RALEIGH – Dave Doeren accepted responsibility for NC State's disappointing football season Tuesday, but the former Wolfpack head coach also delivered a pointed message about what the university must do to achieve the championships that eluded him during his 14-year tenure.

"For this program to become what is wanted and expected, the resources need to match the expectations," Doeren said in a final Zoom call with reporters. "That is the reality in college sports."

Speaking publicly for the first time since his dismissal Saturday, Doeren addressed reporters in Raleigh for more than 17 minutes without taking questions. His remarks combined an emotional farewell to the university with a defense of his record and an assessment of how the transfer portal and player compensation have changed college football.

Doeren was fired less than 24 hours after NC State's 31-28 loss at Stanford dropped the Wolfpack to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in Atlantic Coast Conference play.

The winningest coach in program history departed with 98 victories, four nine-win seasons and a record of sustained bowl eligibility. But he never delivered the ACC championship or 10-win season that remained among the program's most significant goals.

"I wanted so badly to win a championship here at NC State, but I will be cheering for this program to get there under its future leadership," Doeren said.

Much of his statement focused on the changing economics of college football and the difficulties of maintaining the player-development model that had helped define his success.

Doeren described taking pride in identifying overlooked recruits and developing them into productive college players over several seasons. That approach allowed NC State to build experienced rosters and compete against programs with more highly rated recruiting classes.

"We had a way to identify guys, develop them, and turn a two-star or three-star player into a five-star player," he said. "That motivated me."

The transfer portal and the expansion of name, image and likeness compensation, however, made that approach increasingly difficult.

Doeren said programs must now spend significant resources not only to acquire starters but also to retain experienced backups who might otherwise transfer for greater opportunities or compensation.

He argued that maintaining competitive depth has become particularly challenging for programs without the financial resources available to college football's wealthiest institutions.

"For as many great players as we've retained, we've also lost, on average, four potential NFL players a year over the last three years," Doeren said.

The former coach said losing experienced players can leave teams relying on freshmen or redshirt freshmen much earlier than anticipated, particularly when injuries affect the starting lineup.

"Retention and acquisition are expensive and very competitive in the space we're in now," he said.

The comments offered context for NC State's recent roster challenges.

Following an 8-5 season in 2025, the Wolfpack retained quarterback CJ Bailey but lost several significant offensive contributors through the transfer portal, including running back Hollywood Smothers, wide receiver Noah Rogers, offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak and receiver Terrell Anderson.

Doeren did not identify those players individually during Tuesday's statement, but his broader argument reflected the difficulties of retaining and replacing experienced talent in the current environment.

He also acknowledged that financial disparities between programs have become increasingly important in determining competitive success.

"There are haves and have-nots when it comes to how much money schools have in this space," Doeren said.

His remarks were not an explicit accusation that NC State's administration had failed to support him. Doeren praised athletic director Boo Corrigan, calling him a trusted leader and expressing confidence in the university's ability to find his replacement.

But he made clear that the next coach will face challenges that cannot be solved through recruiting and player development alone.

"You can't just recruit a class, develop them for four years, and make them better than everybody else's players," he said.

Despite those concerns, Doeren did not attempt to excuse the Wolfpack's struggles this season.

"I know this year was disappointing, and I take full blame," he said.

The acknowledgment came near the end of a statement in which Doeren outlined what he considered the accomplishments of his tenure.

He pointed to 98 victories, 11 bowl seasons, more than 32 players reaching the NFL and a team grade-point average that he said increased from 2.1 to 3.1.

He also highlighted the program's success against rival North Carolina, including five consecutive victories, and the growth of attendance at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Doeren said the program had changed significantly since his arrival in 2013, when empty seats and early departures were common at home games.

"Carter-Finley is a party, man," he said. "It's special because of you and your commitment to being at the games and cheering on the players."

Beyond football, Doeren expressed particular pride in OnePack Empowered, a university program supporting students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

He said the initiative currently serves approximately 50 students and has a waiting list. Doeren expressed hope that university leadership would find a way to continue the program after his family's final financial contribution in March.

The former coach also thanked numerous university employees, assistant coaches, academic staff members and North Carolina high school coaches who helped establish his family in Raleigh.

He reserved especially personal remarks for his wife, Sara, and their three sons, explaining that one of his original goals upon accepting the NC State job was to remain long enough for his children to grow up without having to move.

That goal, he said, had been accomplished.

Doeren also reflected on the unfamiliar experience of being unemployed after 32 years in coaching.

"I've coached for 32 years, and I've never been unemployed," he said. "These last few days in October, waking up with an empty calendar and no alarm clock, have been very different."

He said he does not know what comes next professionally but looks forward to spending time with family and friends, traveling, golfing and fishing.

For the first time since childhood, he expects to experience an autumn that does not revolve around football.

Still, Doeren emphasized that his relationship with NC State will continue.

"I leave here with no grudges," he said. "I completely love this place."

He also urged Wolfpack supporters to stand behind the current players and coaching staff as the team attempts to recover from its difficult start.

Running backs coach and special teams coordinator Todd Goebbel will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season, beginning Saturday when NC State hosts California.

Doeren said the players deserve continued support through the final five games, regardless of the coaching change.

His departure leaves NC State searching for a new leader while confronting questions about the financial commitments necessary to compete in an increasingly expensive college football landscape.

The next coach will inherit a program with a history of recent bowl appearances, a passionate fan base and expectations of competing for ACC championships.

Doeren's message Tuesday was that those expectations remain achievable, but the resources required to meet them have changed.

For a coach who spent 14 seasons trying to deliver a championship to Raleigh, the hope now is that his successor receives the opportunity to finish what he started.

RALEIGH – NC State has fired head football coach Dave Doeren after 14 seasons, ending the longest coaching tenure in program history less than 24 hours after the Wolfpack suffered a 31-28 loss at Stanford.

Athletic director Boo Corrigan announced the decision Saturday, with Doeren relieved of his duties effective immediately. NC State enters the remainder of the 2026 season with a 3-4 overall record and a 1-3 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference play.

"I want to thank Coach Doeren for his service and contributions to NC State, and for always representing the university with pride," Corrigan said in a statement. "I appreciate his leadership during his 14-year tenure and the passion he brought to this role. We wish Dave, Sara and his family the best in the future."

Todd Goebbel, who has served as NC State's running backs coach and special teams coordinator, will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Goebbel has been on the Wolfpack staff since 2019.

The university said a national search for Doeren's replacement would begin immediately.

The dismissal brings an abrupt end to an era defined by sustained competitiveness but an inability to deliver the conference championships and breakthrough seasons that have long eluded the Wolfpack.

Doeren, who arrived in Raleigh before the 2013 season following a successful tenure at Northern Illinois, leaves as the winningest head coach in NC State football history with 98 victories.

His teams recorded 10 winning seasons and reached bowl eligibility in 11 of his 14 years. NC State won at least eight games in five of the previous six seasons, including an 8-5 finish in 2025.

But the program never reached 10 victories in a season under Doeren, leaving the 2002 team led by quarterback Philip Rivers as the only 10-win squad in school history.

The Wolfpack also failed to capture an ACC championship during his tenure.

Doeren's most successful teams came close to establishing new benchmarks. NC State finished 9-4 in 2017 and 2018, went 9-3 in 2021 and posted another 9-4 campaign in 2023. Each of those seasons matched the second-highest victory total in program history.

The consistency represented a substantial improvement from the beginning of Doeren's tenure.

NC State went 3-9 during his first season in 2013 before rebounding to finish 8-5 the following year. The Wolfpack subsequently became a regular postseason participant, developing a reputation for competing against some of the ACC's strongest programs.

Yet the program struggled to turn that stability into championship contention.

The challenges became more pronounced as college football entered an era increasingly shaped by the transfer portal and name, image and likeness compensation.

Following an 8-5 season in 2025, NC State invested heavily in retaining quarterback CJ Bailey but lost several important offensive contributors.

Running back Hollywood Smothers transferred to Texas, wide receiver Noah Rogers departed for Alabama, offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak joined South Carolina and receiver Terrell Anderson moved to Southern California.

The roster turnover created additional challenges for a program attempting to maintain its competitive position in the ACC.

The 2026 season began with hopes of another winning campaign but quickly became uneven.

NC State managed an upset victory over Louisville but struggled against other Power Four opponents. Friday's loss at Stanford dropped the Wolfpack below .500 and ultimately proved to be Doeren's final game.

The Cardinal accumulated 477 yards of offense in the victory, including 303 passing yards and four touchdowns from quarterback Davis Warren.

The defeat left NC State with four losses through seven games and facing the possibility of its second losing season in three years.

The coaching change also carries substantial financial implications.

According to reporting by Rodd Baxley of the Fayetteville Observer, Doeren is owed approximately $9.75 million for the three years remaining on his contract if dismissed without cause.

That obligation comes as NC State prepares to enter a competitive coaching market while continuing to navigate the financial demands of modern college football.

The university's decision also reflects the expectations surrounding a program that has enjoyed sustained success without capturing the ACC championship its supporters have sought.

Doeren's 98 victories represent a significant achievement in NC State history. His teams reached bowl games regularly, produced four nine-win seasons and established a level of consistency that few previous Wolfpack coaches matched.

But the absence of a 10-win campaign or conference title remained a defining limitation.

Now, the responsibility for taking that next step will fall to a new head coach.

Goebbel inherits a team that still has five regular-season games remaining and an opportunity to recover from its disappointing start.

For NC State, the coaching search represents a major decision about the program's future.

The Wolfpack must find a coach capable of preserving the foundation Doeren established while delivering the championship-level results that remained beyond his reach.

After 14 seasons of stability, NC State is preparing for a new direction.

PEMBROKE – Josh Ehrlich accounted for 365 yards of total offense and four touchdowns Saturday afternoon as UNC Pembroke pulled away from Chowan for a 38-21 Conference Carolinas victory before 6,588 fans at Grace P. Johnson Stadium.

Ehrlich completed 18 of 21 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another 136 yards and a score, helping the Braves improve to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play. The victory handed Chowan (4-4, 3-1) its first league loss and strengthened UNC Pembroke's position in the conference race.

The Braves have now won all four meetings with the Hawks, including Saturday's Homecoming and Senior Day contest, and extended their Homecoming winning streak to 11 games.

But UNC Pembroke needed a strong second half to put away a Chowan team that twice held the lead before halftime and remained within three points midway through the third quarter.

The decisive stretch came after Chowan quarterback Tyler Adkins found Amir Alexander for a 16-yard touchdown with 8:14 remaining in the third quarter, cutting the Braves' advantage to 24-21.

UNC Pembroke answered with an 11-play, 53-yard drive that consumed nearly seven minutes. The possession survived a third-and-27 situation when Ehrlich scrambled for 23 yards, then converted fourth down with a 5-yard completion to Bryson Simpkins.

Ehrlich later connected with Aaron Osborne for 12 yards to reach the Chowan 1-yard line, where Jake Davids scored to give the Braves a 31-21 lead with 1:12 remaining in the third quarter.

The extended possession proved especially important. Chowan had just responded to an early second-half touchdown with a scoring drive of its own, but UNC Pembroke reclaimed a two-possession advantage and never allowed the Hawks to get closer.

The Braves' defense took over from there.

Chowan failed to score in the fourth quarter despite moving into UNC Pembroke territory on consecutive possessions. The first ended on downs at the Braves' 34-yard line with 7:14 remaining.

The Hawks threatened again late, advancing from their own 13 to the UNC Pembroke 37 before defensive lineman Isi Etute forced a fumble on a sack of Adkins. Myles Hudson recovered the loose ball and returned it 13 yards to midfield.

Three plays later, Ehrlich broke free for a 44-yard touchdown run with 1:39 remaining, completing the scoring and securing the 17-point victory.

The finish capped an afternoon in which UNC Pembroke outgained Chowan 437-281, including a decisive 208-54 advantage on the ground.

The Braves controlled the ball for more than 35 minutes and converted six of 11 third-down opportunities. They also scored on all four trips inside the red zone.

The game had been considerably tighter during the opening half.

UNC Pembroke struck first on a 37-yard field goal by Jared Navidad with 7:55 remaining in the first quarter. Chowan responded immediately, covering 75 yards in three plays before Adkins connected with Dezmond Randolph for a 39-yard touchdown and a 7-3 lead.

The Braves answered with an eight-play, 65-yard drive capped by Ehrlich's 13-yard touchdown pass to Malik Brown, reclaiming the lead at 10-7 late in the opening quarter.

Chowan moved back in front midway through the second period when Adkins found James Williams for a 25-yard touchdown. The five-play, 57-yard possession gave the Hawks a 14-10 advantage with 4:41 remaining before halftime.

UNC Pembroke responded with one of its most important drives of the afternoon.

Starting at its own 41, the Braves marched 59 yards in 11 plays, with Ehrlich finding Brown for an 8-yard touchdown on third down with just eight seconds remaining. The score gave UNC Pembroke a 17-14 halftime lead.

The Braves carried that momentum into the third quarter.

After receiving the second-half kickoff, UNC Pembroke needed only three plays to extend its advantage. Ehrlich connected with Jonathan Barnett for a 53-yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 24-14 just 1:26 into the period.

Chowan refused to go away, answering with an eight-play, 75-yard possession capped by Alexander's touchdown reception. But the Hawks' offense would not reach the end zone again.

Ehrlich's dual-threat performance was the difference. His 136 rushing yards came on 20 carries, including the late 44-yard touchdown, while his three passing scores gave him at least four touchdowns accounted for in four consecutive games.

Brown finished with four receptions for 49 yards and two touchdowns, marking his third consecutive game with multiple touchdown catches. Barnett added three receptions for 69 yards and a score, while Davids contributed 33 rushing yards, 39 receiving yards and a touchdown.

For Chowan, Adkins completed 19 of 27 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.

Randolph led the Hawks with five receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown. Alexander added five catches for 62 yards and a score, while Williams finished with four receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown.

The Hawks struggled to establish a consistent rushing attack against UNC Pembroke's defensive front. Lane Roberts led Chowan with 38 yards on five carries, while Timothy Baker Jr. added 36 yards on eight attempts.

UNC Pembroke recorded four sacks and eight tackles for loss, with Fred Giles contributing 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss. TaShawn Jeter and Jadin Baptist shared the team lead with seven tackles apiece.

Chowan's defense also produced several strong individual performances despite the loss. Cameron Richardson and Darian Whitaker each recorded nine tackles, while Tayshawn Benson finished with seven stops, four tackles for loss and two sacks.

The Braves' victory kept them firmly in the Conference Carolinas championship picture entering the final weeks of the regular season. UNC Pembroke has now won seven games for the second consecutive season while continuing its success at home.

The Braves will have a bye week before traveling to Ferrum on Nov. 7 for their regular-season finale.

Chowan, meanwhile, will look to rebound from its first conference defeat as the Hawks continue their pursuit of a strong finish to the season. 

ORONO, ME – Campbell's breakthrough season reached another milestone Saturday afternoon, as quarterback Kamden Sixkiller threw for a school-record 450 yards and three touchdowns to lead the No. 13 Camels past Maine 35-6 at Morse Field at Alfond Stadium.

The victory gave Campbell its seventh win of the season, establishing a new program record and surpassing the six-win marks reached in 2011, 2017, 2018 and 2019. The Camels improved to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in Coastal Athletic Association play, extending their winning streak to five games while remaining unbeaten against FCS competition.

Sixkiller completed 29 of 44 passes, spreading the ball among 13 different receivers as Campbell piled up 562 yards of total offense. His 450 passing yards established a school single-game record, while the Camels' defense held Maine to just 63 rushing yards and forced two turnovers.

The final margin, however, took time to develop.

Campbell opened the scoring midway through the first quarter when Sixkiller connected with Jon Gullette for a 53-yard touchdown. The two-play, 70-yard possession required just 46 seconds and gave the Camels a 7-0 advantage.

Maine answered early in the second quarter after Erv Wiggins Jr. intercepted Sixkiller and returned the ball 30 yards to the Campbell 27. Four plays later, Caden Drezek found Rashawn Marshall for an 8-yard touchdown pass. Samuel Tremblay missed the extra point, leaving the Black Bears trailing 7-6.

The Camels struggled to capitalize on their next two possessions, turning the ball over on downs at the Maine 12 before Alex Crabb missed a 28-yard field goal attempt.

Campbell finally created some separation late in the half.

Taking possession at its own 39 with 2:15 remaining, the Camels covered 61 yards in just four plays and 32 seconds. Ethan Lawrence finished the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run, sending Campbell into halftime with a 14-6 lead.

The third quarter proved decisive.

After forcing Maine to punt on its opening possession, Campbell took over at its own 11-yard line and marched 89 yards in 10 plays. Sixkiller capped the drive with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Brady Ambrose, extending the lead to 21-6 with 9:01 remaining in the quarter.

The Camels followed with another sustained possession, moving 74 yards in 10 plays before Gullette scored on a 1-yard run with 1:13 left in the third.

The two third-quarter drives consumed nearly nine minutes and transformed a competitive first half into a commanding 28-6 Campbell advantage.

Any remaining uncertainty disappeared early in the fourth quarter.

Following a Maine turnover on downs, Sixkiller needed just one play to find Jyron Waiters for a 59-yard touchdown. The nine-second possession pushed the lead to 35-6 with 13:55 remaining and completed Campbell's scoring.

Waiters finished with seven receptions for 155 yards, accounting for more than one-third of Sixkiller's record-setting passing total. Gullette contributed 59 receiving yards and 13 rushing yards, scoring twice, while Evan Austin added three catches for 50 yards and Christian Campbell caught four passes for 49 yards.

Campbell WR Jyron Waiters (Photo Credit: Campbell Athletics)

Campbell's passing attack accounted for 455 yards overall, including a 5-yard completion by backup Grayson Harvey. The Camels added 107 rushing yards and finished with 25 first downs.

While Sixkiller and the offense supplied the headlines, Campbell's defense made certain Maine never mounted a serious second-half challenge.

The Black Bears converted just two of 17 third-down opportunities and managed only 275 total yards. Maine was held scoreless over the final 42 minutes after its second-quarter touchdown.

Charles Battaglia led Campbell with 10 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. AJ Benton added nine stops and a pass breakup, while Ravel Cato recorded eight tackles, two pass breakups and an interception.

Greg Ransome also intercepted a pass, giving Campbell two takeaways on the afternoon.

The interceptions came on Maine's final two possessions, ending drives that had reached the Campbell 14-yard line. Cato's interception stopped a 16-play, 61-yard march midway through the fourth quarter, while Ransome's takeaway ended the Black Bears' final scoring opportunity.

Maine quarterback Caden Drezek completed 21 of 40 passes for 212 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Evan Wallace led the Black Bears with six receptions for 67 yards, while Marshall managed 32 rushing yards on 12 carries.

Defensively, Jeremiah McGill paced Maine with 11 tackles, and Noah Carpenter added 10.

The six points allowed represented Campbell's best defensive performance since a 72-0 shutout of Presbyterian in 2021. It was also the fewest points the Camels had surrendered to a conference opponent since defeating Presbyterian 34-6 in 2018.

For Maine, the loss dropped the Black Bears to 1-7 overall and 1-4 in conference play.

For Campbell, the victory continued a season that has already moved beyond the program's previous benchmarks. The Camels have now won seven consecutive games against FCS opponents to begin the season, with their only loss coming outside the subdivision.

More importantly, Campbell remains unbeaten in CAA play as the conference race enters its final month.

The Camels will return to New York on Oct. 31 for their first-ever meeting with UAlbany before closing the regular season with home games against Stony Brook on Nov. 7 and Monmouth on Nov. 21, with another road contest remaining between those dates.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Duke spent much of Friday night chasing Virginia on the scoreboard. With just over a minute remaining, the Blue Devils turned to an unlikely passer to complete the comeback.

Sophomore running back Nate Sheppard connected with Brody Keefe on a 28-yard touchdown pass with 1:14 remaining, lifting Duke to a 19-16 Atlantic Coast Conference victory over Virginia at Scott Stadium. Patrick Smith-Young intercepted a pass on the Cavaliers' final possession to preserve the win, giving Duke its first victory in Charlottesville since 2013.

The Blue Devils improved to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in ACC play, while Virginia fell to 4-4 and 2-3. The victory also gave Duke consecutive wins over the Cavaliers for the first time since 2012-14, following last season's 27-20 overtime victory in the ACC Championship Game.

Friday's finish required a dramatic reversal for a Duke offense that had not reached the end zone since its opening possession.

Trailing 16-13 with three minutes remaining, quarterback Walker Eget took over at his own 25-yard line and began moving the Blue Devils downfield. Eget completed four of five passes for 45 yards during the possession, putting Duke in position for one final scoring opportunity.

Then came the play that decided the game.

Eget threw a backward pass to Sheppard, who found Keefe open in the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown. The trick play capped a seven-play, 75-yard drive that consumed just 1:46 and gave Duke a 19-16 lead.

Freshman kicker Gavin Strange missed the extra point, leaving Virginia an opportunity to tie with a field goal. But the Cavaliers never reached scoring range.

Smith-Young intercepted Virginia quarterback Beau Pribula with 36 seconds remaining, ending the final threat and securing Duke's seventh ACC road victory in its last eight conference games away from home.

The late heroics followed a game in which Virginia controlled possession for nearly 39 minutes and outgained Duke 353-327.

Sheppard had provided the Blue Devils with an early advantage, scoring on a 32-yard touchdown run with 10:59 remaining in the first quarter. The four-play, 78-yard drive included a 35-yard reception by Jonah Burton and gave Duke a 7-0 lead.

Virginia answered with an 80-yard touchdown drive of its own, capped by Jekail Middlebrook's 1-yard run on fourth-and-goal. The score tied the game at 7-7 late in the opening quarter.

The Cavaliers took control in the second quarter, using a pair of Will Bettridge field goals to build a 13-7 halftime lead. Bettridge connected from 21 yards with 9:06 remaining before adding a 32-yarder as time expired.

Duke's offense struggled throughout the first half after its opening touchdown, managing just 37 yards on its next four possessions.

The Blue Devils began working their way back after halftime.

CJ Campbell Jr. returned the second-half kickoff 33 yards, and Duke moved into position for a 39-yard field goal by Strange, cutting the deficit to 13-10.

Virginia threatened to extend its advantage later in the third quarter, but Duke's defense prevented the Cavaliers from adding to their lead.

With Virginia facing third-and-11 at the Duke 30, Ché Ojarikre sacked Pribula for a five-yard loss. Bettridge subsequently missed a 47-yard field goal attempt, keeping the Blue Devils within three points.

Strange tied the game at 13-13 with another 39-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter. A 43-yard reception by tight end Jake Taylor, his longest career catch, helped set up the kick.

Virginia responded with an 11-play, 62-yard drive that reached the Duke 11-yard line. The Blue Devils prevented a touchdown, however, forcing the Cavaliers to settle for Bettridge's 30-yard field goal with exactly three minutes remaining.

That defensive stand proved critical, leaving Duke within one possession and setting up Sheppard's game-winning touchdown pass.

The Blue Devils' defense was particularly effective after halftime, allowing just three points while recording four of its five sacks.

Ojarikre finished with two sacks, while Kobe Smith, Tyshon Reed Jr. and Kevin O'Connor each added one. Nick Morris Jr. led Duke with 11 tackles, followed by DaShawn Stone with nine and Smith-Young with eight.

Duke also forced a third-quarter fumble, with Will Felder Jr. knocking the ball loose from Pribula and Reed recovering.

Virginia's rushing attack presented a persistent challenge. Middlebrook finished with 117 yards on 24 carries, while Pribula added 66 rushing yards despite being sacked five times.

Pribula completed 15 of 24 passes for 158 yards and an interception. John Rogers led Virginia with five receptions for 65 yards.

Duke managed just 71 rushing yards, with Sheppard accounting for 55 on 15 carries. His performance nevertheless carried historical significance, as he surpassed 2,000 career rushing yards in just his 21st game, becoming the 10th player in program history to reach the milestone.

Only one Duke player has reached 2,000 rushing yards faster.

Eget finished 14-of-25 passing for 211 yards and an interception, while Dan Mahan completed two of five attempts for 17 yards. Sheppard's lone pass attempt supplied Duke's only passing touchdown.

Burton led the Blue Devils with four receptions for 59 yards. Keefe added three catches for 48 yards, including the game-winner, while Jared Richardson contributed four receptions for 47 yards.

The victory also continued a strong stretch for Duke under head coach Manny Diaz, who earned his 23rd win with the program and moved into sole possession of seventh place on the school's all-time coaching victories list.

Duke has now won at least five games in five consecutive seasons, just the third such stretch in program history and the first since 1949-58.

The Blue Devils have also recorded 40 victories since the beginning of the 2022 season, three more than they managed during the previous seven seasons combined.

Friday's win was particularly significant given the circumstances. Duke had been outgained on the ground, struggled to sustain drives and trailed for most of the final three quarters.

But the Blue Devils held Virginia to field goals when touchdowns could have put the game out of reach, then produced their most important offensive play when the outcome depended on it.

A running back's touchdown pass and a safety's interception were enough to send Duke home with a conference road victory that had eluded the program for 13 years.

BOONE – Three years after ending James Madison's perfect season in overtime, App State did it again Thursday night.

James London connected on a 40-yard field goal in overtime, and the Mountaineers knocked off previously unbeaten James Madison 34-31 before a sold-out crowd of 33,322 at Kidd Brewer Stadium, dealing a major blow to the Dukes' College Football Playoff aspirations.

The victory improved App State to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in Sun Belt Conference play while dropping James Madison to 7-1 and 4-1. The Dukes entered Thursday as one of just six remaining unbeaten teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision and a leading contender for the College Football Playoff berth reserved for the highest-ranked conference champion from the Group of Six.

The result carried a familiar sting for James Madison. In November 2023, App State traveled to Harrisonburg and handed a 10-0 JMU team its first loss, winning 26-23 in overtime. Nearly three years later, the Mountaineers delivered another setback to an undefeated Dukes squad, this time on their home field.

Thursday's finish was every bit as dramatic.

App State appeared headed for a regulation victory when Henry Hasselbeck found Luke Douglas for a 4-yard touchdown with 5:52 remaining, giving the Mountaineers their first lead of the night at 31-24. The touchdown came just 24 seconds after London had tied the game with a 36-yard field goal.

But James Madison responded with a 15-play, 71-yard drive that consumed nearly the entire remaining clock. Quarterback Camden Coleman capped the possession with a 6-yard touchdown run with just three seconds left, and Morgan Suarez added the extra point to force overtime at 31-31.

The Dukes had an opportunity to extend the game in the extra period, but Suarez missed a 47-yard field goal attempt. App State needed just three plays before turning to London, whose 40-yard kick completed the upset.

London finished a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals, connecting from 48, 27, 36 and 40 yards. His performance proved essential on a night when App State managed just 81 rushing yards against a James Madison defense that entered the contest allowing only 16 points per game.

The Mountaineers instead leaned heavily on quarterback Malachi Singleton, who completed 26 of 40 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Singleton also delivered one of the game's most unusual scoring plays, catching his own 5-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter.

The touchdown and ensuing two-point conversion erased a 21-13 deficit, pulling App State even at 21-21 with 13:15 remaining.

Singleton's first touchdown pass came late in the second quarter, when he connected with Alexander Sanchez for a 19-yard score that cut James Madison's lead to 14-10 at halftime. Earlier in the period, London had put the Mountaineers on the scoreboard with a 48-yard field goal.

App State continued chipping away after halftime, using London's 27-yard field goal to pull within 14-13. James Madison answered with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Coleman to Cole Keller late in the third quarter, restoring an eight-point advantage.

The Dukes had controlled much of the early action. George Pettaway opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and JC Evans connected with Braeden Wisloski for a 70-yard touchdown pass in the second.

James Madison finished with 423 yards of offense compared with 366 for App State, but the Mountaineers repeatedly found ways to keep the game within reach.

The App State defense limited a JMU rushing attack that entered the game averaging 223.7 yards per contest to just 92 yards on 30 carries. Pettaway, the Sun Belt's leading rusher entering Thursday, managed 57 yards on 15 attempts.

The Mountaineers also intercepted Coleman once, with Colton Phares recording the takeaway and returning it 21 yards. App State finished with seven points off turnovers while committing none of its own.

Coleman completed 22 of 39 passes for 232 yards and a touchdown, while Evans added 99 passing yards and another score in limited action. Together, the two quarterbacks accounted for 331 passing yards as James Madison attempted to preserve its unbeaten season.

For App State, Nate Branch led the receiving corps with six catches for 73 yards, while Sam Pickett III added six receptions for 63 yards. Chris Lofton caught four passes for 54 yards and a touchdown, and Jamel Howse contributed five receptions for 49 yards. Jaquari Lewis led the rushing attack with 74 yards on 13 carries.

The victory also continued an eventful stretch for the Mountaineers under second-year coach Dowell Loggains. After opening Sun Belt play with a 10-3 home loss to Old Dominion in difficult weather conditions, App State rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to beat Coastal Carolina 35-32 last Friday.

Six days later, the Mountaineers produced an even more consequential result against a James Madison program that entered the week leading the Sun Belt in both scoring offense and scoring defense.

The loss complicates the Dukes' path toward a conference championship and a potential College Football Playoff appearance, while App State moves back into contention in the Sun Belt East Division.

For the Mountaineers, the next challenge comes Oct. 31 at Georgia Southern. They will make that trip with consecutive conference victories and another overtime upset of an unbeaten James Madison team to add to the program's history.

HICKORY – Wingate erased a 14-3 halftime deficit to beat Lenoir-Rhyne 20-17 on Saturday at Moretz Stadium, winning on Gunnar Hilsinger’s 25-yard field goal with 1:27 left and sealing it when Anthony Dangerfield intercepted a pass with 51 seconds to play.

The Bulldogs improved to 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the South Atlantic Conference. The Bears fell to 3-5 and 2-4.

Hilsinger’s kick capped a 13-play, 77-yard drive that began at the Wingate 15 and used 5:52, right after Lenoir-Rhyne tied the game. Brooks Brien kept it moving with his arm and his legs: a 6-yard completion to Kayden Bash on third-and-5, a 34-yard throw to Xavier Jackson to the Lenoir-Rhyne 25, and a 5-yard run on third-and-4. Jason Willis gained 7 on third-and-11 to set up the kick.

The Bears got the ball back at their 30 with 1:19 left. Elijah Evans sacked Wells Bettenhausen, the next pass fell incomplete, and on third-and-10 Dangerfield picked him off. Brien took a knee to end it.

Wingate’s defense controlled the second half, sacking Bettenhausen six times, five of them in the fourth quarter, and holding the Bears to 51 net rushing yards. Evans had two sacks, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble that Geviaunta Walker recovered. Tyson Brown added two sacks. Dangerfield finished with nine tackles and two pass breakups to go with the interception.

The Bulldogs had to climb out of a hole partly of their own making. Hilsinger’s first field goal, ending a 13-play, 72-yard drive, made it 3-0 in the first quarter. After Bryson Steele intercepted Bettenhausen, Brien’s 23-yard throw to Jackson set up first-and-goal at the 7, but Wingate came away empty, turned over on downs at the 4.

Lenoir-Rhyne then scored twice in less than five minutes late in the second quarter. Carson Spoonts, in for a snap in place of Bettenhausen, threw a 48-yard touchdown to Tye Roberson with 6:35 left in the half. Brodie Bradburn intercepted Brien and returned it 43 yards to the Wingate 15, and LJ Turner scored from 5 yards out with 1:51 left. RJ de Madet picked off Brien again before the break.

Wingate opened the second half with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that Willis finished with a 9-yard touchdown run. After Daniel Deneen Jr. missed a 45-yard field goal for Lenoir-Rhyne, Brien found Damonte James for a 51-yard touchdown on third-and-11 with 1:17 left in the third quarter, putting the Bulldogs up 17-14. Deneen had also missed from 34 yards in the first quarter, and the two misses left six points off the board.

The Bears tied it in the fourth, and the drive could have gone differently. An offside penalty on Wingate during a punt gave Lenoir-Rhyne a first down, Mikel McClellan caught a 35-yard pass, and Spoonts ran 18 yards for what appeared to be a touchdown until a holding penalty brought it back. Bettenhausen was sacked on the next play, and Cole Allbaugh kicked a 37-yard field goal with 7:26 left to make it 17-17.

Wingate outgained Lenoir-Rhyne 398-284 and converted 10 of 17 third downs to the Bears’ 4 of 13. Brien threw for 247 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions and added 26 rushing yards. Jackson had five catches for 108 yards, and Willis ran for 90 yards. For Lenoir-Rhyne, Bettenhausen threw for 185 yards with two interceptions, Jarrod Mewborn and McClellan combined for 12 catches and 146 yards, Turner ran for 47 yards and a touchdown, and Christian Santana had 12 tackles. The Bears turned the ball over three times to Wingate’s two.

“Very disappointing,” Lenoir-Rhyne coach Doug Socha said. “This is a game that comes down to one score. We had bad penalties, turnovers, and not good enough in critical moments. It starts with me and we will all stay focused on improving.”

Each of Lenoir-Rhyne’s five straight losses to Wingate has come by four points or fewer. The Bears still lead the all-time series 24-18.