DURHAM, North Carolina -- Of all the wins, all the championships in N.C. Central’s proud history, there’s a pretty good argument to be made that none was bigger than this. Because of what was at stake. Because of what was on the line. And, more than anything, because of who it was against: N.C. A&T.After a third straight win over the Aggies, the Eagles are undisputed, undefeated MEAC champions, and unlike the past two years, that title won’t be shared with anyone else. There are no quirky tiebreakers this year: No. 20 N.C. Central is headed to Atlanta for the Celebration Bowl after Saturday’s 42-21 win over No. 9 N.C. A&T, a margin flattered by an Aggies touchdown in the final seconds but as authoritative a win as the Eagles have had in this series in these players’ lifetimes.
“There’s something about going undefeated in the MEAC and beating the top team that everybody loves so much,” said N.C. Central running back Dorrel McClain, who played at Panther Creek and scored three touchdowns Saturday. “Being the underdog, it’s good to shove it in their face.”
N.C. Central’s wins over A&T the past two seasons earned the Eagles a share of the MEAC title, but they lost a five-way tiebreaker for the automatic FCS playoffs bid in 2014 and a three-way tiebreaker for the Celebration Bowl berth last year – to N.C. A&T, curiously enough.
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