DURHAM, N.C. — In a thrilling encounter on Saturday night, J’Mari Taylor emerged as a standout performer for North Carolina Central, rushing for 200 yards and scoring a touchdown on 27 carries, leading the team to a 16-7 victory over Morgan State.

Quarterback Walker Harris connected with Markell Quick for a pivotal 49-yard touchdown pass, contributing to N.C. Central’s solid performance. Harris completed 18 of his 31 attempts for 216 yards, though he did throw an interception during the game. Quick was also a key player, recording five receptions for 96 yards, showcasing his skills on the field for N.C. Central, which now boasts a record of 6-2 overall and 2-0 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

For Morgan State, Jason Collins Jr. provided a glimmer of hope with his 72 yards gained on 14 carries. He managed to score a 2-yard touchdown run with just under 10 minutes remaining in the game, cutting the Eagles’ lead to 10-7. However, N.C. Central responded quickly as Taylor made a significant 50-yard run for a touchdown, culminating a six-play drive that covered 73 yards. After a failed extra-point attempt, the score stood at 16-7 with 6:37 left in the game.

The scoring began when Quick scored on a long pass from Harris with 7:06 remaining in the second quarter. The Eagles solidified their lead by adding a 21-yard field goal from Kaleb Robison midway through the third quarter, pushing the score to 10-0 and setting the stage for their eventual win.