N.C. Central University’s Eagle football team is set to make its national television debut at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25 at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem.

The Eagles will face-off against conference rival, Winston-Salem State Univer-sity and the game will be televised and aired by Black Entertainment Television.

NCCU was added to the original schedule of games on Sept. 10 and joined ten Historically Black Colleges and Universities including Hampton, Jackson State, and Tennessee State.

Since 1981, BET has aired some of the most highly anticipated and legendary football battles in Black College Football.

In a BET press release, Jacque Coleman, BET Vice President of specials and sports programming said, “Each year we enhance our coverage by adding new elements that make the season more thrilling than the year before.

“This year’s schedule promises to be one of the most exciting schedules we’ve ever televised, and also one of the most competitive terms of matchup.” NCCU football players are excited about the game being televised.

“I think it’s great ,” said senior offensive lineman Joseph Sanders.

“Being on BET is huge. I’m excited and so is the team because this is our time to shine.”

Last year the Rams defeated NCCU 12-23.

Led by new coach Rod Broadway, the Eagles have a different style from last year. The Eagles have scored 103 total points mid-way through the season compared to 138 last year.

Broadway has opened the offense up by passing the ball more. They have 73 competitions so far this year, 11 fewer than last year.

Broadway is no stranger to nationally televised games having been an assistant coach at UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, and the University of Florida.

However, this will be his first appearance on BET.

“As coaches we are more concerned with preparing the players to play and win,” said Broadway .

“But I’m excited for the players because this will give them great national exposure.”

George Johnson of Comcast Sports Net will handle all the play-by-play calls as BET embarks on its 22nd year of black college football action.

He will be joined by former Minnesota Vikings’ receiver and member of the 2000 Super Bowl Champions the Baltimore Ravens, Qadry Ismail.

In addition to the football game, BET will also air the “Half Time” show, which will showcase N.C. Central’s band, the NCCU Sound Machine.

“We’ve been on television before, but this is really good exposure for the band,” said sophomore tuba player Tony Wilson. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

Sports Information Dir-ector Kyle Serba said this will be great exposure for the university.

“I think anytime you can put the university on the map it’s great,” he said. “NCCU and WSSU have always been a good rivalry and that’s why BET chose that game.