Monarch Opponents: NC Central Football Preview

By David Asbury

FCS Game for the Home Opener (WEAR HUDSON BLUE)
The Monarchs are 8-0 against FCS teams since moving up to the FBS in 2014.  That is how it should be because FCS teams technically play at a lower level, always play the visitor and are considerably less well-funded than their FBS peers. 

But that doesn't mean it is always easy.  The last FCS team to visit the Castle made it very uncomfortable for ODU.  The Monarchs escaped an unrecoverable embarrassment by defeating the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions (now called East Texas A&M) with a 10-9 score.  The Lions actually scored a touchdown to put themselves into position to tie and take the game to overtime. However, instead of opting for the game tying extra point, they took the gamble for a game winning two-point conversion that ultimately failed thanks to a LaMareon James interception.  

In 2019, a similar scare occurred when Norfolk State took the lead late against the Monarchs but LaLa Davis punched in a touchdown for the Monarchs with about 3 to go to put the Monarchs on top for good and secure what would become ODU's only win of the season.  Having said all that, the Monarchs typically play very well against FCS teams, like when Rahne and company defeated the Hampton Pirates 47-7 in 2021 or when Wilder's squad defeated VMI 77-14 in old Forman Field's last football game in 2018 (an ODU record for most points in a game).  The Monarchs hope that this year's FCS game resembles those games and is an easy win that helps the team get ready and tune-up for tougher opponents.

 
Current Cleveland Brown LaMareon James intercepts the attempted two-point conversion to save ODU from a historic embarrassment. Photo courtesy of CB Sports Photography.

This year, the Monarchs will pay the North Carolina Central Eagles to come play them in Norfolk for the home opener.  The Monarchs are actually 2-0 against the Eagles from when a Thomas DeMarco-led Monarchs defeated them in 2009 and again in 2010.  Given FBS teams are only allowed one win against an FCS opponent per season to count towards the six wins required for bowl eligibility, most FBS teams schedule an FCS program they believe they will beat that is close by since they are more apt to take a smaller guarantee (in other words, a more affordable home game). 

The Eagles appear to fill both conditions but should not be overlooked. They are an HBCU from the FCS conference that is headquartered in Norfolk, the MEAC. And they're a pretty good MEAC team.  Head Coach Trai Oliver enters his fifth season as coach with a steady staff.  He has found a lot of success winning the Celebration Bowl in 2022 and sports a solid 37-21 overall record. They are 0-3 against FBS teams (Marshall '21, UCLA '23, and UNC '24).  Last season, the Eagles went 8-3 overall and 4-1 in the conference (2nd in the MEAC).

The Eagles actually return a lot of good pieces.  Quarterback Walker Harris returns for his senior year with the Eagles after an impressive 2024 outing where he was named 2nd-team All-MEAC.  Last season he completed 61.1% of his passes with 18 touchdowns to only six interceptions and 1,845 yards.  He is a pocket passer with negative rushing yards. He is a top-tier MEAC quarterback that may have his team competing for the MEAC Championship.   However, he is still a MEAC quarterback playing at a lower level.  He hasn't fared well against FBS teams.   Against the UNC Tarheels he only completed seven passes for 88 yards and no touchdowns in a blowout loss.  Against UCLA in 2023, he threw for 114 yards, took three sacks and no touchdowns in another blowout loss.  And while he would likely be ranked lowly if playing in the Sun Belt, he is still a very good FCS quarterback that is more than capable of making plays against the Monarchs. He should not be overlooked by our defense. 

The Eagles' offense will have to find a new running back as leading rusher J'Mari Taylor transferred to Virginia.  Interestingly, NCCU head coach Oliver told reporters that the wildest thing he has ever seen was his running back on the sideline being recruited by a Virginia Tech coach.  Taylor ended up choosing Virginia over Virginia Tech, but (if true) it is a sign of how much the portal is impacting college football. 

2nd team All-MEAC wide receiver Markell Quick will be the top returning receiver.  Finally, the Eagles also sport a very good line anchored by First-team all-MEAC Trevon Humphry.  In total, the Eagles had eight all-MEAC offensive players and should repeat that number on offense.

The defense also sports good players.  Linebacker Max U'ren should be the leader of a stout defense.  He's a veteran linebacker that has 157 total tackles since 2022 and was 2nd-team All-MEAC last season.  He will be the star of a pretty good MEAC defense.  First team All-MEAC cornerback Malcolm Reed also returns.  Reed was also named a State Perform Preseason All-American.  Last season, this defense did not allow another MEAC squad score more than 24 points in any given game.  In fact, it only allowed UNC and Elon to score more than 24 points all season.  They should repeat as one of the MEAC's best defenses.

Overall, the NC Central Eagles are a very very good MEAC team.  The coaches poll picked them to repeat their 2nd place finish from last season and Fans Nation Network agrees ranking them the 42nd best FCS team in the country.  They are talented enough to win the entire conference and should make short work of Norfolk State again this season when they play each other for a conference game. 

Now, let's be real, this is still a MEAC team.  If ODU wants to put themself in position to compete for the Sun Belt, they should not struggle in this game. Good teams don't struggle in games they are heavy favorites. They should control the game from start to finish and put any notion of an upset away very early. Kicking off the season at home with a lopsided win that allows for the backups to get considerable playing time late in the game. Anything less should be considered a disappointment.  The Monarchs should continue their streak and go 9-0 against FCS teams as an FBS member. 

Having said all that, the Monarchs cannot afford to overlook anyone.  Upsets happen in college football all the time and the Monarchs have cut it too close with FCS teams in the past.  They need to go into the game like they would any other and prepare for the Eagles as if they were preparing for any other team. Finish through the whistle and live up to the mantra we all know well by now, go 1-0 on every down and whoop 'em.