagles offense ended with 427 yards and quarterback Cobey Thompkins was near-perfect, completing 15 of his 18 throws for 155 yards, a touchdown and no picks. The defense logged three sacks as well with junior defensive lineman Zarion Walters leading the way up front. Walters got in on a sack and had a team-high six tackles (all solo).
NC Central moves to 1-0 in conference play and, for now, atop the MEAC standings. They will now turn their attention to a big Halloween matchup with Howard, a game they will need to win as well if they are to keep pace with favorites like SC State and Morgan State in the conference race.
Meanwhile DeSean Jackson’s Delaware State team slips to 4-4 overall and 0-1 in the league. They will take on Norfolk State next weekend on a neutral site that both Jackson and his next coaching counterpart Michael Vick know well. The Hornets will square off with the Spartans at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia next Saturday.