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.

WINGATE- Wingate's defense left little room for Tusculum to operate Saturday afternoon, holding the Pioneers to just five first downs and 122 yards of total offense as the Bulldogs claimed a 31-14 South Atlantic Conference victory at Irwin Belk Stadium.

The Bulldogs (3-4, 3-2 SAC) controlled the game statistically, outgaining Tusculum 384-122 while holding possession for more than 37 minutes. Wingate allowed just 50 rushing yards on 34 attempts and limited the Pioneers to three completions in nine passing attempts.

Tusculum (3-4, 2-3 SAC) managed only 2.8 yards per offensive play and failed to score an offensive touchdown in the second half.

The defensive performance helped Wingate overcome three turnovers, including a third-quarter fumble returned for a touchdown that briefly reduced the Bulldogs' lead to three points.

Wingate's offense was led by Jayshawn Appling, who rushed for 109 yards on 16 carries. Quarterback Brooks Brien completed 15 of 25 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Aaron Griffin and Xavier Jackson for scores.

The Bulldogs established an early advantage after Geviaunta Walker forced and recovered a fumble on Tusculum's opening possession, giving Wingate the ball at the Pioneers' 42-yard line.

Photo Credit: Wingate Athletics

Five plays later, Brien connected with Griffin for a 28-yard touchdown, putting Wingate ahead 7-0 with 9:25 remaining in the first quarter.

The Bulldogs extended their lead early in the second quarter when Brien found Jackson for a 21-yard touchdown, completing a 12-play, 85-yard drive that consumed more than seven minutes.

Tusculum answered with its most productive offensive possession of the afternoon. Quarterback Tedros Gleaton connected with Ashton Hagans for a 54-yard touchdown with 1:49 remaining before halftime, cutting the deficit to 14-7.

Wingate responded with a 10-play, 53-yard drive, including a 21-yard fourth-down completion from Brien to Tanner Mays. Gunnar Hilsinger converted a 33-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Bulldogs into halftime ahead 17-7.

The Pioneers threatened to reverse the game's momentum early in the third quarter.

After intercepting Brien on Wingate's opening second-half possession, Tusculum recovered a Bulldogs fumble on the next drive. Judah Knight returned the loose ball 20 yards for a touchdown, narrowing the margin to 17-14 with 11:49 remaining in the period.

Despite the sudden shift, Wingate's defense prevented Tusculum from capitalizing further.

The Bulldogs eventually answered with a nine-play, 85-yard touchdown drive late in the third quarter. Brien connected with Griffin for 38 yards and Kelson Tate for 16 yards before Ethan Wallace scored on a two-yard run with 20 seconds remaining, extending the lead to 24-14.

Wingate's defense continued to dominate in the fourth quarter. Chris Harris recorded a third-down sack that forced another Tusculum punt, and the Bulldogs added their final touchdown with 2:55 remaining.

Appling broke loose for a 49-yard run but fumbled near the goal line. Teammate Zymill Patterson recovered the ball in the end zone, pushing Wingate's advantage to 31-14.

Griffin finished with five receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown, while Jackson added four catches for 71 yards and a score. Wallace contributed 49 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Harris and Elijah Manning led Wingate with eight tackles apiece. Harris added two tackles for loss and a sack, while Tyson Brown and GW Clemmer recorded seven tackles each.

Tusculum's offense finished with only five first downs, compared with 20 for Wingate, and converted just four of 14 third-down opportunities.

The Bulldogs' ability to control possession and limit Tusculum's offensive production proved decisive, allowing Wingate to withstand its turnover problems and secure its third conference victory.

CHARLOTTE – Charlotte kept finding answers Saturday night. The problem was The Citadel always seemed to have one more.

The Bulldogs outlasted the 49ers 43-41 in triple overtime at Jerry Richardson Stadium, handing Charlotte a season opening loss despite 538 yards of offense and a resilient performance from quarterback Cole Gonzales.

Charlotte twice answered The Citadel touchdowns in overtime before the Bulldogs ultimately prevailed on a two-point conversion.

“They out-executed us,” Charlotte coach Tim Albin said. “I mean, that’s what happened.”

The Citadel improved to 1-1 while Charlotte fell to 0-1. The Bulldogs were outgained 538-400 but rushed for 268 yards and six touchdowns on 50 attempts. Charlotte finished with 322 passing yards and 216 on the ground. 

The 49ers hurt themselves early.

Gonzales threw two first-quarter interceptions, the first helping set up a short field for The Citadel. Gaven Garcia finished the ensuing possession with a 2-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead.

Charlotte responded immediately. Khamani Alexander broke loose for a 66-yard touchdown, part of a career night in which he rushed for 138 yards on just 14 carries. 

Gonzales settled down after the early turnovers. His 43-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Eley put Charlotte ahead 14-7 in the second quarter, and the 49ers carried that advantage into halftime.

“He’s a playmaker. He’s tough,” Albin said of Gonzales. “He had two picks in the first quarter and I liked his body language. He’s a leader. He’s under the fire, and he didn’t get rattled.”

The Citadel turned to Nick Billoups at quarterback in the second half, and the Bulldogs found their rhythm.

Sebastien Boyle tied the game with a 56-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. Gonzales responded with an 11-yard touchdown run before Garcia scored from a yard out, leaving the teams tied 21-21 entering the fourth. 

Billoups gave The Citadel a 28-21 advantage on a 2-yard touchdown run with 12:11 remaining.

Charlotte refused to go away.

The 49ers put together a 14-play, 72-yard drive late in the fourth quarter, capped by Gonzales' 6-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Hampton with 24 seconds remaining to force overtime.

That resilience stood out to Charlotte defensive back Kadin Schmitz.

“I think we didn’t have any quit,” Schmitz said. “We continued to fight.”

Garcia scored from 25 yards out on The Citadel’s first offensive snap of overtime. Gonzales answered with an 8-yard touchdown run, sending the game to a second overtime tied at 35.

Charlotte then grabbed the advantage when Gonzales connected with Hampton for an 18-yard touchdown. But the 49ers failed on the required two-point conversion, leaving the score 41-35.

Billoups answered with another 2-yard touchdown run for The Citadel. A diving tackle by Dy’Lon Womack forced the game into triple overtime, beginning a series of two-point conversion plays. The Bulldogs were successful on their attempt and a Charlotte pass went wide, giving the visitors a 43-41 victory.

The loss overshadowed one of Charlotte’s most productive offensive performances in recent memory.

Gonzales completed 28 of 41 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for two more scores. Hampton caught eight passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns, and Jaden Barnes added seven receptions for 93 yards. Alexander averaged 9.9 yards per carry. 

The Citadel countered with Garcia’s 137 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. Boyle added 70 rushing yards, while Billoups rushed for two scores and completed 7 of 10 passes for 91 yards. 

Charlotte converted 11 of 17 third downs and produced 21 first downs, but its two interceptions and failed fourth-down attempt helped swing the game. The 49ers’ defense did not force a turnover. 

“We had chances to win the game,” Albin said. “Didn’t get it done.”

For Schmitz, the question now is what Charlotte does with it.

“It’s not at all how we wanted things to go,” he said. “But just to see the continued fight, to see the more positivity on the sideline – I like to see that a lot.”

The road only gets harder for the 49ers, who travel to Oxford Mississippi next week to take on an Ole Miss team fresh off a berth in the College Football Playoff.

UNC Pembroke football rallies from 13-point halftime deficit to upset No. 19 Wingate, 21-13

PEMBROKE – UNC Pembroke delivered a season-opening statement Thursday night, rallying from a 13-point halftime deficit to knock off No. 19 Wingate 21-13 at Grace P. Johnson Stadium. After a slow start and a weather-delayed opening half, the Braves controlled the final two quarters, leaned on long possessions, and finished the comeback with a defensive touchdown in the closing minutes.

Wingate took command before halftime behind a second-quarter surge. The Bulldogs broke through with 6:32 left in the period, putting together a 10-play, 83-yard drive that ended when Brooks Brien found Aaron Griffin for a 15-yard touchdown. Although the extra point was missed, Wingate had the first momentum swing of the night. The Bulldogs added to it after a short field, moving 36 yards in six plays before Ethan Wallace scored from a yard out with 1:12 remaining. Mason Suber’s kick pushed the lead to 13-0, and Pembroke’s final chance before the break ended with a missed 49-yard field goal as time expired.

The game turned after halftime. Wingate opened the third quarter with a promising march to the Pembroke 12, but Suber missed a 29-yard field goal, leaving the Bulldogs empty on a chance to make it a three-score game. UNC Pembroke answered with the kind of drive that changed the tone of the night: 15 plays, 80 yards and more than nine minutes off the clock. Quarterback Josh Ehrlich carried the series both through the air and on the ground, eventually forcing his way into the end zone from one yard out on fourth down. Jared Navidad’s extra point trimmed the deficit to 13-7 and gave the Braves life heading into the final stretch.

Pembroke’s defense then tightened the game completely. Wingate managed just 63 yards on 23 second-half offensive plays, and the Braves repeatedly forced the Bulldogs into uncomfortable passing situations. Meanwhile, the Pembroke offense stayed patient. A drive that began late in the third quarter continued deep into the fourth, eventually covering 71 yards in 16 plays and consuming 8:50. Ehrlich kept the chains moving, including a key fourth-down sequence aided by a Wingate roughing-the-passer penalty, before finding Jake Davids for a six-yard touchdown. Navidad’s kick gave UNC Pembroke its first lead, 14-13, with 7:31 to play.

From there, the Braves protected the margin with defense and field position. Wingate reached midfield on its next possession but turned the ball over on downs at the Pembroke 48. The Braves were forced to punt, giving the Bulldogs one more opportunity with 1:50 left at their own 20. Ten seconds later, Myles Hudson delivered the decisive play, intercepting Brien and returning it 22 yards for a touchdown. The pick-six stretched the lead to 21-13 and capped Pembroke’s 21 unanswered points.

Wingate still had one final possession and moved to its own 43 after a pass interference penalty, but Pembroke’s secondary finished the job. Four straight incompletions, including a fourth-down breakup, sealed the win and ended the Bulldogs’ comeback bid.

Statistically, the game was tight, but Pembroke controlled the details that mattered most. The Braves outgained Wingate 216-204, held a 16-14 edge in first downs and dominated time of possession, 37:59 to 22:01. Ehrlich completed 20 of 31 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown while adding 69 net rushing yards and another score. Avery Curtis was his most frequent target, catching 11 passes for 49 yards, while Davids supplied the go-ahead touchdown reception.

For Wingate, Wallace led the offense with 86 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, while Brien threw for 68 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Bulldogs’ defense had strong individual efforts, including nine tackles from Tyson Brown and 3.5 tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks from David Squires, but three turnovers and a scoreless second half proved costly. UNC Pembroke, meanwhile, opened the season 1-0 by ending a six-game skid against Wingate and earning a ranked win built on resilience, ball control and a closing defensive flourish.

CHARLOTTE – The scoreboard flashed three points for Mississippi State, and Koredell Bartley erased them in a hundred-yard flash less than twenty seconds later.

That opening sequence set the pattern for a Friday night at Bank of America Stadium where Wake Forest found answers for everything Mississippi State attempted, pulling away for a 43-29 victory in the Duke's Mayo Bowl that secured nine wins in Jake Dickert's debut season as head coach.

Robby Ashford accounted for five touchdowns, including three through the air and two on the ground, completing 20 of 33 passes for 303 yards while rushing 14 times for 50 yards. The redshirt senior quarterback from Hoover, Alabama earned MVP honors for a performance that answered every Mississippi State scoring threat with an offensive counter.

"I just think back to a year ago today when we actually had our first portal visits," Dickert said. "We brought in over 40 new players. The guys that were here accepted everything that we wanted to do. I think we laid a tremendous foundation. Nine wins is really special and I'm proud of these guys."

The Bulldogs opened the game with purpose, as Kamario Taylor connected with Brenen Thompson for 51 yards on the first play from scrimmage. But the Wake Forest defense tightened inside the red zone, forcing Kyle Ferrie to attempt a 33-yard field goal that gave Mississippi State an early 3-0 advantage.

Bartley, a freshman from Dudley High School in Greensboro, fielded the ensuing kickoff at his own goal line and found a seam up the right side. The return covered all hundred yards and gave Wake Forest the lead 22 seconds after losing it. Sawyer Racanelli threw a two-point conversion pass to Eni Falayi, putting the Demon Deacons ahead 8-3 just over two minutes into the contest.

Mississippi State responded with Ferrie's second field goal, a 50-yarder that cut the deficit to 8-6. Wake Forest needed its offense to establish rhythm after the special teams spark, and Ashford delivered on a nine-play, 75-yard drive that consumed 3:23. He found Kamrean Johnson in the corner of the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown with 3:49 remaining in the first quarter. Connor Calvert's extra point extended the lead to 15-6.

The Demon Deacons held Mississippi State on downs at the Wake Forest 10-yard line early in the second quarter. Frank Cusano and Nuer Gatkuoth combined to stop Fluff Bothwell for a two-yard loss on fourth-and-one, ending a nine-play drive that had covered 53 yards from the Bulldogs' 37.

Ferrie added his third field goal from 23 yards following a 10-play, 56-yard possession that consumed 5:11. Nick Andersen recorded a sack on the drive, helping force the field goal attempt that made it 15-9 with 6:15 left in the half.

Wake Forest opened the second half with three plays that covered 75 yards in 54 seconds. Ashford dropped back on third-and-10 and launched a pass down the middle that Jack Foley caught at the Mississippi State 19 and carried into the end zone. The 64-yard touchdown marked Foley's first career reception. Ashford kept the ball on the two-point conversion, extending the advantage to 23-9.

Dallas Afalava sacked Taylor on Mississippi State's next possession, contributing to a drive that ended with Ferrie's fourth field goal of the game from 36 yards. The Bulldogs trailed 23-12 with 9:24 remaining in the third quarter.

Wake Forest responded with its most methodical drive of the night, marching 75 yards over 11 plays and 5:05. Ty Clark gained 12 yards on a rush to the Mississippi State 49, and Ashford converted a third-and-one with a 10-yard rush to the 24. After a pass interference penalty moved the ball to the two-yard line, Ashford powered into the end zone. Calvert's extra point made it 30-12 with 4:19 left in the third.

Mississippi State needed just 4:19 to answer, driving 65 yards in eight plays. Luke Kromenhoek connected with Anthony Evans III for 39 yards to the four-yard line, and Taylor scored from one yard out on the final play of the third quarter. Taylor then threw a two-point conversion pass to Seydou Traore, cutting Wake Forest's lead to 30-20.

The Bulldogs forced a Wake Forest punt and needed just 1:09 to cover 84 yards in four plays. Taylor found Sanfrisco Magee for 42 yards and a touchdown, with Ferrie's extra point pulling Mississippi State within 30-27 with 10:17 remaining.

Wake Forest absorbed the punch and drove 63 yards in 10 plays, taking 6:03 off the clock. Ashford completed passes to Clark for nine yards and to Racanelli for 25 yards, reaching the one-yard line. He scored on a quarterback sneak with 4:07 left in regulation.

Nevaeh Sanders blocked Calvert's extra point attempt, and Kelley Jones fielded the ball at the 14-yard line, racing 86 yards for a defensive two-point conversion that pulled Mississippi State within 36-29.

The Demon Deacons needed one first down to seal the victory but instead delivered a knockout. On third-and-seven from the Wake Forest 38, Ashford flipped a pass to Clark in the flat. The sophomore from Tampa found space along the left sideline and covered 62 yards for the touchdown with 2:15 remaining. Calvert's extra point restored the 14-point margin at 43-29.

Mississippi State attempted one final drive but turned the ball over on downs at its own 32 with 1:02 left. Wake Forest took two kneel-downs to end the contest.

Clark finished with 91 rushing yards on 17 carries and added three receptions for 73 yards, including the game-sealing touchdown reception. Carlos Hernandez caught six passes for 73 yards, and Sterling Berkhalter had five receptions for 34 yards.

For Mississippi State, Taylor completed 13 of 22 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown but was sacked three times. Kromenhoek completed three of five passes for 53 yards but was sacked twice. Taylor rushed 18 times for 63 yards and a touchdown. Thompson caught four passes for 106 yards, and Evans hauled in four receptions for 80 yards.

Andersen led Wake Forest with 12 tackles, including six solo stops and a sack. The Demon Deacons recorded five sacks and nine tackles for loss as a team. Jalen Smith led Mississippi State with 12 tackles.

Wake Forest's nine victories equal the program's fourth-highest win total in 118 years of football, joining the 2021 (11-3), 2006 (11-3) and 2007 (9-4) teams. The Demon Deacons have won three consecutive bowl games, matching program streaks from 1992-2002 and 2016-18.

Dickert's nine wins represent the most by a first-year head coach in Wake Forest history, surpassing the seven victories Bill Dooley recorded in 1987. The Demon Deacons improved to 5-1 against SEC opponents in the College Football Playoff era.

Bartley's kickoff return marked Wake Forest's second such touchdown this season, the first time the program has recorded two in the same year since 1952. The return tied the longest play in program history, matching Demond Claiborne's kickoff return at Miami in 2024 and Alphonso Smith's 100-yard interception return against Maryland in 2007.