No. 24 UCLA looks to go 3-0 for second straight season when it hosts North Carolina Central

The Associated Press

Updated 14 September 2023 at 11:40 am·2-min read

UCLA quarterback Dante Moore gets set to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Coastal Carolina Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

North Carolina Central (2-0) at No. 24 UCLA (2-0), Saturday, 5 p.m. ET (Pac—12 Network)

Line: No line according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series record: First meeting.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

UCLA is looking to go 3-0 for the second straight season. It is also the second straight year the Bruins are hosting an HBCU. North Carolina Central is making its first trip out west since starting the transition to Division I in 2007. The Eagles are winless in 12 games against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents. Their last FBS game was against Marshall in 2021 (a 44-10 loss).

KEY MATCHUP

NCCU quarterback Davius Richard is considered an NFL prospect. The senior was the MEAC offensive player of the year last season and is off to a good start this season, completing 66.7% of his passes and accounting for six touchdowns (three passing, three rushing). Scouts will see how the dual-threat signal caller does against a Bruins defense that has forced seven turnovers, including five interceptions.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

NCCU: Senior Khalil Baker is considered one of the best defensive backs in the Football Championship Subdivision after picking off five passes last season.

UCLA: Freshman quarterback Dante Moore got his first start last week at San Diego State and passed for 290 yards and three touchdowns. He has five TD passes in his first two games.

FACTS & FIGURES

UCLA coach Chip Kelly can go over .500 for his first time in Westwood with a victory. He is 29-29 in his sixth season after going 7-17 his first two years. ... The Bruins are 11-0 since the start of last season when they have more running plays than passing plays. ... UCLA is one of five teams in the Pac-12 to not allow a running play of 20 yards or more. ... North Carolina Central is facing an AP Top 25 team for the first time. ... The Eagles are looking to go 3-0 for the second straight season.

___

AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll

Australian Associated Press
Trump vows return to shooting scene, Obamas back Harris
Donald Trump has vowed to hold a "big and beautiful rally" in the town where he was shot at as Democratic rival Kamala Harris begins to narrow his lead.
Australian Associated Press
Latest tests show Seine water quality substandard
Tests results just released show the water quality in the Seine was below the standards needed to authorise swimming when Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo jumped in.
Australian Associated Press
Immigration detainee charged over alleged drug ring
Police allege an immigration detainee used an encrypted messaging service to deal drugs and co-ordinate a network of runners outside the facility.
Australian Associated Press
Aussie Chris Green stars with bat and ball for Rockets
Australian allrounder Chris Green has starred for the Trent Rockets in a 47-run win over the Northern Superchargers in the men's Hundred at Headingley.
Australian Associated Press
Ferraris, Fiji and an Aussie 7s blue-collar rebirth
Australia's blue-collar men's rugby sevens team will face two-time defending champions Fiji in the Paris Olympics semi-finals.
Australian Associated Press
Trent Rockets' Australian trio in successful lift-off
Trent Rockets' Australian contingent of Alana King, Heather Green and Ash Gardner came to the fore in a 20-run victory over Northern Superchargers.
Australian Associated Press
Flame soars, rain falls in historic Paris Games opening
Cathy Freeman's former rival played a key role as rain tumbled and Paris's 2024 Olympic Games was officially opened, 100 years after it first played host.
Australian Associated Press
Seeing clearly: 20/20 vision restored for refugees
Newly arrived refugees have higher rates of eye problems than most Australians but a free service is restoring vision for those losing it.
Australian Associated Press
Choi opens up lead in Senior Open, Green hangs tough
South Korean K.J. Choi has opened up a two-shot lead at the Senior Open with Australian Richard Green three shots behind at Carnoustie.
Australian Associated Press
Fire water set for Port Philip Bay and agriculture
Millions of litres of water from a large factory fire is being treated before it's released into the Port Philip Bay or used for industrial purposes.
Australian Associated Press
A week in Wayne's world inspires All Blacks great Umaga
Tana Umaga, Moana Pasifika coach and All Blacks legend has spent a week with Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins to soak up some cross-code benefits
Australian Associated Press
Mexico drug kingpin pleads not guilty to US charges
There are reports a younger man arrested alongside a Mexican drug cartel kingpin lured him to the US where both were arrested, as part of a plea bargain.
Australian Associated Press
Norris and Piastri deliver McLaren one-two in practice
Lando Norris leads home Oscar Piastri as the McLaren pair dominate second practice for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.
Australian Associated Press
Three days of mourning after deadly Ethiopian landslide
At least 257 people have died in a devastating mudslide in Ethiopia, and the search for bodies continues.
Australian Associated Press
Trump touts ties to Israel's Netanyahu, blasts Harris
US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump dispelled rumours of tensions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they met in Florida.
Australian Associated Press
Windies strike back late on as England hit a wobble
England face a battle after losing late wickets to close the first day of the third Test on three for 38 having earlier swept West Indies away for 282
Australian Associated Press
Swimmers look to start gold rush on opening day
Australia's swimmers will be the stars of the show on the opening day of competition at the Paris Games as they chase four Olympic gold medals.
Australian Associated Press
'Mission Impossible': Ebden laughs off Djokovic task
Australian veteran Matt Ebden is laughing off the prospect of taking on Novak Djokovic in his first tour-level singles match for two years at the Olympics.
Australian Associated Press
Blues' flat midfield not a concern for coach Voss
Carlton's midfield have not been at their dynamic best in recent weeks but coach Michael Voss says that he isn't concerned.
Australian Associated Press
Storm warning with Munster to take Hughes to next level
Jahrome Hughes has been one of the best players in the NRL in 2024, but his game could go to another level with Cameron Munster back on the field.

Latest stories