Dover, Del. (Oct. 29, 2022) --- North Carolina Central's offense scored the game-winning points in the final minute, and its defense broke up a potential touchdown pass in the endzone on the final play of the game to seal a 28-21 victory over Delaware State in a MEAC thriller on the Hornets' homecoming at Alumni Stadium today.    
The Eagles rebounded from a tough loss to MEAC preseason favorite South Carolina State last week to improve to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in the conference. Delaware State dropped its second in a row after winning its previous two games to fall to 4-4 and 1-2.
The game featured four lead changes in the second half, the last two coming in the final four minutes. 
Delaware State grabbed its second lead of the game, 21-20, on a 44-yard pass from C.J. Henry (r-fr.; Newark, Del.) to Rahkeem Smith (fr.; Baltimore, Md.) with 3:54 left to play. The Hornets attempted a two-point play after the touchdown, but Henry's pass was intercepted in the endzone.
Smith scored all three Delaware State touchdowns, two by the pass and the other on a run play. He caught three passes for 55 yards and had two rushes for 47 yards in the game. 
On the ensuing possession, N.C. Central needed just four plays to regain the lead. Quarterback Davius Richard connected with E.J. Hicks on a 25-yard touchdown pass to cap off the 60-yard scoring drive. The Eagles converted a two-point pass after the touchdown to lead 28-21 with 56 seconds left to play.
Aided by a NC Central penalty on the ensuing kickoff, Delaware State started the final possession of the game at the Eagles' 43-yard line, needing a touchdown and extra point to tie the score.
The Hornets appeared to be out of chances after an incomplete pass on fourth down at the NCCU 41, but the Eagles were penalized for pass interference in the endzone in the final 30 seconds. Delaware State faced fourth down and goal from the Eagle nine-yard line with three seconds left to play, but a pass by Henry to Bizzett Woodley was knocked away in the endzone as time expired.
North Carolina Central opened the scoring when Richard ran to the endzone from 13 yards out after the Eagles recovered a fumble at the Delaware State 35 when Henry was sacked on the game's first play from scrimmage.
The Hornets pulled to within 7-3 on a 39-yard field goal by Jonathan Cardoza-Chicas with 4:23 left in the first quarter.
After the Eagles stretched their lead to 10-3 on a 22-yard field goal by Adrian Olivo in the second quarter, the Hornets answered with a touchdown on a 10-yard pass from Henry to Smith with 2:35 to go before halftime. The extra point kick was unsuccessful after the touchdown, preventing the Hornets from tying the score.
NC Central added another field goal with nine seconds left in the second quarter to stretch its lead to 13-9 at the break.
Delaware State led for the first time when Smith darted to the endzone from 48-yards away on a wide receiver reverse, however, the ensuing two-point attempt failed, putting the Hornets ahead just 15-13 at the 12:18 mark of the third quarter. 
 
Delaware State was outgained 453-390 in the game. NC Central passed for 272 yards and rushed for 181, while the Hornets threw for 255 and ran for 135.
Richard, the preseason All-MEAC First Team quarterback, completed 19 of 27 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns, but was intercepted twice by Delaware State defensive back Romell Harris-Freeman.
Henry connected on 19 of his 28 throws for a career-high 255 yards and two scores.
Defensively, Delaware State linebacker Brooks Parker led all players with eight tackles, including four solo stops. 
The Hornets return to action next Saturday (Nov. 5) at South Carolina State in a MEAC contest. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m. in Orangeburg, SC.