WASHINGTON (Interstat) — Walker Harris threw four touchdown passes, three to receiver Chauncey Spikes, and the North Carolina Central Eagles dominated the Howard Bison 35-14 on Saturday at William H. Greene Stadium.

The Eagles seized control immediately, scoring on their first two possessions and building a 21-0 lead by halftime that the Bison could not overcome.

Harris, a quarterback from Rolesville, North Carolina, was efficient and explosive, completing 17 of 29 passes for 321 yards. His primary target was Spikes, who had a monster performance with nine receptions for 208 yards and three scores. Their first connection came on a 13-yard touchdown pass less than five minutes into the game. Just over six minutes later, they linked up for an 80-yard scoring strike that put the Eagles ahead 14-0.

The running game complemented the aerial attack, with Arthur Rodgers Jr. grinding out 126 yards on 15 carries. Harris added a 13-yard touchdown run with 38 seconds left in the first half to extend the lead.

Howard’s offense, led by quarterback Tyriq Starks, struggled to find consistency against the Eagles’ defense. Starks, from Carol City, Florida, completed 17 of 27 passes for 149 yards and was intercepted once. The Bison finally got on the board in the third quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Starks, cutting the deficit to 21-7.

North Carolina Central responded swiftly. Harris found Refeno Vangates for a 30-yard touchdown pass to push the lead back to 28-7. After Howard answered with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Ja’Shawn Scroggins to Zaden Jackson, Harris and Spikes connected for a third time, this time from 8 yards out, to close the Eagles’ scoring and seal the victory.

The Bison defense managed two interceptions, from defensive back Kedrick Green and linebacker Jay Jones II, but the offense could not capitalize sufficiently.

With the win, North Carolina Central improves to 6-3 across all competitions. Howard falls to 4-5. The Eagles will host Norfolk State next Saturday, while Howard travels to face South Carolina State.

The final score defied the pregame expectations, as Howard had been installed as a 15.5-point favorite. The combined score of 49 points went under the over/under line of 51.5.