Showing posts with label Camels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Camels. Show all posts

Saturday, October 24, 2026

No. 13 Campbell Beats Maine 35-6 as Sixkiller Sets Passing Record

6:58 PM
No. 13 Campbell Beats Maine 35-6 as Sixkiller Sets Passing Record

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


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


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


The final margin, however, took time to develop.


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


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


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


Campbell finally created some separation late in the half.


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


The third quarter proved decisive.


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


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


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


Any remaining uncertainty disappeared early in the fourth quarter.


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


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

Campbell WR Jyron Waiters (Photo Credit: Campbell Athletics)

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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

Saturday, October 17, 2026

No. 16 Campbell Edges Towson 24-20, Improves to 6-1

9:47 PM
No. 16 Campbell Edges Towson 24-20, Improves to 6-1
BUIES CREEK – Campbell needed every bit of its fourth-quarter defense Saturday afternoon to avoid a Homecoming upset, holding off winless Towson 24-20 at Barker-Lane Stadium to match the best start in program history.

The 16th-ranked Fighting Camels (6-1, 3-0 CAA) stopped Towson on its final four possessions, including a turnover on downs with 1:25 remaining, to secure their sixth victory of the season. The win matched Campbell's single-season record and equaled the program's 6-1 start in 2019.

De'Von Thomas rushed for two touchdowns, while quarterback Kamden Sixkiller threw for 224 yards and a score as Campbell remained unbeaten against FCS opponents this season.

Despite entering the game without a victory, Towson (0-8, 0-4) controlled significant stretches of the contest, outgaining Campbell 442-337 and holding a 13-10 halftime advantage.

The Tigers appeared capable of pulling off the upset until Campbell's defense took control in the final quarter.

Photo Credit: Campbell Athletics

Trailing 24-20, Towson marched 67 yards to the Campbell 8-yard line before Zaydaan Faridi's 26-yard field-goal attempt struck the right upright with 14:50 remaining. The missed opportunity proved costly as the Tigers managed just 46 yards on their final three possessions.


Towson's last chance began at the Campbell 45 with 3:02 remaining, but the Camels forced a turnover on downs at their own 29-yard line to preserve the victory.


The decisive stretch followed a third quarter featuring three lead changes and Campbell's most important defensive play of the afternoon.


Safety Kaleb Simpkins intercepted Towson quarterback Jacob Davis on the first play from scrimmage after halftime, giving the Camels possession at the Tigers' 42-yard line.


Sixkiller capitalized three plays later, connecting with Jyron Waiters on a 22-yard touchdown pass to put Campbell ahead 17-13.


Towson responded with an 11-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Davis' 1-yard touchdown run, to regain the lead at 20-17 with 8:34 remaining in the third quarter.


Campbell answered immediately, covering 71 yards in eight plays before Thomas scored from a yard out to put the Camels ahead for good with 4:54 left in the period.


It was Thomas' second touchdown of the afternoon and his third consecutive game with multiple rushing scores. He finished with 28 yards on seven carries.


The teams had traded scores during a competitive first half. Campbell opened with a 21-yard field goal from Alex Crabb before Towson took a 7-3 lead on Xavier Pugh's 1-yard touchdown run.


Thomas answered with a 13-yard scoring run late in the first quarter, but Davis found CJ Schaeffer for a 2-yard touchdown pass with 1:41 remaining before halftime to give the Tigers a 13-10 advantage.


Towson accumulated 282 first-half yards, including 120 rushing, before Campbell's defense limited the Tigers to 160 yards after intermission.


O'Marion Lewis led the Camels with a season-high 13 tackles and a pass breakup, while Simpkins added 10 tackles and his crucial interception. Jordan Jones contributed seven stops.


Sixkiller completed 20 of 30 passes for 224 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Chinua Ezeigbo led Campbell's receivers with five catches for 68 yards, while Waiters added three receptions for 43 yards.


Davis paced Towson with 257 passing yards and 40 rushing yards, accounting for two touchdowns. Pugh rushed for 75 yards and a score, while Cleveland Charlton caught six passes for 88 yards.


Campbell's victory was its sixth against FCS competition this season, establishing a new program record. The Camels previously reached six overall wins in 2011, 2017, 2018 and 2019.


Now 3-0 in conference play, Campbell will look to continue its historic start when it travels to Maine on October 24 before visiting UAlbany the following week.


Saturday, October 3, 2026

Campbell Answers NC Central Rally, Escapes Durham with 38-31 win

10:59 PM
Campbell Answers NC Central Rally, Escapes Durham with 38-31 win


DURHAM – Campbell spent much of Saturday night building a lead at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. North Carolina Central spent the third quarter erasing it.


Then, with the game tied and the rain continuing to fall, the Fighting Camels found one final answer.


Kamden Sixkiller connected with Jyron Waiters for a nine-yard touchdown with 7:28 remaining, breaking a 31-31 tie and lifting No. 18/24 Campbell to a 38-31 victory over NC Central.


The win improved Campbell to 5-1, while Central fell to 2-4.


The night began about as well as the Eagles could have hoped.


On Campbell's opening possession, Sixkiller was intercepted by Cameron Williams, who returned the ball 19 yards. One play later, Nelson Layne raced 16 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 Central lead.


Campbell answered with Sixkiller's one-yard touchdown run, but Layne struck again, scoring from three yards out to put NCCU back ahead 14-7.


From there, the first quarter belonged to Campbell.


DeJuan Thomas broke loose for a 32-yard touchdown to tie the game, Alex Crabb connected on a 41-yard field goal and JJ Cowan scored from three yards out with 38 seconds remaining. The Camels emerged from a frantic opening quarter with a 24-14 advantage.


Thomas added his second touchdown, a four-yard run, early in the second quarter to stretch Campbell's run to 24 unanswered points and the lead to 31-14.


Central found a spark before halftime after turning to Cobey Thompkins at quarterback. Thompkins completed all four of his passes for 70 yards on the drive, including a 23-yard touchdown to Tristan Stitt with 2:28 remaining, sending the Eagles to the locker room trailing 31-21.


Then the game changed again.


Central controlled the third quarter while Campbell's offense went scoreless. Riley Daniels' 47-yard field goal cut the deficit to seven before Zion Dobson ripped off a 62-yard touchdown run with 6:31 remaining in the quarter.


In less than nine minutes, the Eagles had erased Campbell's 10-point halftime advantage and tied the game at 31.


Campbell finally regained control in the fourth.


Sixkiller directed an 11-play, 56-yard drive before finding Waiters for the nine-yard go-ahead touchdown with 7:28 remaining. The Camels' defense made the lead stand, including a fourth-down stop of Layne on a quarterback keeper during Central's fourth-quarter attempt to regain the advantage.


For a Campbell offense that entered the game with Sixkiller among the nation's most productive passers, it was the ground game that did much of the damage.


The Camels rushed for 262 yards and four touchdowns. Cowan carried 14 times for 139 yards, including a 66-yard run, while Thomas added 89 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Sixkiller finished 18-of-35 for 226 yards, a touchdown and an interception.


Central countered with 160 rushing yards, led by Dobson's 80 yards on 13 carries and Layne's 59 yards and two touchdowns. Chance Peterson caught 10 passes for 84 yards, while Stitt finished with three receptions for 58 yards and a score.


Campbell finished with 488 yards of offense to Central's 359 and held a 262-160 advantage on the ground. The Camels also possessed the ball for 32:02. Both teams converted 7-of-14 third downs.


The Eagles had done the difficult part, wiping away a 17-point deficit and turning what had threatened to become a Campbell runaway into a fourth-quarter tie.


But after Central scored 17 unanswered points, Campbell produced the game's final answer.


Sixkiller found Waiters, the defense held, and the nationally ranked Camels left Durham with their fifth victory of the season.

Campbell Answers NC Central Rally, Escapes Durham with 38-31 win - Carolina Gridiron

Sunday, September 27, 2026

No. 22 Campbell Explodes After Halftime, Rolls Past Hampton 44-20 in First Game as Ranked Program

10:59 AM
No. 22 Campbell Explodes After Halftime, Rolls Past Hampton 44-20 in First Game as Ranked Program

HAMPTON, VA – For one half, Campbell's first game as a nationally ranked football program wasn't going according to plan.


Then came the third quarter.


No. 22 Campbell turned a 13-13 halftime tie into a 44-13 runaway with a stunning 31-point third quarter Saturday night, overwhelming Hampton 44-20 at Darling Stadium and making the Camels' first game with a number beside their name a memorable one.


Campbell improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in CAA play in the 200th game in program history.


But before the celebration came a first half filled with opportunities for Hampton.


Campbell fumbled away the opening kickoff, giving the Pirates possession at the Camels' 35. Hampton converted the mistake into a 37-yard Brett Starling field goal and an early 3-0 lead.


The Camels answered quickly. Kamden Sixkiller found Connor Adair for a 28-yard touchdown to put Campbell ahead 6-3, but another Campbell fumble late in the opening quarter set Hampton up at the CU 20. Gracen Goldsmith scored four plays later to put the Pirates back in front.


Campbell responded again when Sixkiller connected with Chinua Ezeigbo for a 34-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter.


Hampton then threatened to take control just before halftime, driving 78 yards to the Campbell 1. But the Camels' defense kept the Pirates out of the end zone, forcing them to settle for a 19-yard field goal and a 13-13 tie.


It proved to be Hampton's last chance to keep pace.


Campbell's first five possessions of the second half produced points.


The first was an 82-yard march capped by De'Von Thomas' two-yard touchdown run. After the defense forced a Hampton punt, Campbell went 45 yards for another score, this time with Sixkiller finding Thomas from 29 yards out.


Kaleb Robison's 24-yard field goal made it 30-13.


Then the Campbell defense joined the avalanche.


AJ Benton recovered a Hampton fumble, giving the Camels possession at the Pirates' 22. Three plays later, Sixkiller connected with freshman Christian Campbell for a six-yard touchdown.


Six seconds of game time later, Gavin Harris intercepted Tre'Von Taylor.


It took Campbell exactly one offensive play to capitalize.


Sixkiller hit Ezeigbo for a 64-yard touchdown, and a game tied at halftime had suddenly become a 44-13 rout. Campbell's five third-quarter scoring drives covered 82, 45, 34, 22 and 64 yards.


Sixkiller was at the center of nearly everything.


The Campbell quarterback completed 24 of 31 passes for 308 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. He also led the Camels with 73 rushing yards on only five carries. It marked his fourth 300-yard passing performance through Campbell's first five games.


Ezeigbo made the most of his opportunities, catching only two passes but turning them into 98 yards and two touchdowns. Twelve different Campbell players caught a pass as the Camels finished with 534 yards of offense – 337 through the air and 197 on the ground.


The defense did its part as well, holding Hampton to 62 rushing yards while recording nine tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions. Campbell forced three turnovers after halftime after committing two of its own before the break.


Hampton added a fourth-quarter touchdown, but by then the result had long since been decided.


Campbell's first half looked nothing like the debut a newly ranked program might have envisioned.


Its third quarter looked exactly like one.

No. 22 Campbell Explodes After Halftime, Rolls Past Hampton 44-20 in First Game as Ranked Program - Carolina Gridiron

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Campbell Breaks into FCS Top 25 for First Time

7:46 PM
Campbell Breaks into FCS Top 25 for First Time

BUIES CREEK – Campbell’s fast start has carried the football program into new territory: a national ranking for the first time in its modern history.

The Fighting Camels entered the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 at No. 22 on Monday after a 42-14 victory over North Carolina A&T. Campbell also received votes in the AFCA coaches poll, placing just outside that ranking’s top 25.

Campbell is 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the Coastal Athletic Association, its best start since 2019. The Camels are unbeaten against FCS opponents and, with the win over A&T, captured their first CAA opener since joining the league in 2023. The surge follows a 2-10 season in 2025, when Campbell finished 2-6 in conference play.

The ranking followed Campbell’s most complete performance of the season. Quarterback Kamden Sixkiller completed 23 of 25 passes for 341 yards and four touchdowns, a 92% completion rate that the CAA said was the best in the FCS this season. He shared the league’s Offensive Player of the Week honor, his second CAA weekly offensive award of the season. Running back JJ Cowan produced 185 yards from scrimmage and three scores, and wide receiver Jyron Waiters added seven catches for 155 yards and two touchdowns as the Camels rolled up 574 yards of offense.

Photo Credit: Campbell Sports Media

Campbell opened the season with a 49-37 road win at ETSU and followed with a 28-19 home victory over then-No. 24 Western Carolina. The Camels have surpassed 500 yards of offense in each of their wins, and Sixkiller has thrown for at least 330 yards against all three FCS opponents. A loss at Florida is Campbell’s only setback through four games, but the wins were enough to lift the program into the national poll in the 19th season of its modern era.

The Camels return to CAA play at Hampton on Saturday, Sept. 26. They visit North Carolina Central on Oct. 3 before returning to Barker-Lane Stadium to face Towson in the Oct. 17 homecoming game.

Campbell Breaks into FCS Top 25 for First Time - Carolina Gridiron

Sunday, September 6, 2026

Campbell Builds Early Cushion, Holds Off Western Carolina 28-19 After Storm-Delayed Kickoff

2:40 PM
Campbell Builds Early Cushion, Holds Off Western Carolina 28-19 After Storm-Delayed Kickoff

BUIES CREEK – Western Carolina had to wait an extra day to take the field against Campbell. Once the game finally began, an early deficit proved too much for the Catamounts to overcome.


Campbell scored touchdowns on each of its first two possessions and built an 18-point halftime advantage before holding off Western Carolina’s second-half comeback for a 28-19 victory Sunday at Barker-Lane Stadium.


The game was originally scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 p.m., but severe weather and a power failure forced the contest to be postponed until Sunday morning. The rescheduled game kicked off at 11:03 a.m. under sunny skies, with a temperature of 80 degrees. 


Campbell (2-0) wasted little time taking control.


The Camels marched 91 yards in 10 plays on their opening possession, with quarterback Kamden Sixkiller finding Brady Ambrose for a 6-yard touchdown. After Western Carolina went three-and-out, Campbell drove another 53 yards, and Sixkiller's 8-yard touchdown run gave the Camels a 14-0 advantage with four minutes remaining in the first quarter. 


Western Carolina (1-1) finally answered early in the second quarter when Bryan McCollum connected on a 23-yard field goal, but Campbell needed just five plays to respond. Ethan Lawrence capped a 64-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 21-3.


The Catamounts found their first touchdown late in the half. Quarterback Lex Thomas connected with Jai Boyd for a 48-yard score with 2:57 remaining, cutting the deficit to 21-10.


Any momentum from that play didn't last through halftime.


Taking over at its own 18 with 48 seconds left, Campbell went 82 yards in only 30 seconds. Sixkiller hit Spencer Jones for a 32-yard touchdown with 18 seconds remaining, sending the Camels to the locker room ahead 28-10. 


Those would be Campbell's final points.


Western Carolina's defense forced three second-half turnovers and gave the Catamounts opportunities to work their way back into the game. Jayden Cornelius intercepted Sixkiller early in the third quarter and returned it 47 yards to the Campbell 8. The Catamounts went backward from there, however, settling for McCollum's 40-yard field goal to trim the margin to 28-13.


Western Carolina made it a one-score game early in the fourth quarter. Thomas directed an 11-play, 65-yard drive and found Boyd for a 1-yard touchdown with 9:24 remaining. The extra point failed, leaving Campbell ahead 28-19. 


The Catamount defense produced another opportunity minutes later. With Campbell threatening at the Western Carolina 4, Fernando Jeanty intercepted Sixkiller, giving the offense the ball at its own 2 with 5:51 remaining.


Thomas responded by moving the Catamounts 73 yards in nine plays, including completions of 20 and 23 yards to AJ Colombo and a 21-yard connection with Marcus Striggles. The drive stalled at the Campbell 25, and McCollum's 43-yard field-goal attempt missed with 3:47 to play. 


Western Carolina never got the ball back. A roughing-the-kicker penalty on fourth down extended Campbell's final possession, and the Camels ran out the clock. 


Thomas finished 25-of-44 for 326 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Colombo led Western Carolina with six catches for 91 yards, while Boyd caught two passes for 49 yards, both touchdowns. 


Sixkiller completed 29 of 44 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns but was intercepted three times. Jones caught seven passes for 126 yards and a touchdown.


Campbell's biggest statistical advantage came on the ground. The Camels rushed for 198 yards while holding Western Carolina to just one net rushing yard on 18 attempts. Campbell finished with 528 total yards to Western Carolina's 327 and possessed the ball for more than 36 minutes. 


The loss dropped Western Carolina to 1-1, while Campbell improved to 2-0. Both teams are on the road at FBS opponents next week, with the Camels traveling to Florida and the Catamounts heading to Cincinnati.

Campbell Builds Early Cushion, Holds Off Western Carolina 28-19 After Storm-Delayed Kickoff - Carolina Gridiron

Saturday, August 29, 2026

Sixkiller Powers Campbell Past ETSU in High-Scoring Opener

9:40 PM
Sixkiller Powers Campbell Past ETSU in High-Scoring Opener

Campbell football beats East Tennessee State 49-37 behind Kamden Sixkiller’s four touchdowns


JOHNSON CITY, TN – Campbell opened its season with the kind of offensive performance that can travel. Behind a huge night from quarterback Kamden Sixkiller, the Camels outlasted East Tennessee State 49-37 on Saturday in a game that featured 1,042 combined yards, 12 scoring drives and a late fourth-quarter answer that finally put the Buccaneers away.


Sixkiller carried Campbell throughout, completing 29 of 42 passes for 343 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He also led the Camels on the ground, rushing 10 times for 95 yards and two more scores. His final touchdown, a 14-yard keeper with 1:53 remaining, capped an 82-yard drive and gave Campbell breathing room after ETSU had trimmed the deficit to five.


Campbell never trailed by more than seven and answered nearly every ETSU push with one of its own. Sixkiller started the scoring with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Evan Austin, finishing an eight-play, 75-yard opening drive. ETSU tied it on Max Mims’ 18-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Weary, but Campbell responded late in the first quarter when Elijah Lawrence scored from three yards out.


The second quarter turned the game into a back-and-forth shootout. ETSU took a 21-14 lead on rushing touchdowns by Jermaine Albritton and Travon Peyton, but Campbell answered with a seven-play, 75-yard drive that Sixkiller finished with a five-yard touchdown run. After an ETSU missed field goal, Campbell moved 64 yards in 1:23 and went back in front on Sixkiller’s 26-yard touchdown pass to Stevie Keener with 25 seconds left in the half.


ETSU still managed to add a 44-yard Ewan Johnson field goal as time expired, cutting Campbell’s halftime lead to 28-24. The score reflected the pace of the first half, when the two teams combined for 527 yards and seven scoring possessions.


Campbell created separation late in the third quarter. Devin Thomas finished a six-play, 65-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run, then added a one-yard score early in the fourth after the Camels turned an ETSU fumble into a short field. That touchdown gave Campbell a 42-24 lead, its largest of the game.


ETSU did not go quietly. Mims, who completed 33 of 41 passes for 373 yards and two touchdowns, led the Buccaneers back with a fourth-quarter push. Da’Quan Rucker scored on a four-yard run with 10:34 remaining, and Mims later found Brandon Winton for a six-yard touchdown that pulled ETSU within 42-37 with 5:34 left.


That set up the game’s decisive drive. Facing third-and-2 at the Campbell 40, Sixkiller broke free for a 42-yard run to the ETSU 18, flipping the field and draining the clock. Three plays later, he kept the ball again and scored from 14 yards out to restore the 12-point cushion.


Campbell finished with 514 total yards, including 343 passing and 171 rushing. Austin led the receiving group with four catches for 93 yards and a touchdown, while Aaryn Tate added 55 yards, Spencer Jones had 49 and Jon Gullette caught seven passes for 43 yards. Keener’s lone touchdown catch gave Campbell a halftime lead it never lost.


The Camels also won the turnover battle, recovering two ETSU fumbles and turning one into points. Caleb Battaglia led Campbell defensively with 12 tackles, including eight solo stops and a forced fumble. Vincent Sheppert added seven tackles and also forced a fumble.


ETSU outgained Campbell 528-514 and had 28 first downs to Campbell’s 24, but the Camels were more efficient in the red zone, finishing 5-for-5 with five touchdowns. Campbell also converted three of four fourth-down attempts and held the ball for 32:53.


For Campbell, the difference was the ability to finish drives and answer late. On a night when neither offense had much trouble moving the ball, Sixkiller’s dual-threat performance gave the Camels the final response they needed.

Sixkiller Powers Campbell Past ETSU in High-Scoring Opener - Carolina Gridiron

Saturday, October 25, 2025

NC A&T Stuns Campbell With Two Special Teams Touchdowns in Final Minutes

4:20 PM
 NC A&T Stuns Campbell With Two Special Teams Touchdowns in Final Minutes

GREENSBORO – Elijah Kennedy returned a punt 96 yards for a touchdown and followed with an 85-yard kickoff return for another score in the final six minutes, lifting NC A&T to a 28-24 victory over Campbell on Saturday at Truist Stadium.


The Aggies trailed 24-21 with 1:49 remaining when Kennedy took the ensuing kickoff following Campbell's go-ahead field goal and raced untouched for the game-winning score. The dramatic finish capped a second-half comeback that saw NC A&T erase a 21-7 fourth-quarter deficit.


Campbell appeared in control after Alex Crabb's 38-yard field goal gave the Camels a 24-21 lead with 1:49 left, finishing off a 12-play, 53-yard drive that consumed more than four minutes. But Kennedy's return on the next play immediately flipped the outcome.


The Camels got the ball back at their own 25 with 1:29 remaining. Kamden Sixkiller completed an 18-yard pass to Stevie Keener to move into NC A&T territory, and a facemask penalty on the Aggies advanced Campbell to the NC A&T 40. But Sixkiller was sacked for a two-yard loss, threw two incompletions, and his final pass intended for Daniel Lopes fell incomplete at the NC A&T 23 with 43 seconds left.


Kennedy's heroics began earlier in the fourth quarter when he returned a punt 96 yards for a touchdown with 6:12 remaining, tying the game at 21-21 after Campbell had taken a two-touchdown lead.


Campbell opened the scoring when Sixkiller connected with Trayjen Llanas-Wilcox on a 34-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. NC A&T answered on its next possession, capping a six-play, 44-yard drive when Kevin White hit Michael Carlock-Williams with a seven-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7.


The Camels retook the lead early in the second quarter on Naieem Kearney's one-yard touchdown run, the culmination of a 15-play, 97-yard drive that took nearly six minutes off the clock. Campbell extended its advantage to 21-7 early in the fourth quarter when Sixkiller found Trevor Wilson for a nine-yard touchdown pass, finishing a four-play, 35-yard drive.


NC A&T responded with a seven-play, 86-yard scoring drive, pulling within 21-14 when White scored on a three-yard run with 9:37 left in the game. The Aggies' offense produced 49 yards on a completion to Jayvonne Dillard before White's rushing touchdown.


Sixkiller completed 30 of 48 passes for 312 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for Campbell. He found nine different receivers, with Randall King catching seven passes. Mike Chandler II added 62 yards on 12 receptions, frequently serving as a safety valve in the passing game.


White finished 12 of 20 passing for 133 yards and one touchdown without an interception for NC A&T. Dillard caught three passes for 63 yards, while Kennedy caught three for 28 yards before his special teams fireworks.


Campbell generated 375 total yards compared to 222 for NC A&T, but the Aggies produced 264 return yards that proved decisive. The Camels held a significant time of possession advantage at 35:18 to 23:59.


Wesley Graves led NC A&T's ground game with 89 rushing yards on 18 carries. The Camels managed just 63 net rushing yards on 32 attempts, averaging two yards per carry.


Campbell's defense recorded three sacks and five tackles for loss. Logan Livermon led the Camels with nine total tackles, while DaVonyae Pettis added five tackles and two tackles for loss.


On the NC A&T side, Joshua Iseah recorded 11 tackles to pace the defense. Marquis Hood contributed five tackles and two sacks totaling 17 yards in losses. Aaron Harris broke up four passes in coverage.


The Camels converted five of 14 third downs and went one of three on fourth down attempts. NC A&T was three of 11 on third downs and did not attempt a fourth down conversion.


Campbell committed nine penalties for 65 yards, while NC A&T was flagged 11 times for 122 yards. The Aggies' pass interference penalties proved costly, setting up multiple Campbell scoring opportunities.


Campbell falls to 2-6 overall and 2-2 in conference play. NC A&T improves to 1-6 overall and 1-2 in the league, snapping a five-game losing streak.


Top Performers

NC A&T:

  • Elijah Kennedy: 3 receptions for 28 yards, 1 TD; 96-yard punt return TD; 85-yard kickoff return TD
  • Kevin White: 12-of-20 passing, 133 yards, 1 TD; 3-yard rushing TD
  • Wesley Graves: 18 rushes, 89 yards
  • Joshua Iseah: 11 tackles

Campbell:

  • Kamden Sixkiller: 30-of-48 passing, 312 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
  • Randall King: 7 receptions, 62 yards
  • Naieem Kearney: 1-yard rushing TD
  • Logan Livermon: 9 tackles

Saturday, October 4, 2025

NC State Rolls Past Campbell 56-10 Behind Bailey's Four Touchdowns

6:04 PM
NC State Rolls Past Campbell 56-10 Behind Bailey's Four Touchdowns

RALEIGH – NC State put together a comprehensive performance Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium, defeating in-state FCS foe Campbell 56-10. The Wolfpack improved to 4-2 overall while the Fighting Camels fell to 1-5.


Quarterback CJ Bailey orchestrated the offensive showcase, completing 20 of 23 passes for 337 yards and four touchdowns. His efficient afternoon included scoring strikes to four different receivers and helped NC State pile up 607 total yards of offense.


The game began competitively enough. After NC State's opening touchdown drive, Campbell responded immediately when Kamden Sixkiller found Mike Chandler II for a 13-yard touchdown pass at the 8:54 mark of the first quarter, knotting the score at 7-7. The two-play, 14-yard drive took just 46 seconds after Campbell recovered a muffed punt at the NC State 14-yard line.


That would be Campbell's final trip to the end zone. NC State answered on the very next play from scrimmage when Hollywood Smothers broke through the middle and raced 59 yards for a touchdown just 41 seconds later, putting the Wolfpack ahead for good at 14-7.


The Wolfpack scored on seven consecutive possessions spanning from late in the first quarter through the middle of the third. Bailey connected with Cody Hardy from 37 yards out to close the first quarter scoring at 21-7. The second quarter turned into a sustained offensive clinic, with NC State adding four more touchdowns.


Smothers caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Bailey at 13:45 of the second quarter. Terrell Anderson hauled in a 34-yard scoring strike at 8:33. Running back Jayden "Duke" Scott punched in a 14-yard touchdown run at 2:28, and Justin Joly capped the first-half barrage with a 10-yard reception in the final minute before halftime. The Wolfpack took a 49-7 lead into the break.


The ground game complemented the passing attack effectively. Smothers finished with 123 yards on just four carries, averaging 30.8 yards per attempt. Scott added 89 yards and two touchdowns on 10 attempts. As a team, NC State rushed for 236 yards on 26 carries, averaging 9.1 yards per attempt.


Campbell's offense struggled to generate sustained momentum after the opening quarter. The Fighting Camels managed just 188 total yards, 67 rushing and 121 passing. They converted only four of 16 third-down attempts and failed on both fourth-down tries. Campbell's time of possession advantage (33:00 to 27:00) reflected the Wolfpack's efficiency rather than any sustained offensive success from the visitors.


JJ Cowan led Campbell's rushing attack with 48 yards on 12 carries. Sixkiller completed 12 of 22 passes for 87 yards and the lone touchdown before giving way to backup quarterbacks Jalen Ferguson and Mike Chandler II. Trevor Wilson caught four passes for 18 yards to lead the receiving corps.


Scott added his second and third touchdowns in the third quarter, the latter a two-yard run at 6:06 that extended the lead to 56-7. With the outcome decided, both teams emptied their benches. NC State quarterbacks Lex Thomas and Will Wilson saw action in relief of Bailey, combining to complete five of 11 passes for 34 yards.


Campbell's only points of the second half came on a 46-yard field goal by Alex Crabb with 4:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, capping a four-play, 12-yard drive that began after Ravel Cato's interception gave the Fighting Camels possession at the NC State 41.


Defensively, NC State recorded two sacks for 18 yards and seven tackles for loss totaling 28 yards. Sabastian Harsh led the pass rush with 1.5 sacks for 12 yards. Kenny Soares Jr. paced the defense with nine total tackles (two solo, seven assists). The Wolfpack held Campbell to an average of 2.9 yards per play.


Campbell's defense forced two fumbles but recovered only one. The Fighting Camels recorded two tackles for loss and intercepted one pass, Cato's fourth-quarter pick that he returned 33 yards to set up the field goal. Tyrek Brown and Jojo Pace each finished with six tackles to lead the unit.


NC State's offensive balance proved overwhelming. The Wolfpack averaged 10.9 yards per pass attempt and 14.8 yards per completion. Bailey's touchdown passes covered 37, 16, 34, and 10 yards, spreading the scoring opportunities across the receiving corps. Anderson (50 yards), Noah Rogers (62 yards), and Keenan Jackson (43 yards) provided downfield threats that kept Campbell's defense stretched thin.


Campbell showed some resilience with a 10-play drive to open the second half, reaching the NC State 43, but turned the ball over on downs. Another eight-play, 34-yard possession in the third quarter also ended with a punt. But the Fighting Camels never seriously threatened after falling behind 14-7 early in the first quarter.


The victory gave NC State its fourth win of the season and snapped a two-game conference losing streak. For Campbell, the loss continued a difficult stretch that has seen the Fighting Camels drop four of their last five games since opening the season with a conference win.


Key Performers

NC State:

  • CJ Bailey: 20-of-23 passing, 337 yards, 4 TDs
  • Hollywood Smothers: 4 rushes, 123 yards, 1 TD; 2 receptions, 30 yards, 1 TD
  • Jayden "Duke" Scott: 10 rushes, 89 yards, 2 TDs
  • Noah Rogers: 3 receptions, 62 yards
  • Terrell Anderson: 2 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD

Campbell:

  • JJ Cowan: 12 rushes, 48 yards
  • Mike Chandler II: 2 receptions, 24 yards, 1 TD
  • Kamden Sixkiller: 12-of-22 passing, 87 yards, 1 TD
  • Kenny Soares Jr. (NC State): 9 tackles



NC State Rolls Past Campbell 56-10 Behind Bailey's Four Touchdowns

Sunday, September 28, 2025

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

10:13 AM
Western Carolina Rallies Past Campbell's Comeback Bid, 42-35


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
Campbell Survives Double Overtime Battle Against Bryant, 50-48

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

Saturday, August 30, 2025

Rhode Island Rallies Past Campbell 31-20 in CAA Opener

5:05 PM
Rhode Island Rallies Past Campbell 31-20 in CAA Opener

KINGSTON, RI – Rhode Island turned a 17-14 halftime deficit into a commanding victory, outscoring Campbell 17-3 in the second half to win 31-20 on Friday night at Meade Stadium in the CAA opener for both teams.


The ninth-ranked Rams (1-0, 1-0 CAA) controlled the game's flow after intermission, scoring on three consecutive possessions to pull away from the visiting Camels (0-1, 0-1 CAA).


Rhode Island struck first when quarterback Devin Farrell connected with tight end Kevin Schaeffer for a 31-yard touchdown pass just 1:53 into the contest, capping a four-play, 75-yard opening drive.


Campbell answered with 17 consecutive points, capitalizing on Rhode Island miscues to seize control. The Camels tied the game 7-7 when Kamden Sixkiller found JJ Cowan for a one-yard scoring pass following a Rhode Island fumble that gave Campbell possession at the URI 3-yard line.


The Camels expanded their advantage early in the second quarter on a methodical 16-play, 90-yard drive that consumed 8:39 and ended with Mike Chandler II's six-yard rushing touchdown. Campbell added to their lead moments later when Alex Crabb converted a 29-yard field goal after recovering another Rhode Island fumble.


Rhode Island cut into the deficit before halftime when running back Antwain Littleton Jr. punched in a two-yard touchdown run, completing an eight-play, 75-yard drive that made it 17-14 at the break.


The third quarter belonged to the kickers, with Crabb extending Campbell's lead to 20-14 on a 40-yard field goal before Rhode Island's Garth White answered with a 36-yarder to narrow the gap to 20-17.


The momentum shifted decisively in the fourth quarter. Littleton Jr. gave Rhode Island its first lead since early in the game with a one-yard plunge that finished a 13-play, 66-yard drive, putting the Rams ahead 24-20 with 12:02 remaining.


Rhode Island delivered the knockout blow just 35 seconds later when Farrell found wide receiver Marquis Buchanan for a 46-yard touchdown strike on the first play of the Rams' next possession, extending the lead to 31-20.


Farrell completed 15 of 28 passes for 275 yards and two touchdowns, spreading the ball effectively throughout Rhode Island's receiving corps. Buchanan led all receivers with 167 yards on six catches, while Greg Gaines added 45 yards on six receptions.


Littleton Jr. anchored the ground attack with 85 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries, helping Rhode Island control the line of scrimmage in the second half.


Campbell's offense showed flashes but couldn't sustain drives consistently after halftime. Sixkiller completed 17 of 33 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown while adding 21 rushing yards. The Camels' receiving attack was balanced, with Randall King catching five passes for 52 yards and Spencer Jones hauling in four receptions for 55 yards.

Campbell WR Randall King (Photo Credit: Brian Foley)

Chandler II contributed both as a runner and passer, rushing for 29 yards and a touchdown while completing 1 of 3 passing attempts.


Defensively, Rhode Island generated consistent pressure in the second half, recording two sacks and eight tackles for loss. Leisaan Hibbert topped the tackle chart with eight stops, while Rohan Davy and Case Mankins each recorded six tackles and a sack.


Campbell's defense was paced by linebacker Logan Livermon, who recorded nine tackles. Safety Jojo Pace added six tackles, including one for loss, and forced a fumble that helped fuel the Camels' first-quarter scoring surge.


The Rams controlled field position and time of possession, holding the ball for 28:55 compared to Campbell's 31:05, but made their possessions count when it mattered most.


Campbell will look to rebound next Friday when they travel to face East Carolina, while Rhode Island prepares for its next CAA matchup.

https://www.carolinagridiron.com/2025/08/2025-camp-vs-ri.html

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Campbell Upset Bid Foiled by Last Second Field Goal

11:31 AM
Campbell Upset Bid Foiled by Last Second Field Goal

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, November 2, 2024

Elon Dominates Campbell in 50-27 Victory

6:55 PM
Elon Dominates Campbell in 50-27 Victory


ELON – Elon's explosive offense and balanced attack led them to a commanding 50-27 victory over Campbell at Rhodes Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Phoenix (4-6, 3-3) controlled the game from the opening drive, building a 26-13 halftime lead and never looking back.


Elon quarterback Matthew Downing threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns, with Chandler Brayboy being his primary target. Brayboy finished with eight receptions for 183 yards and two touchdowns, including a 66-yard scoring strike on Elon's first offensive play of the game.


Running back Rushawn Baker powered the Phoenix ground game, rushing for 154 yards on 23 carries and finding the end zone three times. His performance helped Elon control the clock, as they held possession for over 32 minutes.


Despite the loss, Campbell (3-7, 1-5) showed offensive firepower of their own. Quarterback Mike Chandler II passed for 355 yards and four touchdowns, connecting with Randall King and Sincere Brown seven times each. King finished with 145 yards and two touchdowns, while Brown added 135 yards and two scores of his own, including a 70-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.


Elon's defense, led by Caleb Curtain's game-high 12 tackles, forced Campbell to be one-dimensional. The Fighting Camels managed just 124 yards rushing, while Elon racked up 203 yards on the ground.


The Phoenix struck quickly, taking just nine seconds to score on their opening drive with Brayboy's 66-yard touchdown reception. They extended their lead to 14-0 on Baker's first touchdown run. Campbell responded with a touchdown pass from Chandler to King, but Elon's Ishmel Atkins returned the failed conversion attempt to push the lead to 16-6.


Elon's offensive efficiency showed in the red zone, where they scored on all six trips, including four touchdowns. The Phoenix put the game away in the third quarter, outscoring Campbell 17-7 to build a 43-20 lead.


The victory marks Elon's second consecutive win in conference play, while Campbell has now dropped three straight CAA contests.


Saturday, October 26, 2024

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

7:40 PM
Campbell Defeats NC A&T 21-7 Behind Brown's Two Long Touchdowns

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, October 6, 2024

Eagles Soar to Dominant Victory Over Campbell

11:12 AM
Eagles Soar to Dominant Victory Over Campbell

BUIES CREEK – North Carolina Central unleashed an explosive offensive performance, dominating Campbell 45-14 in a nonconference Old North State Showdown at Barker-Lane Stadium on Saturday afternoon.


The Eagles (4-2) established their dominance early, erupting for 28 unanswered points in the second quarter. Quarterback Walker Harris orchestrated the offensive onslaught, connecting on 14 of 23 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score of his own.


NC Central’s ground game proved equally potent, with J’Mari Taylor accumulating 89 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Chris Mosley delivered a spark with a 57-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, finishing with 75 yards on just two attempts.


The Eagles’ defense matched their offense’s intensity, limiting Campbell (2-4) to 103 passing yards and forcing three turnovers. Quantez Mansfield led the defensive charge with six tackles, including 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. Malcolm Reed and Tomondrey Braxton each recorded interceptions.


Campbell showed signs of life in the second half when VJ Wilkins broke free for a 55-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Mike Chandler II later added a 72-yard scoring dash, the Camels’ longest rushing play since 2017. However, these highlights weren’t enough to overcome the substantial deficit.


The Eagles’ special teams contributed to the victory, with Darryl Taylor returning a punt 68 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. Kicker Juan Velarde was perfect on the day, converting all six extra points and adding a 43-yard field goal.


Campbell’s defense was anchored by Cornelius Davis, who recorded a game-high nine tackles, while Jalen Brooks added seven stops and a sack.


Up Next

NC Central hosts VU-Lynchburg next week in Durham while Campbell will have a bye week before resuming Colonial Athletic Association play at No. 12 William & Mary on October 19.

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Campbell Tops Delaware State in Offensive Slugfest

8:00 AM
Campbell Tops Delaware State in Offensive Slugfest

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.


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