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North Carolina Central impresses during win over Southern in MEAC-SWAC Challenge

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North Carolina Central Head Coach Trei Oliver lifts the trophy after his team wins the 2025 MEAC-SWAC Challenge game on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/Black Press USA)

ATLANTA — North Carolina Central running back Christian Mosley ran for 178 yards and a touchdown in front of a national television audience. His Eagles slowed down the Southern Jaguars, securing a 31-14 victory Saturday night at the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Mosley’s efforts garnered him MVP honors. With the victory, NC Central won their second MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Moreover, the MEAC has won the curtain-raising classic game 12 out of 20 times. One game was suspended due to stormy weather conditions.

On the opening drive, NC Central quarterback Walker Harris led the Eagles on a nine-play, 80-yard opening march to the endzone. Harris had an 18-yard run and Arthur Rodgers capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.

Southern quarterback, and Jackson State transfer, Cam’Ron McCoy, ran a quarterback draw 69 yards for a touchdown, tying the game at seven.

In the second quarter, Southern wide receiver Darren Morris dropped what would surely be a touchdown pass. Southern would eventually punt. NC Central kicker Kaleb Robinson successfully nailed a 31-yard field goal attempt, giving the Eagles a 10-7 lead.

Trey Holly, a transfer from LSU would score on a 80-yard touchdown run, giving Southern a 14-10 lead. Holly signed with LSU as a member of the 2023 recruiting class but he was charged with attempted second-degree murder, illegal use of a weapon, and aggravated criminal damage to property. Every charge except for the illegal use of a weapon would later be dropped. LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly told Holly he cannot return to the team until his legal issues were resolved. As a result, Holly transferred to Southern.

North Carolina Central wins the line of scrimmage

Meanwhile, it would be the final time the Jaguars would score Saturday night.

“I’m disappointed in the way that we played,” Southern coach Terrence Graves said. “We didn’t play the way that we’re capable of playing. And we got to go and fix some things and get back on the drawing board so we can get on pace to do what we need to do.”

The Eagles slowed down Southern’s run-pass option (RPO) plays by sliding their defensive linemen in certain interior gaps. It forced the Jaguars to run the ball wide, resulting in NC Central taking away Southern’s running attack. As the game wore on, Southern could not run the ball as well. Both of their quarterbacks, McCoy and Jalen Woods, threw for a combined 92 yards.

“It’s a blessing,” Mosley said after the game. “I want to thank my coaching staff for trusting me. It starts with the [offensive] line, man, we we got the best o-line in the MEAC. You start with those boys. So running behind them makes my job easier. All I got to do is make one or two [players] miss. I already got the speed. So is the rest is history.”

What’s Next

North Carolina Central will host their home opener on Saturday, Aug. 30, when they welcome New Hampshire to O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:00 PM Eastern Time on ESPN+. Meanwhile, Southern will travel to Itta Bena, Miss. to take on the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM Central Time on SWAC TV.

“Man, we love classics! Orange Blossom, Circle City, and the Celebration Bowl,” exclaimed North Carolina Central Head Coach Trei Oliver. “You know, we’re going to show up when the lights are on. And you know, it’s the opportunity when you have a chance to play in venues like this and those big games, I relish that. And these young men, we talk about it. Not everybody has an opportunity. So we prepare and thank God we’ve been able to come out on top. But you know, I didn’t play in venues like this. And when I was in school, I didn’t have these opportunities. So these guys right here, I try to explain to them, we’ve got to make the most of it. And, you know, be opportunistic as they prepare to be champions. We’ve been able to make the most of and have some success.”

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Itoro Umontuen serves as the National Sports and Entertainment Editor with Black Press USA. He is also a veteran photographer for 20 years, based in Atlanta for the past 15 years. His photography and videography style is a blend of portraiture and contemporary photojournalism. Previously, Umontuen served as the Managing Editor for The Atlanta Voice. While at the historic publication, Umontuen reported on local, statewide, and national politics. He also photographed thousands of sporting events, including Super Bowls and National Championships. He also engineers podcasts while mentoring emerging journalists. Umontuen is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University.

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Dr. Jineea Butler joins Niele Anderson to discuss breaking news, from ICE detainee transparency to Angel Reese’s historic win. Tune in for the context behind the headlines.

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Today, Niele Anderson is joined by Dr. Jineea Butler as they discuss the death of Joseph Hutchison Jr. following allegations involving his family’s funeral home, nearly 4 million newly searchable records of enslaved people, Nicki Minaj’s message to young voters, new concerns over ICE detainee transparency, and Angel Reese making franchise history with AP Defensive Player of the Year honors.

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BlackPressUSA TV discusses headlines and hotlines in this video.

Today, Niele Anderson is joined by Dr. Jineea Butler as they discuss the death of Joseph Hutchison Jr. following allegations involving his family’s funeral home, nearly 4 million newly searchable records of enslaved people, Nicki Minaj’s message to young voters, new concerns over ICE detainee transparency, and Angel Reese making franchise history with AP Defensive Player of the Year honors.

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Asm. Corey Jackson Announces Launch of 24-Hour Childcare in His District

Assemblymember Corey Jackson has secured $2 million in state funding for a proposed childcare special district in Moreno Valley and Perris. This funding aims to establish a system providing 24-hour, seven-day-a-week childcare, which would be California’s first special district focused solely on childcare. The initiative seeks to address the area’s designation as a “childcare desert” and high costs for working families. The funding will cover startup, planning, and formation costs for the district. Read more about the specifics of this groundbreaking initiative.

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Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley). File photo.
Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley). File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) has secured $2 million in state funding to launch a proposed childcare special district serving families in Moreno Valley and Perris, paving the way for a system designed to provide childcare 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Moreno Valley-Perris Childcare Special District would be the first special district in California focused specifically on childcare, according to Jackson’s office. The state funding will cover startup, planning, and formation costs and help the district meet requirements set by the Riverside Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO.

The proposed district would coordinate a mixed-delivery childcare system that could include home-based and center-based care. The goal is to provide universal childcare for families who work overnight, early morning, or other nontraditional shifts.

Jackson’s office says Moreno Valley is a certified “childcare desert,” with licensed childcare spaces available for only 15% of children with working parents. Infant care in Moreno Valley averages $2,776 a month, or about 35.7% of median household income. In Perris, licensed infant care can cost more than 60% of an individual worker’s gross median earnings, according to the assemblymember’s office.

“Securing this $2 million in startup funding is a monumental victory for the working-class families of Moreno Valley and Perris who have been trapped in a childcare desert for far too long,” Jackson said.

The proposal follows Jackson’s unsuccessful effort to establish the district through Assembly Bill 2083. The legislation would have created the district as a dependent special district covering Moreno Valley, Perris and their spheres of influence, with Riverside LAFCO responsible for reviewing its formation and boundaries.

The new funding allows the district’s formation to move forward without requiring mandatory contributions from local school districts and other stakeholders, according to Jackson’s office. His spokesperson, Daniel Peeden, said Jackson hopes the district can be operating by 2028.

The proposal has faced questions from some local officials. Moreno Valley City Councilmember Ed Delgado, who is running against Jackson for the 60th Assembly District seat, said he supports affordable childcare but questioned how the proposed district would operate and how much it would ultimately cost.

“Basically, he didn’t have a plan. We didn’t see a plan,” Delgado said, adding that officials had questions about operating costs, insurance and eligibility.

“It’s going to take a lot more than $2 million to create a special district to provide affordable childcare,” Delgado said.

Delgado has suggested working with existing childcare centers to subsidize costs for local families rather than creating a new agency.

Jackson’s office says the program will lower barriers to “workforce participation” and reduce “affordability anxiety” for young families. This landmark District is poised to trigger a virtuous cycle of economic upward mobility and long-term regional prosperity in the 60th Assembly District, his office added.

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