Showing posts with label Barker-Lane Stadium. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barker-Lane Stadium. Show all posts

Sunday, September 28, 2025

Western Carolina Rallies Past Campbell's Comeback Bid, 42-35

10:13 AM


BUIES CREEK – Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens threw for 427 yards and four touchdowns, but it was wide receiver James Tyre's surprising 61-yard touchdown pass that sealed a wild 42-35 victory over Campbell on Saturday afternoon at Barker-Lane Stadium.


The Catamounts (2-3) built a commanding 35-10 lead early in the third quarter before watching Campbell (1-4) mount a furious comeback that brought the Camels within seven points twice in the fourth quarter. Just when it appeared Campbell might complete the rally, Tyre, a former high school quarterback, delivered the decisive blow with 4:19 remaining.


After Campbell had cut the lead to 35-28 on Stevie Keener's 26-yard touchdown reception, Western Carolina needed just two plays and 39 seconds to restore its two-score advantage. Dickens found Tyre for 14 yards on first down, then Tyre took an end-around reverse and launched a perfect strike downfield to Painter Richards-Baker, who outran the Campbell secondary for the 61-yard score.


"That play put us back in control when we needed it most," could have been said about Tyre's heroics, as the Suwanee, Georgia native finished with six catches for 101 yards receiving while adding 47 return yards on two punts for a game-high 148 all-purpose yards.


The victory marked Western Carolina's second straight win and first-ever triumph in the series against Campbell. More importantly, it showcased the Catamounts' offensive balance under Dickens, who completed passes to 11 different receivers while adding 35 rushing yards.


Western Carolina dominated the first half, racing to a 28-3 lead behind Dickens' precision passing. The redshirt sophomore found tight end Brayden Blackmon for 17 yards in the second quarter, then connected with Marcus Striggles for 32 yards and David Hulbert for 9 yards to build the commanding advantage.


The early momentum began with defense turning into offense. After Campbell turned the ball over on downs at Western Carolina's 35-yard line on the game's opening drive, the Camels appeared poised to capitalize when they forced a three-and-out. Instead, Hasaan Sykes intercepted Kamden Sixkiller at the Campbell 12-yard line, setting up Camury Reid's 1-yard touchdown plunge at 10:37 of the first quarter.


Campbell managed just three points in the first 31 minutes, settling for Alex Crabb's 32-yard field goal after missing a 41-yarder earlier in the second quarter. But the Camels showed their resilience with a 12-play, 83-yard drive capped by Sixkiller's 12-yard rushing touchdown just before halftime, cutting the deficit to 28-10.


The third quarter began ominously for Campbell when James Tyre returned a punt 47 yards to the Camels' 34-yard line, leading to Patrick Boyd Jr.'s 10-yard touchdown reception that extended Western Carolina's lead to 35-10 with 11:11 remaining in the period.


What followed was a dramatic Campbell revival. Mike Chandler II, who threw for 79 yards on just two completions while adding 19 rushing yards, scored on a 10-yard run and connected with Trevor Wilson for the two-point conversion, trimming the lead to 35-18.


The fourth quarter belonged to Campbell's comeback attempt and Western Carolina's clutch response. Crabb's 21-yard field goal made it 35-21 with 13:12 remaining, then Sixkiller found freshman Keener for his first career touchdown reception, a 26-yard strike that brought the Camels within 35-28 with 4:58 on the clock.


Sixkiller, who finished 18-of-45 for 205 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception, added 55 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. His mobility kept drives alive throughout Campbell's second-half surge, though he also lost a fumble that Western Carolina recovered.


After Tyre's touchdown pass restored the two-score lead, Campbell refused to quit. Sixkiller orchestrated an eight-play, 65-yard drive culminating in his second rushing touchdown with 2:11 remaining, setting up a dramatic finish.


The Camels' onside kick was recovered by Richards-Baker, giving Western Carolina possession at its own 47-yard line. Facing fourth-and-1 at the Campbell 38 with under two minutes remaining, the Catamounts turned to Tyre again. The versatile receiver hauled in his sixth catch of the day for the crucial first down, allowing Western Carolina to run out the clock.


Defensively, Western Carolina was paced by linebacker Jordan Thompson, who recorded 11 tackles including 2.5 for loss and a sack. The performance matched his career high and marked his second double-digit tackle game. Caleb Fisher contributed four tackles with two for loss and a sack-fumble, while the Catamounts totaled nine tackles for loss as a team.


Campbell's defense, led by Kalen Villanueva's 11 tackles, created pressure with Justin Garza recording a strip sack among the Camels' two forced fumbles in the second half. However, Western Carolina's balanced offensive attack proved too much, as the Catamounts accumulated 564 total yards with 488 coming through the air.


Beyond Tyre and Richards-Baker, Western Carolina received significant contributions from several receivers. Freshman Michael Rossin caught three passes for 88 yards, while Malik Knight added four receptions for 76 yards. Reid, coming off a four-touchdown performance the previous week, managed 43 rushing yards on 11 carries to complement his early scoring run.


For Campbell, Trayjen Llanas-Wilcox emerged as the leading receiver with five catches for 124 yards, establishing a career high in a Campbell uniform. The Camels' ground game generated 153 yards on 37 attempts, with Naieem Kearney contributing 46 yards and Ethan Lawrence adding 30 yards on just five carries.


The statistical battle revealed Western Carolina's efficiency advantage. While Campbell controlled possession for 36:40 compared to Western Carolina's 23:20, the Catamounts averaged 8.1 yards per play versus Campbell's 5.1. Western Carolina also converted more effectively on third downs (2-of-11) than the raw numbers suggest, as several big plays eliminated third-down situations entirely.


Special teams played a significant role throughout the contest. Beyond Tyre's crucial punt return, Western Carolina's Stephen Brantley averaged 49.4 yards on five punts, while Campbell's Aiden Bonde averaged 46.1 yards on seven attempts. Crabb's field goal accuracy (2-of-3) kept Campbell within striking distance during the comeback bid.


The victory positions Western Carolina for Southern Conference play, having completed its nonconference schedule with momentum. The Catamounts will travel to face Wofford next Saturday in their first game outside North Carolina this season, while Campbell prepares for a challenging road test against NC State in Raleigh.


Key Performers:

  • James Tyre (WCU): 6 catches, 101 yards, 47 punt return yards, 1 TD pass
  • Taron Dickens (WCU): 26-40, 427 yards, 4 TD passes
  • Painter Richards-Baker (WCU): 5 catches, 99 yards, 1 TD
  • Jordan Thompson (WCU): 11 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack
  • Kamden Sixkiller (Campbell): 18-45, 205 yards, 1 TD pass, 55 rush yards, 2 rush TDs
  • Trayjen Llanas-Wilcox (Campbell): 5 catches, 124 yards

Western Carolina Rallies Past Campbell's Comeback Bid, 42-35

Sunday, September 21, 2025

Campbell Survives Double Overtime Battle Against Bryant, 50-48

3:39 PM

BUIES CREEK – Campbell secured its first victory of the season in dramatic fashion Saturday, outlasting Bryant 50-48 in double overtime at Barker-Lane Stadium. The win marked the Camels' first overtime victory since 2019 and their first 50-point performance since 2023.

Randall King dominated the evening for Campbell, hauling in eight catches for 142 yards and four touchdown receptions. The sophomore receiver tied a school record for touchdown catches in a single game, matching Aaron Blockmon's mark from 2016, and recorded the most touchdown receptions by a Camel against a Division I opponent.

The game featured four ties and five lead changes before requiring extra periods to determine a winner. Campbell (1-3, 1-1 CAA) entered overtime after Bryant quarterback Brennan Myer found Aldrich Doe for a 35-yard touchdown with six seconds remaining in regulation, capping a seven-play, 75-yard drive that erased the Camels' 35-28 lead.

Bryant (2-2, 0-1 CAA) appeared positioned to secure victory late in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs took a 28-21 advantage with 5:33 remaining when Liam Lindo intercepted a Kamden Sixkiller pass and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown. Campbell's next possession ended when Ethan Lawrence fumbled at the Campbell 25-yard line, with Bryant's Hollis Dirstine recovering.

The Bulldogs advanced to the Campbell 23-yard line but missed a 40-yard field goal attempt, returning possession to the Camels with 3:09 on the clock. Campbell needed just one play to respond. Sixkiller launched a deep pass down the middle to King, who caught it at the Bryant 32-yard line and raced untouched into the end zone for a 77-yard touchdown that tied the game at 28-28 with 2:58 remaining.
Campbell QB Kamden Sixkiller
Photo Credit: Bennett Scarborough

Bryant appeared ready to regain control on their ensuing drive. Myer completed a 20-yard pass to Doe to reach the Campbell 49-yard line, then Dylan Kedzior rushed for four yards to the Campbell 45. On third down, DaVonyae Pettis sacked Myer for a two-yard loss, forcing a fumble that Ebenezer Bedada recovered at the Campbell 47.

Campbell capitalized immediately. Mike Chandler II broke free for a 33-yard run to the Bryant 20-yard line, then Sixkiller connected with Parker Jones for nine yards before finding King in the corner of the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown that gave the Camels a 35-28 lead with 1:15 remaining.

Bryant refused to surrender. Starting at their own 25-yard line, the Bulldogs methodically moved downfield. Myer completed passes of five and 20 yards to advance to the Campbell 50, then rushed for eight yards himself. After two incomplete passes, he found Tristen Riley for seven yards on fourth-and-two at the Campbell 42. On the next play, Myer delivered a strike to Doe, who made the catch at the Campbell 15 and scored the game-tying touchdown.

The first overtime period saw both teams find the end zone. Bryant struck first when Myer scrambled left for an 18-yard touchdown run, capping a three-play drive. Campbell answered with a five-play drive that culminated in Chandler throwing a three-yard touchdown pass to King, marking the receiver's fourth score of the evening and tying the game at 42-42.

In the second overtime, Campbell took possession first and needed six plays to score. Sixkiller completed a 27-yard pass to Trayjen Llanas-Wilcox to reach the Bryant 5-yard line, then found Dawson Adams-Grenier for a seven-yard touchdown. The Camels attempted a two-point conversion, with Naieem Kearney successfully rushing up the middle to extend their lead to 50-42.

Bryant responded quickly, requiring only two plays to reach the end zone. Elijah Elliott rushed for five yards, then Kedzior swept left for a seven-yard touchdown run. The Bulldogs' two-point conversion attempt failed when Myer's pass was knocked down, preserving Campbell's 50-48 victory.

Sixkiller finished 29-of-48 passing for 334 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. His five touchdown passes fell one short of the school single-game record. Campbell accumulated 557 total yards of offense, with 220 yards coming on the ground – a season high for the Camels.

Barry Tate provided the most explosive rushing play of the evening, breaking free for a 59-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that temporarily gave Campbell a 14-7 lead. Chandler contributed both as a passer and receiver, catching three passes for 40 yards and a touchdown while also throwing for a score.

For Bryant, Myer completed 15-of-34 passes for 215 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He also rushed for two touchdowns, including the game-tying score in regulation and the first overtime touchdown. Kedzior carried 13 times for 93 yards and two touchdowns, providing consistent production throughout the evening.

Doe emerged as Bryant's primary receiving threat, making five catches for 92 yards and one touchdown. His 35-yard scoring reception in regulation time showcased his ability to create separation and make contested catches in crucial moments.

Defensively, Campbell forced three turnovers. Donavan Philord and Evan Spivey each recorded interceptions, while Pettis forced the critical fourth-quarter fumble. Logan Livermon led the Camels' defense with 10 tackles, and Pettis registered 2.5 tackles for loss.

Bryant's defensive effort was paced by Lonnie Rice, who recorded a game-high 11 tackles. Lindo's pick-six temporarily gave the Bulldogs control late in the game, while Dirstine contributed with a fumble recovery and an earlier interception.

Campbell will return to Barker-Lane Stadium for the third consecutive week when they host Western Carolina on September 27 for Military Appreciation Day. The Camels will seek to build momentum from their first victory as they move toward the rest of CAA conference play.

Key Statistics:

  • Campbell total offense: 557 yards (337 passing, 220 rushing)
  • Bryant total offense: 390 yards (215 passing, 175 rushing)  
  • Randall King: 8 catches, 142 yards, 4 TDs (tied school record)
  • Kamden Sixkiller: 29-48 passing, 334 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs
  • Dylan Kedzior: 13 carries, 93 yards, 2 TDs
Campbell Survives Double Overtime Battle Against Bryant, 50-48

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Campbell Upset Bid Foiled by Last Second Field Goal

11:31 AM

BUIES CREEK – Brandon Peskin's 36-yard field goal with one second remaining lifted No. 13 Richmond over Campbell 27-24 Saturday afternoon at Barker-Lane Stadium, spoiling the Camels' latest upset bid.


Richmond (8-2, 6-0 CAA) trailed for much of the contest before mounting a decisive late-game drive, covering 45 yards in 11 plays to set up Peskin's game-winner. The victory came despite Campbell's impressive 273-yard rushing performance, a season-best for the Camels (3-7, 1-5 CAA).


The drama peaked in the final two minutes. After Campbell's Brandon Guzman intercepted Richmond quarterback Camden Coleman with 3:46 remaining, the Camels advanced to the Spider 35-yard line but failed to convert on fourth down. Coleman, who finished with 252 passing yards and two touchdowns, then engineered the winning drive by completing four of five passes and rushing for 27 yards to position Peskin for the decisive kick.


Campbell controlled the early stages, taking a 7-0 lead when Mike Chandler II capped a 91-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Richmond responded early in the second quarter as Coleman connected with Nick DeGennaro on a 40-yard touchdown pass to level the score.


The momentum shifted immediately back to Campbell when Randall King returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, marking the Camels' first kickoff return score since 2018. Connor Lytton's 40-yard field goal as time expired in the first half gave Campbell a 17-7 advantage.


Richmond rallied in the third quarter. Zach Palmer-Smith's 1-yard touchdown run cut the deficit to 17-14, and Peskin's first field goal of the day, from 36 yards, tied the game at 17 heading into the fourth quarter.


The Camels reclaimed the lead when Chandler II, who rushed for a season-high 121 yards, found Sincere Brown for a 14-yard touchdown pass. Brown's catch was his 11th touchdown reception of the season, establishing a new Campbell single-season record.


Richmond answered with a methodical 12-play, 76-yard drive, culminating in Coleman's 9-yard touchdown pass to Ja'Vion Griffin that tied the game at 24 with 4:45 remaining.


Landon Ellis led Richmond's receiving corps with seven catches for 101 yards, while Campbell's ground attack featured strong contributions from JJ Cowan, who added 82 yards on 12 carries.

Photo Credit: Bennett Scarborough

Defensively, Richmond's Matthew Traynor led all players with 12 tackles, including two for loss, and intercepted a pass. Campbell's Cornelius Davis recorded nine tackles, and Jalen Brooks registered eight stops with the game's only sack.


The victory keeps Richmond unbeaten in CAA play. Campbell will finish its 2024 season with a road game at Delaware next Saturday before hosting Towson on November 23.


Saturday, October 26, 2024

Campbell Defeats NC A&T 21-7 Behind Brown's Two Long Touchdowns

7:40 PM

BUIES CREEK – Campbell wide receiver Sincere Brown caught two deep touchdown passes to lead the Fighting Camels to a 21-7 victory over North Carolina A&T on Saturday afternoon at Barker-Lane Stadium.


Brown's first touchdown came early, hauling in a 64-yard strike from quarterback Chad Mascoe just 75 seconds into the game. He later sealed the victory with a 53-yard touchdown reception from Mike Chandler II in the fourth quarter, finishing with 150 receiving yards on five catches.


Campbell's Sincere Brown on his way to the end zone (Photo Credit: Bennett Scarborough)

The Fighting Camels (4-5, 2-3) controlled the first quarter, building a 14-0 lead after Chandler II scored on a 7-yard run with eight seconds remaining. Campbell's ground attack was effective throughout, accumulating 167 rushing yards led by JJ Cowan's 74 yards on 11 carries.


NC A&T (1-8, 0-5) struggled to find offensive rhythm early but showed life in the fourth quarter. The Aggies mounted their best drive of the day, marching 95 yards on 12 plays, culminating in Ger-Cari Caldwell's 9-yard touchdown reception from Justin Fomby to cut the deficit to 14-7.


However, Campbell responded immediately with Brown's second touchdown, effectively ending the Aggies' comeback hopes.


Despite the loss, NC A&T's defense played well in stretches, led by Henry Daniel's nine tackles, including two sacks. The Aggies actually held possession for nearly nine minutes longer than Campbell and ran 21 more offensive plays, but struggled to convert opportunities into points, missing two field goals in the second quarter.


Fomby completed 20 of 40 passes for 185 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions for NC A&T. Cameren Dalrymple led the Aggies' rushing attack with 75 yards on 16 carries.


Campbell's defense proved disruptive throughout the afternoon, with Jojo Pace and Jalen Brooks each recording nine tackles. The Fighting Camels' secondary broke up seven passes and intercepted two, with Da'Quan Johnson and Lakeem Rudolph each picking off passes in the fourth quarter to preserve the lead.


Up Next

Campbell travels to take on in-state CAA rival Elon next Saturday while NC A&T hosts a ranked William and Mary squad in Greensboro.

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Campbell Tops Delaware State in Offensive Slugfest

8:00 AM

BUIES CREEK – In a thrilling back-and-forth contest, Campbell edged out Delaware State 44-41 on Saturday at Barker-Lane Stadium, securing their first home victory of the season. The game was a showcase of offensive firepower, with both teams combining for a staggering 974 yards of total offense.


The star of the day was Campbell's wide receiver Sincere Brown, who put on a spectacular performance with 133 receiving yards and three touchdowns on just five catches. His final score, a two-yard reception from quarterback Chad Mascoe Jr. with only 42 seconds left on the clock, proved to be the game-winner. This clutch play capped off a rapid 79-yard drive that saw the Camels march down the field in just five plays, including crucial catches by VJ Wilkins and RJ Jackson.


Campbell WR Sincere Brown (Photo Credit: Bennett Scarborough)

Mascoe Jr. had an outstanding day under center, completing 18 of 26 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns. His connection with Brown and Wilkins, who added 115 yards on seven receptions, was pivotal in keeping the Camels' offense rolling throughout the game.


On the other side of the field, Delaware State's offense was equally impressive. Quarterback Marqui Adams threw for 252 yards and four touchdowns, completing 12 of 23 attempts. The Hornets' ground game was particularly potent, led by running back Jaden Sutton, who racked up an impressive 198 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.


The game was a seesaw battle from start to finish, featuring seven lead changes, with five occurring in the fourth quarter alone. Each time one team seemed to take control, the other would respond with a big play or crucial drive.


Campbell's defense, while giving up significant yardage, made key stops when it mattered most. Linebacker Jojo Pace led the unit with 10 tackles and a critical interception, while Jalen Brooks contributed eight tackles. Defensive lineman Elijah Hawk was a disruptive force, recording 1.5 tackles for loss, including one of Campbell's two sacks on the day.


The final moments of the game were filled with tension as Delaware State, trailing by three points, quickly drove to the Campbell 32-yard line with just seconds remaining. However, Michel Bergeron's 49-yard field goal attempt fell short, sealing the victory for the Camels.


This high-scoring affair showcased the offensive talents of both teams. Campbell's passing attack was particularly effective in the second half, accumulating 346 of their 457 total yards through the air. Delaware State, meanwhile, found success on the ground, rushing for 265 of their 517 total yards.


The game also marked a milestone for Campbell's receiving corps, as Brown and Wilkins became only the second pair of Camels to each surpass 100 receiving yards in a single game. The last time this feat was accomplished was in November 2022 against Bryant.


For Campbell, this victory improves their record to 2-3 and provides a much-needed boost of confidence as they look to build momentum for the remainder of the season. Delaware State, despite the loss, can take solace in their offensive output and the individual performances of players like Adams and Sutton.


Up Next

Campbell hosts in-state FCS rival NC Central while Delaware State hosts Saint Francis.




Saturday, October 21, 2023

Campbell Secures Homecoming Victory Over Maine, 34-28

9:00 PM

BUIES CREEK – Lamagea McDowell delivered a standout performance, rushing for a career-high 114 yards and two touchdowns, propelling Campbell to a thrilling 34-28 Homecoming victory over Maine at Barker-Lane Stadium.

The win pushed the Camels to a 4-3 season record and an impressive 3-2 in CAA play. It was a historic day for Campbell, as they secured their first home CAA victory. On the other side, Maine found themselves at 2-6 overall and 1-4 in conference games.

Campbell took control of the game early, building a commanding 28-7 halftime lead. McDowell played a pivotal role in this surge, finding the end zone twice during the first half. The Camels managed to score on four consecutive possessions after their opening drive had stalled.

Jalen Kelsey added to Campbell's lead with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Hajj-Malik Williams, extending the gap to three scores with 3:09 remaining in the third quarter.

However, Maine displayed resilience, mounting a comeback with touchdown receptions of 33 and 18 yards by Rohan Jones. These scores brought the Black Bears within striking distance, at 34-28, with just 6:12 left on the clock.

With Maine gaining momentum and Campbell's lead shrinking, the Camels needed a crucial play to secure the win. That play came in the form of an interception by Trevon Booker, who picked off Derek Robertson's second pass attempt with 2:51 left in the game. This key turnover allowed Campbell to hold on to their lead and emerge victorious.

The Camels' defense delivered a remarkable performance, limiting the Black Bears to -7 rushing yards, setting a school record for the fewest rushing yards allowed in a single game.

Campbell RB Lamagea McDowell
Photo Credit: Bennett Scarborough)

Lamagea McDowell had a standout day, rushing 26 times in his first career 100-yard rushing game, contributing 114 of the team's total 168 rushing yards. Hajj-Malik Williams orchestrated the passing game effectively, throwing for 242 yards and two touchdowns on 26-of-33 pass completions.

VJ Wilkins was a reliable target, making eight catches for 79 yards, while Chaney Fitzgerald added five receptions for 46 yards. Jalen Kelsey also contributed with two catches for 36 yards, including a touchdown.

The Campbell defense was led by CJ Tillman, who tallied 10 tackles and forced a fumble in the first half. Trevon Booker added five tackles to his name, along with the game-clinching interception.

Maine's Derek Robertson had an impressive passing day, throwing for 503 yards and four touchdowns. He completed 36-of-52 passes but also threw two interceptions. Joe Gillette was a standout receiver, recording six catches for 135 yards, while Rohan Jones and Jamie Lamson both hauled in two touchdown passes.

Kahzir Brown led Maine's defense with 10 tackles, including a sack, while Damon Matthews and Abdul Stewart added eight tackles each.

Campbell is set to embark on a challenging road trip for three of their final four regular-season games in 2023. They will travel to Richmond for the first time next week (October 28), followed by a visit to North Carolina on November 4 for their final nonconference matchup. The Camels will return home on November 11 for a showdown with top-10 ranked Delaware.

Saturday, September 23, 2023

Elon Holds Off Campbell Comeback And Goes to 2-0 in CAA Action With 28-24 Win

9:33 PM


BUIES CREEK – Elon and Campbell both came into Saturday evening’s game looking for momentum before tackling a tough stretch of schedule during the middle third of the football season. Although rain from Tropical Storm Ophelia kept some fans away, Barker-Lane Stadium was still rocking as these two new in-state rivals met for the first time as conference foes. By the time the clock read all zeroes, Elon was able to hold off a valiant comeback attempt by Campbell and defeat the Camels 28-24 to go to 2-0 in CAA play.

Both teams’ offenses came out with to good plays to get to midfield but had miscues that ended their opening drives. Campbell got a brief jolt of energy when VJ Wilkins’s great catch and run to get the Camels into Elon territory, but the drive fizzled out and the Camels were forced to settle for a 32-yard Caleb Dowden field goal to get on the scoreboard for the first time for the evening and the lone score of the first quarter. The bright spot was quickly overshadowed when Campbell linebacker Antoine Sampah was carted off the field with an apparent leg injury. The Camels' defense certainly missed his presence as the Phoenix were able to drive deep into Campbell territory and take the lead on a ten-yard rushing touchdown by Jalen Hampton.

Campbell had stopped Elon and was about to force a long FG try, but a personal foul penalty extended the drive and gave the Phoenix a fresh set of downs. Two plays later, Jalen Hampton dragged several Campbell defenders into the end zone for his second touchdown of the night. The next Elon drive was a repeat as another unnecessary roughness penalty gave Elon a first down in Campbell territory and Elon was able to score two plays after the penalty. Christian Da Silva took a ball around the left side of the line and was brought down at the one-yard-line and Jalen Hampton punched it in on the next play for his third score of the quarter.

Elon came out of the half determined to extend their lead and even gambled on a fourth down at the Campbell thirty-yard line to keep the momentum going, but a pass missed its mark and was picked off by Campbell’s Monchovia Gaffney. The Camels took over and went to work and a catch and run by Chaney Fitzgerald got the Camels into the red zone. After an intentional grounding call and sack pushed the Camels back, Hajj-Malik Williams looked to make up for his miscues on the previous two plays and scooted twenty-two yards for Campbell’s first touchdown of the evening. The celebration was short-lived, however, as the Camels found themselves in the same position as earlier drives with a personal foul penalty extending an Elon drive that was capped off with a Jalen Hampton rushing touchdown two plays later. Hampton’s fourth touchdown of the game gave the Phoenix a 28-10 lead heading into the final quarter.

The Camels refused to give up in the final quarter and CJ Tillman’s forced fumble was recovered by Cam Booker, giving the home team a sign of life. When Hajj-Malik Williams hit VJ Wilkins in the endzone, the Camels faithful erupted. The ensuing two-point conversion was good and the Camels, desperate for the comeback, found themselves down ten with eight minutes left. The Campbell defense stepped up on the next drive, forcing an Elon punt. The Camels offense was quick on the draw on the ensuing possession, moving eighty-seven yards in six plays. Brandon Fitez’s spectacular grab gave the ball to the Camels deep in Elon territory and a pass interference call in the end zone set the Camels up at the two-yard line with six-and-a-half minutes left in the game. NaQuari Rogers’s two-yard touchdown on the next play made it a one-score game, but a missed PAT attempt kept it a four-point affair. Although the Campbell defense was able to give the ball back to the offense for one last chance at victory, the clock was not on the Camels’ side as time ran out before the Camels could find the end zone one last time.

Standout Players

Jalen Hampton led all rushers with 169 yards while rushing for four touchdowns. Hajj-Malik Williams was 33 of 44 for 367 yards and a touchdown. VJ Wilkins led all receivers with ten receptions and 114 receiving yards. Defensively, Bo Sanders and Monchovia Gaffney each had an interception for their respective squads while leading their squads with ten tackles apiece.

What They Said

Elon Coach Tony Trisciani on how his team played offensively: “I was real happy with how came we out of the gate and played. We knew we had to assert ourselves upfront. We knew that that's where we needed to win, especially with weather like this, it would be important wanted to run the football.” On defense, “I thought we did a good job getting to the quarterback position to force him to make some decisions and the get ball the perimeter.”

Campbell Coach Mike Minter on his team’s penalties: “You basically have all your penalties are personal fouls. And all of their points come off of those penalties. And so that's the one thing that sticks out to me in that ball game, you know, third and long and we’ll get a personal foul, third and long, we get a personal foul, third down, we get a personal foul. That's just sickening when you look at it. So we gotta learn from that and understand you know who refereeing the game and understand what type of game is gonna be.” On his team’s finish to the game: “We look at, you know you got a chance for the five-minute drill and we had the five-minute drill going on again. They were able to convert a couple of first downs and kind of ran the clock down a little bit and we just didn't have enough time on the clock. But you just can't start the way we started. We spot them twenty-one points and it's 21-3 and then now you decide to play football, you can't do that.”

Up Next

Both teams face tough matchups next week with ranked teams as Elon (2-2, 2-0) hosts #5 William and Mary while Campbell (2-2, 1-1) heads to Durham to face 18th-ranked North Carolina Central for another in-state contest. 


Sunday, October 2, 2022

Campbell Takes Down Previously Unbeaten NCCU

10:26 AM

BUIES CREEK – Campbell rolled up a season-high 563 yards of total offense and defeated North Carolina Central 48-18 Saturday at Barker-Lane Stadium.

Campbell (2-2) scored on six of its seven first-half drives and hit season highs for points (48), total offense, first downs (33) and rushing yards (315) against a previously unbeaten Eagle team that entered the contest ranked eighth in the nation in scoring defense (13.5).

Bryant Barr ran for a career-high 135 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown for the Camels, who ran 83 plays to 64 for the visitors.  NaQuari Rogers added 78 rushing yards and one score, while Lamagea McDowell scored twice on the ground.

Campbell RB Bryant Barr races past the defense.
Photo Credit: Bennett Scarborough

Hajj-Malik Williams completed 22-of-33 passes for 248 yards and added 46 on the ground with one rushing TD.  Jalen Kelsey led CU with five receptions for 47 yards and recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown.

Davius Richard completed 21-of-35 passes with two interceptions and a pair of TDs for NC Central (4-1), which ranked fifth in the FCS in scoring offense (43.2) but was held to just three scores despite finishing with 390 total yards.  Richard led the Eagles with 37 rushing yards, while Devin Smith had five catches for 67 yards and two scores.

Aaron Maddox, CJ Tillman and Myles Rowser led Campbell with seven tackles each.  Isaiah Lawson had 12 tackles for the Eagles, while Jason Chambers added 11 and Khalil Baker 10.

Campbell compiled 397 yards of total offense before the break, including 205 on the ground.

The Camels took the opening kickoff and drove 84 yards on 14 plays, capped by McDowell’s four-yard rush.  After forcing a punt, Campbell again drove into the red zone to set up Caleb Dowden’s 30-yard field goal.

Myles Rowser intercepted a Richard pass and the Camels drove 60 yards in six plays.  McDowell finished the march with a 10-yard scoring run for a 17-0 lead with 11:44 left in the second quarter.

Williams pushed the margin to 24-0 on a 17-yard QB keeper with 7:25 to play in the half.

The Eagles got on the scoreboard when Richard connected with Smith on a 28-yard TD pass.  However, Campbell stopped NCCU on the two-point conversion attempt.

CU answered Central’s only first-half score with a 75-yard drive that Barr finished with a 24-yard rush.

Ed Dennis picked off Richard’s pass and returned it 26 yards to give the Camels a first down on the NCCU 34 with 55 seconds to play.  Dowden’s 21-yard field goal pushed the halftime lead to 34-6.

Barr ran for 113 yards on 16 carries in the first half alone.  Williams completed 13-of-18 passes for 192 yards before the break as the Camels converted 5-of-5 red zone opportunities.

NCCU scored on the first play of the fourth quarter on Smith’s 22-yard TD catch, but the Camels responded with a 9-play, 65-yard march that Rogers completed with a 35-yard run.

Alex Santiago blocked a Juan Velarde punt and Kelsey picked it up at the goal line to push the margin to 48-12 with 9:06 to play.  

Richard’s 1-yard QB keeper rounded out the scoring.


Notable North Carolinians

Bryant Barr (Eastern Guilford) – the graduate running back ran for a career-high 135 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown.

Lamagea McDowell (Charlotte Catholic, Hunter Huss) – the junior running back scored twice on the ground to give Campbell an early lead.

Devin Smith (Durham Riverside) – the sophomore receiver finished with five catches for 67 yards, including two touchdowns.

Isaiah Lawson (Butler) – the sophomore linebacker led the NCCU defense with 12 tackles, including a stop for a loss, with a pass break-up.


Up Next

Campbell (2-2) returns to action next Saturday with a 4:00 p.m. kickoff against Charleston Southern in its Big South Conference opener while NCCU has an open week before beginning MEAC play versus Morgan State on Thursday, October 13 on ESPNU.






Story courtesy of Campbell Athletics, NCCU Athletics

Sunday, September 30, 2018

Campbell Tops Future Big South Foe North Alabama, 30-7

9:43 PM
BUIES CREEK – Daniel Smith accounted for four touchdowns and Campbell defeated North Alabama 30-7 Saturday night in a matchup of future Big South Conference rivals.

In front of the eighth-largest crowd (6,352) in Barker-Lane Stadium history, Campbell led 23-0 after one quarter and improved to 4-1 for the first time in the program’s modern era (since 2008).

Smith ran for a first-quarter score and connected with three different receivers for scoring passes.  A sophomore from Leesburg, Va., Smith finished with 115 yards on the ground for his seventh career 100-yard rushing performance, while completing 16-of-24 passes (to seven different receivers) for 163 yards.
Campbell QB Daniel Smith (Photo Credit: Bennett Scarborough)
Campbell scored on three of its first four drives and to claim its early lead, and twice stopped the Lions on first-and-goal from the one-yard line.

The Camels (4-1) finished with just a 352-322 edge in total offense but recovered two Lion fumbles in the red zone to win their second-straight game.

Rocky Reid added 64 yards on 22 rushes for the Camels, while Antonio Whitehead had four receptions.

Senior linebacker Jack Ryan had 15 tackles, including eight solo, and in the process set a school career record with 276 stops.

North Alabama quarterback Christian Lopez completed 15-of-30 passes for 159 yards and Damon Cox added 95 yards on 12 carries.  Jakobi Byrd had eight catches for 73 yards.  Joshua Amanfo led UNA (3-2) with 10 tackles.

The Camels took the opening kickoff and drove 73 yards on seven plays, capped by Smith’s 24-yard scoring pass to Aaron Blockmon.

On UNA’s opening possession, quarterback Christian Lopez could not handle an errant shotgun snap and fell on the ball in the end zone for a safety.  It was the first safety for the Campbell defense since the 2013 season.

Smith’s 22-yard keeper ended a 9-play, 66-yard march and pushed the Camel lead to 16-0 with 3:16 left in the opening quarter.

Jaquan Brooks’ 19-yard punt return set up Campbell with a first down on the UNA 48 and four plays later, the Camels were back in the paint when Smith hooked up with Caleb Snead on a 22-yard scoring pass.

Midway through the second quarter, the Lions drove 68 yards to set up a first and goal on the Campbell one after Lopez found Jakobi Byrd on a 19-yard reception.  However, Jack Ryan tackled Lopez for a five-yard loss on a run-pass option, and on third and goal, another bad snap hit Lopez in the foot and Justice Galloway-Velazquez recovered to keep the Lions off the scoreboard.

Former Cape Fear Standout Justice Galloway-Velazquez (Photo Credit: Bennett Scarborough)
Campbell held a 253-135 advantage in total offense in the opening half and converted 4-of-7 first downs.  Smith accounted for 202 yards in the first half, 141 through the air while completing 12 of his first 17 passes.

The Lions got on the board with 5:33 left in the third quarter on Damon Cox’s 13-yard run that completed a 12-play, 82-yard drive and cut Campbell’s lead to 23-7.

Campbell answered with an 11-play, 60-yard march to stretch the lead to 30-7.  Smith ran 27 yards on a third-and-10 near midfield to give the Camels a first down on the Lions’ 21.  Five plays later, he found Zach Roderick on a 9-yard scoring pass in the left corner of the end zone.

In the fourth quarter, UNA’s Terence Humphrey was stopped just short of the goal line to give the Lions a first down.  On the ensuing play, Deontae Henderson knocked the ball out of Humphrey’s hands and Dorian Jones recovered.

The Camels host Wagner next Saturday (Oct. 6) in a 2:00 p.m. kickoff.

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Campbell’s Barker-Lane Stadium to Receive New Field Design

4:24 PM
Buies Creek – Campbell has announced a new field design for Barker-Lane Stadium, home of the Fighting Camels’ football and women’s lacrosse programs.

The new AstroTurf surface will feature orange end zones featuring white script reading “Campbell” and “Camels”. The field’s yard markers will also be accented in orange.

At midfield, a silhouette of North Carolina, spanning 20 yards, will contain the Campbell Athletics logo. The Big South Conference logo will also be displayed at each 25-yard line.

The playing field will be bordered in black turf, with orange markers for “Barker-Lane Stadium” and “Ed Gore Field” located beyond the sidelines.



The project is set to be completed before the Campbell football team opens its 2018 fall camp.

The new playing surface is the latest in a long line of improvements to the facility, which saw the installation of a state-of-the-art high-definition Daktronics video board just beyond the north end zone prior to the 2016 season. The screen boasts a 24'-7 " height and 42'-4" width.

In January 2015, the Burt Family Sports Performance Center opened. The nearly 6,000 square foot facility, located in the southeast corner of Barker-Lane Stadium, provides a second strength and conditioning home (the other located inside the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center) for several Camel programs.

Carlie C's IGA Hometown Proud Press Tower and west stands were completed in 2013, helping expand the stadium’s seating capacity to 5,500. Lights were added prior to the 2012 football season.

Ground-breaking ceremonies for the stadium were held March 27, 2007, with the W. Irvin Warren Athletic Center and east stands being completed in 2008.

Campbell hosted Birmingham-Southern on Aug. 30, 2008 in the inaugural football game at the facility, attended by a standing-room crowd of 5,845 fans. CU’s lacrosse program played its first game at Barker-Lane Stadium on February 23, 2013, defeating Kennesaw State 21-4.


The Camels open the 2018 football season at Barker-Lane Stadium on August 30, hosting Chowan.

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Campbell Defeats Valparaiso for Third Straight Win

4:05 PM
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Daniel Smith threw for four touchdowns and ran for another and Campbell defeated Valparaiso 49-10 Saturday at Barker-Lane Stadium.

Smith set a school Division I era (since 2008) record for touchdowns accounted for in a game and the Camels started 3-0 in the Pioneer Football League for the second time since 2014.

The Camels (4-2, 3-0) remained on top of the PFL standings after winning their third-consecutive outing.  After scoring on its first possession of the game, Valpo (2-4, 1-2) surrendered 49-straight points.

Campbell forced four turnovers, including three interceptions, to run its FCS-leading totals to 20 takeaways and 14 picks.

Campbell QB Daniel Smith (Photo by Bennett Scarborough)
A red-shirt freshman from Leesburg, Va., Smith completed 18-of-27 passes for 257 yards, while rushing for 40 yards on five carries. Montel Goods led the Camels with 88 yards on the ground. Jaquan Brooks (South Point) had five catches and Zach Roderick four, including two TD receptions for Campbell, which finished with a 484-274 edge in total offense.

The Camels held a 227-97 advantage on the ground and averaged 5.3 yards per carry.

After entering the game ranked eighth in the country in scoring defense (13.0 points per game), the Camels held Valpo to just 10 points and only 4-of-19 third-down conversions.

Carlos Merritt had 10 tackles, plus his PFL-leading fifth interception, while Ray Miller made nine stops for CU.  Nick Turner led Valparaiso with 10 tackles.

Valpo’s Chris Duncan completed 10-of-21 passes for 119 yards and was intercepted twice. Cody Boxrucker led the Crusaders with 53 yards on 13 carries. Jean Rene had six catches for 57 yards.

Campbell out-gained Valpo 378-125 in the opening half and scored on six-straight offensive drives.  Smith threw for four first-half scores and ran for another as the Camels led 49-7 at the break.  The Camels also had three first-half takeaways that resulted in 21 points.

Valpo had to drive only 27 yards to take an early 7-0 lead after Goods fumbled on Campbell’s first play from scrimmage.  Starting quarterback Jimmy Seewald ran three yards on a fourth down and two at the CU five; then Boxrucker put the Crusaders in front with a two-yard TD run.

Campbell answered, driving 75 yards on 10 plays. Smith completed all five of his passes and Goods scored from one yard out on fourth-and-goal. Mitchell Brown’s PAT tied the score at seven with 8:15 left in the first period.

After a three-and-out, the Camels marched 61 yards on 10 plays to take a 14-7 lead.  Smith hit Trey Sanders for an 11-yard gain on fourth-and-five at the Valpo 25. One play later Smith connected with Roderick for a 15-yard scoring catch with 4:32 left in the quarter.

Following a second-straight three-and-out, Valparaiso punter Alex Ng fumbled the snap and Campbell’s Wale Ashaye picked up the ball at the 15 and ran in for CU’s third special teams touchdown of the year. Brown’s PAT increased the margin to 21-7 with 3:06 left in the opening period.

After a third-straight Valpo three-and-out, the Camels marched 63 yards to take a 28-7 lead. Smith hit Trey Sanders on a 46-yard scoring pass down the left sideline with 1:23 to play in the first quarter.

Smith found tight end Michael Wooten down the right seam for a 69-yard scoring pass with 11:44 to play in the second period.

Smith’s 13-yard run capped a seven-play, 50-yard drive and gave the Camels a 42-7 lead with 3:01 left in the opening half.

Levi Wiggins intercepted a Duncan pass – Campbell’s third takeaway of the opening half – and gave the Camels a first down at the Valpo 29 with 1:45 to play.  Smith hit Roderick on an 8-yard scoring pass for a 49-7 lead with 0:23 to play in the second quarter.

Valparaiso drove 60 yards with the opening kick of the second half and cut the gap to 49-10 on Dimitrios Latsonas’ 32-yard field with 10:57 to play in the third quarter.


Campbell returns to action next Saturday (Oct. 14) at Dayton in a 1:00 p.m. kick-off.  Valparaiso hosts Marist Saturday at 2:00.

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Campbell Defeats Butler 33-27 in Overtime

9:08 AM
Campbell Defeats Butler 33-27 in Overtime
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – De’Shawn Jones scored on a 25-yard run on Campbell’s first play in overtime to lift the Camels to a 33-27 win over Butler Saturday night at Barker-Lane Stadium.

In front of the largest crowd (6,610) in Barker-Lane Stadium history, Jones burst off tackle then broke free down the left sideline for the winning points in the first home overtime contest in Fighting Camel history.

In the Pioneer Football League opener for both schools, Campbell (3-1, 1-0) held the Bulldogs on the first possession of overtime to set up the winning play.  A holding penalty pushed Butler back to the 32-yard line; then Syd Holt’s QB hurry left the Bulldogs with 4th-down and 17 yards.  Instead of attempting a 50-yard field goal, Butler went for it on fourth down and Dante Simmons’ broke up Malcolm Weaver’s pass attempt.

Jones finished with 174 rushing yards on 23 carries, an average of 7.6 yards per attempt.  The senior running back owns the top three rushing games in Campbell’s Division I era (since 2008), including a 201-yard performance last year at Davidson and a 189-performance at home vs. Pikeville.

On Saturday, Jones had four runs of 22 or more yards and scored two times.  Jared Joyner added 41 yards on the ground and two scores.  Elijah Burress completed 16-of-28 passes for 146 yards.  Aaron Blockmon led the Camels with five receptions.

Weaver completed 14-of-37 passes for 194 yards and caught a nine-yard scoring pass to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, while Duvante Lane ran for 75 yards on 17 carries for Butler (2-2, 0-1). Pace Temple finished with six catches for 128 yards.

Daniel Bostick led Campbell with eight tackles, while Ethan Brunhofer made 10 stops for Butler.

Campbell jumped to a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter.  Greg Cunningham’s interception gave the Camels a first down at the Butler 47.  De’Shawn Jones’ 8-yard run capped a 6-play drive over 2:21 to put the Camels on the board.  Jones’ 25-yard gain on 3rd and 10 gave the Camels a first down on the Bulldog 22.  Jones’ TD on the opening play of the second quarter was his sixth of the year.

Mitchell Brown extended the lead to 10-0 on a 30-yard field goal with 10:50 left in the second.

The Bulldogs drove 70 yards on five plays – 29 yards coming on a Malcolm Weaver to Pace Temple completion – and cut the gap to 10-7 on Duvante Lane’s four-yard run with 8:05 left in the half.

Butler attempted an onside kick on the ensuing kick-off, but Bryan Bailey recovered at midfield for the Camels.  Eight plays later, Joyner’s 1-yard run and Brown’s PAT pushed the margin back to 10.  Jones’ 22-yard burst keyed the drive and set up the Camels with first and goal on the Butler 8.

The Bulldogs drove to the Campbell 19, before Drew Bevelhimer’s 36-yard field goal trimmed the gap to 17-10 with 1:16 left in the second quarter.

CU took over and drove into Butler territory to set up a field goal attempt on the final play of the half.  Brown’s 49-yarder – the longest in Campbell’s Division I era – gave the Camels a 20-10 lead at the break.

Helped along by a personal foul penalty that negated a third down stop at midfield, Butler marched 80 yards in nine plays and pulled within 20-17 on Weaver’s 11-yard QB keeper with 50 seconds to play in the third quarter.

Burress fumbled on the first play of the next possession and Sean Horan recovered to give the Bulldogs a 1st down at the Campbell 29.  Butler drove to the Camel five yard line before CU held and Bevelhimer’s 22-yard field goal tied the game at 20 with 13:39 to play.

The Camels drove 65 yards on seven plays to take a 27-20 lead on Joyner’s 3-yard run with 11:12 left in the game.  Jones reeled off a 30-yard burst down the left side and Joyner had a 17-yard run up the middle to set up the scoring run.

Set up by a short punt, Butler drove 44 yards to tie the game at 27-all with 4:10 to go.  On fourth-and-goal from the three yard line, Lane found Weaver in the right side of the end zone on a halfback-to-quarterback pass.  Bevelhimer’s PAT tied the game at 27-27.

Bevelheimer slipped on a 50-yard field goal attempt on the game’s last play and the kick fell well short of the end zone.

Campbell plays next Saturday at Marist (1:00 p.m.), while Butler hosts San Diego (1:00).