FAYETTEVILLE – In a thrilling edition of the Two Rivers Classic, Fayetteville State University staged a dramatic last-minute comeback to defeat UNC Pembroke 35-31 on Saturday night at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium. The victory gives Fayetteville State a 1-0 start to the season, while UNC Pembroke falls to 0-2.

The game was a back-and-forth affair that saw multiple lead changes throughout the contest. UNC Pembroke struck first when quarterback Tre Robinson connected with Josiah Hayes for a 5-yard touchdown pass. Fayetteville State responded with two field goals by John Hernandez-Vargas, narrowing the gap.

The Broncos took their first lead of the game on a 23-yard punt return touchdown by Theniias Moss. However, the advantage was short-lived as UNC Pembroke's D'Marcus Harrington intercepted a pass and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown, putting the Braves back in front.

UNC Pembroke extended their lead to 21-13 just before halftime when Josh Jenkins caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Robinson. The Braves continued to build their advantage in the third quarter with a 41-yard field goal by Ty Woods, making the score 24-13.

Fayetteville State began their comeback when quarterback Demari Daniels found Emanuel Ortega-Garcia for a 15-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 24-21. Daniels then gave the Broncos the lead with a 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, putting Fayetteville State ahead 28-24.

The drama intensified in the final minutes. UNC Pembroke regained the lead when Colin Johnson threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Smith, giving the Braves a 31-28 advantage with just over a minute left in the game.

However, Fayetteville State wasn't done. The Broncos put together a clutch five-play, 60-yard drive in the dying seconds. Daniels capped off the drive with an 11-yard touchdown run with just 17 seconds remaining, securing the 35-31 victory for Fayetteville State.

Daniels was the star of the game for the Broncos, finishing with 66 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground, while also throwing for 87 yards and a touchdown. His dual-threat ability kept the UNC Pembroke defense off balance throughout the contest.

Fayetteville State's defense played a crucial role in the victory, forcing four turnovers that led to 10 points. Caleb Legrand led the defensive effort with five tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery. Theniias Moss and Solomon Barnes also contributed to the turnover battle, each recovering a fumble.

David Baros was the Broncos' leading receiver, hauling in six catches for 116 yards. For UNC Pembroke, Tre Robinson completed 13 of 24 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns, while Josiah Hayes was the Braves' top receiver with 57 yards and a touchdown.

The victory improves Head Coach Richard Hayes' record to 2-2 in the Two Rivers Classic series. Fayetteville State will look to build on this exciting win as they move forward in their season, while UNC Pembroke will aim to regroup and secure their first victory in their next outing.

CLEMSON – The 22nd-ranked Clemson Tigers made a resounding statement against Appalachian State, known for its power-conference upsets, with a commanding 66-20 victory at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. This lopsided win came as a stark contrast to Clemson's season-opening 34-3 loss to top-ranked Georgia, where they had trailed 6-0 at halftime.

Clemson's offense was nearly unstoppable, particularly in the first half. The Tigers scored touchdowns on all eight of their first-half possessions, building an insurmountable 56-13 lead by halftime. Quarterback Cade Klubnik orchestrated the offensive onslaught with near-perfect execution, completing an impressive 24 of 26 passes for 378 yards and five touchdowns.

The fireworks started early for Clemson. On just the third play of the game, Klubnik connected with Bryant Wesco Jr. for a 76-yard touchdown pass on a third-and-11 situation. This explosive play set the tone for the rest of the game, as the Tigers' offense continued to fire on all cylinders.

Clemson's ground game was equally effective, with running back Phil Mafah leading the charge. Mafah rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries, including a spectacular 83-yard touchdown run. The Tigers' balanced attack kept the Appalachian State defense off-balance throughout the game.

Jake Briningstool was Klubnik's favorite target, hauling in seven receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Bryant Wesco Jr., despite having only three catches, made the most of his opportunities with 130 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Appalachian State's offense, which had shown promise in their previous outings against power-conference opponents, struggled to find rhythm against Clemson's stifling defense. Quarterback Joey Aguilar managed to throw for 213 yards and one touchdown but couldn't generate enough consistent offense to keep pace with Clemson's scoring barrage.

The Mountaineers' ground game, typically a strength, was largely contained. Anderson Castle led Appalachian State's rushing attack with 80 yards and a touchdown on seven carries, providing a rare bright spot for the visitors' offense.

Appalachian State showed signs of life in the second quarter when Castle scored on a 4-yard touchdown run, cutting into the deficit at 42-7. Kicker Michael Hughes added two field goals before halftime, extending his streak of consecutive made field goals to 14. However, these efforts proved insufficient against Clemson's relentless offense.

The Mountaineers opened the second half with a touchdown drive, capped by Aguilar's 17-yard touchdown pass to Makai Jackson. This reduced the deficit to 56-20, but it was too little, too late against the Tigers' overwhelming lead.

This loss drops Appalachian State to a 1-1 record for the season. It also breaks their recent trend of close games against power-conference opponents, as their previous eight such matchups had all been decided by seven points or less.

For Clemson, this victory evens their record at 1-1 and serves as a confidence booster after their disappointing season opener. The Tigers' dominant performance showcases their potential and sets a positive tone as they move forward in their campaign.

Appalachian State will look to rebound from this defeat as they prepare for their next game, an in-state matchup at East Carolina (2-0) scheduled for 4 p.m. in Greenville.

GREENSBORO – In the 23rd annual Soup Bowl, Guilford College's defense put on a masterclass performance, forcing five turnovers and shutting out crosstown rival Greensboro College in a 14-0 victory at Pride Field on Saturday. This win marks Guilford's eighth consecutive triumph in the rivalry series, improving their all-time record against Greensboro to 16-8.

The Quakers' defense set the tone early and maintained their dominance throughout the game. They held Greensboro to a mere 3.8 yards per play and prevented the Pride from running a single play in Guilford territory during the entire second half. This shutout is the third in the history of the Soup Bowl rivalry, with the previous two occurring in 2016 and 2014.

Eli Davis led Guilford's defensive effort with a career-high eight total tackles. Malik Hargrove, a transfer who previously played for Greensboro in 2021 and 2022, contributed six total tackles, including five solo stops, one tackle for a loss, and one sack. Avery Garner was a force in the backfield with 1.5 sacks among his 2.5 tackles for a loss.

The turnover battle heavily favored Guilford, with Tristan Bailey and Jaylan Richardson each intercepting Greensboro passes. Richardson, in particular, had a standout game with two interceptions. The Quakers' defense also forced and recovered a fumble, although the player responsible for this turnover was not specified in the game report.

Offensively, Guilford relied heavily on their ground attack, accumulating 198 net rushing yards. The Quakers employed a committee approach in their backfield, with Josh Campbell, Evan Sullivan, and Malik Woodard all recording double-digit carries. Campbell led the group with 73 yards on just ten carries, including a crucial late touchdown. Woodard served as the primary back, gaining 72 yards on 20 attempts and adding one reception for 17 yards, which resulted in the game's only receiving touchdown.

Photo Credit: Bryce Johnson (Guilford Athletics)

The scoring opened early in the game when Guilford capitalized on their first turnover. Tristan Bailey's interception on Greensboro's third play from scrimmage set up the Quakers in Pride territory. Despite two false start penalties, Guilford's offense persevered. The drive culminated in a short swing pass from Brown to Woodard, who tip-toed down the sideline for an untouched touchdown, putting Guilford up 7-0 less than five minutes into the game.

Surprisingly, the scoreboard remained unchanged for over 53 minutes of game time. Guilford had several opportunities to extend their lead, including two drives that reached inside Greensboro's five-yard line, but they couldn't convert these chances into points.

The Quakers finally broke through again late in the fourth quarter. After back-to-back carries of 12 and 25 yards by Campbell, the junior back punched it in from two yards out with just 1:50 remaining in the game, sealing the 14-0 victory for Guilford.

This win not only keeps the Soup Bowl trophy firmly in Quaker hands but also gives Guilford a 1-0 start to their season. The Quakers will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their home opener against Methodist on Saturday, September 14th, under the lights at Appenzeller Field.

CULLOWHEE – In a historic upset, Campbell defeated 17th-ranked Western Carolina 24-16 on Saturday at Whitmire Stadium, marking the Fighting Camels' first victory over a ranked opponent in program history. The win also gave new head coach Braxton Harris his inaugural triumph at Campbell's helm.

Photo credit: Dylan Ribott

Quarterback Chad Mascoe Jr. led the charge for Campbell, showcasing his arm talent with 306 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Fighting Camels' offense overcame a slow start, turning the tide after two turnovers in their first three possessions. They found their rhythm, scoring touchdowns on three of their next five drives and adding a Connor Lytton 30-yard field goal to build a 24-10 lead with 7:46 remaining in the third quarter.

Campbell's defense played a pivotal role in the victory, forcing an impressive five turnovers. This marked their most takeaways in a single game since September 18, 2021, when they collected 10 in a 72-0 win over Presbyterian. The defensive unit held Western Carolina without an offensive touchdown, limiting the Catamounts to 287 total yards.

VJ Wilkins proved to be Mascoe's favorite target, catching both of his touchdown passes and finishing with five receptions for 68 yards. Sincere Brown had a standout performance, crossing the century mark for the second consecutive game with 108 yards on four catches. On the ground, Mark Biggins shouldered the load, rushing for 81 yards on 23 carries.

Defensively, Jalen Brooks led Campbell with 12 tackles and an interception. Jonathan Melvin contributed six stops, including a sack, while CJ Tillman added six tackles with a tackle for loss. The secondary was particularly active, with Logan Livermon, Jojo Pace, and Lakeem Rudolph each recording interceptions.

Western Carolina's offense struggled to find consistency against Campbell's stout defense. Quarterback Cole Gonzales completed 18 of 35 passes for 172 yards but was intercepted four times. The Catamounts' ground game found little success, with Corey Reddick Jr. leading the team with just 52 yards on seven carries.

The game's dramatic conclusion saw Western Carolina mount a last-ditch effort to tie the score. With 37 seconds remaining, the Catamounts regained possession and drove to the Campbell 27-yard line. However, Gonzales' final heave into the end zone was batted down, securing the historic victory for the Fighting Camels.

This upset marks a significant milestone for Campbell's football program. Prior to this game, the Fighting Camels were 0-12 all-time against top-25 ranked opponents. The victory not only breaks that streak but also sets a new standard for the team under Coach Harris' leadership.

Looking ahead, Campbell will open their Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play at Rhode Island on September 14. The Fighting Camels will then make their home debut on September 21, hosting Stony Brook in the first of six games at Barker-Lane Stadium. With this landmark victory under their belts, Campbell looks to build momentum as they venture into conference play and the remainder of their season.

This past weekend saw a trio of exciting football games that kept fans on the edge of their seats. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, these matchups showcased the best of college football. Let's dive into the action and relive the highlights from each game.

Western Carolina Puts Up a Fight, but NC State Prevails 38-21

The NC State Wolfpack hosted the Western Carolina Catamounts in what turned out to be a high-scoring affair. The game started with a bang as Western Carolina's Cole Gonzales connected with Jake Young for an 8-yard touchdown pass, putting the Catamounts up 7-0 early in the first quarter.

NC State quickly responded, with quarterback Grayson McCall finding Kevin "KC" Concepcion for a 17-yard touchdown strike. The two teams traded blows throughout the first half, entering halftime tied at 14-14.

The third quarter saw NC State begin to pull away. Kicker Kanoah Vinesett nailed a 46-yard field goal to give the Wolfpack their first lead of the game. However, Western Carolina wasn't done fighting. Branson Adams burst through for a 17-yard touchdown run, putting the Catamounts back on top 21-17.

From there, it was all NC State. McCall and Concepcion connected for two more touchdowns, while running back Jordan Waters sealed the deal with a pair of rushing scores, including a 50-yard breakaway run in the fourth quarter.

McCall finished the day with an impressive stat line, completing 26 of 40 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns. Concepcion was his favorite target, hauling in 9 receptions for 121 yards and all three of McCall's touchdown passes. Waters led the ground attack with 123 yards and two scores on 20 carries.

For Western Carolina, Gonzales put up a valiant effort, throwing for 211 yards and two touchdowns. AJ Colombo was his top receiver, catching 9 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.

Despite the loss, Western Carolina showed they could hang with a tough NC State team, but the Wolfpack's offensive firepower proved too much in the end.

North Carolina Edges Out Minnesota in a Defensive Battle, 19-17

In a game dominated by defense and special teams, the North Carolina Tar Heels squeaked out a narrow victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 19-17.

The first quarter was a defensive stalemate, with neither team able to find the end zone. The scoring drought was finally broken early in the second quarter when UNC's Max Johnson punched in a 3-yard touchdown run. Minnesota answered quickly, with Marcus Major scoring on a 5-yard run to tie the game at 7-7.

The Gophers took the lead just before halftime on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Max Brosmer, sending Minnesota into the locker room up 14-7.

The second half belonged to North Carolina's special teams, particularly kicker Noah Burnette. Burnette was a perfect 4-for-4 on field goal attempts, including a booming 52-yarder in the third quarter. His clutch 45-yard kick with just 1:44 left in the game proved to be the difference-maker.

Minnesota had one last chance to win, but Dragan Kesich's 47-yard field goal attempt as time expired sailed wide, securing the victory for North Carolina.

The game was a defensive showcase, with both teams struggling to move the ball consistently. UNC's Omarion Hampton was the offensive standout, rushing for 129 yards on 30 carries. Minnesota's passing attack, led by Brosmer's 166 yards, kept them in the game, but it wasn't enough to overcome North Carolina's resilient defense and Burnette's heroics.

Wofford Edges Out Gardner-Webb in a Nail-Biter, 21-20

In a thrilling season opener at Spangler Stadium in Boiling Springs, N.C., the Wofford Terriers narrowly defeated the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in a back-and-forth battle that came down to the wire.

Gardner-Webb struck first, capitalizing on excellent field position thanks to Anthony Lowe's 41-yard kickoff return. The drive stalled at the Wofford 32, but Jay Billingsley's 44-yard field goal put the Runnin' Bulldogs up 3-0 early in the first quarter.

Wofford responded with an impressive 82-yard drive, capped off by a 17-yard touchdown pass from Amari Odom to Kyle Watkins. A successful two-point conversion put the Terriers up 8-3.

The seesaw battle continued as Gardner-Webb reclaimed the lead with a 67-yard drive, culminating in a 22-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Riddell to Giovanni Adopte. The teams traded field goals before halftime, with Gardner-Webb holding a slim 13-11 lead at the break.

The Runnin' Bulldogs seemed to take control early in the third quarter. A crucial defensive play by Jackson Marshall, who sacked Odom and forced a fumble, set up Edward Saydee's 32-yard touchdown run on the very next play. This extended Gardner-Webb's lead to 20-11.

However, Wofford wasn't done fighting. Ryan Ingram's 7-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter brought the Terriers within two points. The game-winning moment came with 5:50 left on the clock when Bridger Jones nailed a 45-yard field goal, putting Wofford ahead 21-20.

In a nail-biting finish, Wofford managed to convert a crucial 4th-and-1 from just over midfield with 90 seconds remaining, allowing them to run out the clock and secure the one-point victory.

Despite the loss, Gardner-Webb's quarterback Tyler Riddell had an efficient game, completing 18 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. The Runnin' Bulldogs' ground game, led by Saydee's explosive 32-yard touchdown run, contributed 62 yards to their total offense of 300 yards.

Wofford's balanced attack proved to be the difference, as they outgained Gardner-Webb with 379 total yards (260 passing, 119 rushing). The Terriers also dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 36:11 compared to Gardner-Webb's 23:49.

Both teams struggled on third down conversions, with Wofford going 6-for-15 and Gardner-Webb managing just 2-for-9. However, Wofford's ability to convert two crucial fourth downs (2-for-3) played a significant role in their victory.

CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte 49ers kicked off their 2024 season with a tough loss to the James Madison Dukes, falling 30-7 at Jerry Richardson Stadium. Despite a strong effort, the 49ers were unable to overcome the Dukes' powerful offense and stingy defense.

The Dukes struck first, scoring a field goal on their opening drive. The 49ers responded with a touchdown in the second quarter, but were unable to keep the momentum going. James Madison added to their lead with two more touchdowns in the second quarter, taking a 17-7 advantage into halftime.

The Dukes continued their dominance in the second half, scoring two more touchdowns to seal the victory. Despite the loss, there were some bright spots for the 49ers. Terron Kellman led the 49ers with seventy-six yards rushing while Sean Brown led the receiving corps with seventy yards on six receptions. Defensively, Reid Williford was all over the field, amassing eleven tackles.