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.

RICHMOND, VA – As the 2025 CAA Football season approaches, the spotlight shines on three North Carolina programs, Elon, Campbell, and North Carolina A&T, all aiming to rise in a competitive league led by preseason favorite Rhode Island.

Elon was picked eighth in the preseason poll with 98 points, just behind perennial playoff contenders like William & Mary and Towson. Senior punter Jeff Yurk, a Southern Pines native, earned a spot on the preseason all-conference team after a standout 2024 campaign. Fullback/H-back Dylan Magazu and defensive lineman Kahmari Brown also received honorable mention recognition, signaling strong individual pieces for a program looking to break through in the standings.

Campbell, entering its second full season in CAA Football, was voted 10th with 53 points. While the Camels are still building depth across the roster, standout cornerback Brandon Guzman was named an honorable mention selection by league coaches. Campbell will look to improve on both sides of the ball as it navigates a challenging schedule in one of the nation’s most competitive FCS conferences.

North Carolina A&T, which continues its transition into the CAA, placed 14th in the preseason poll with 23 points. The Aggies return standout offensive lineman Korion Sharpe, a senior from Charlotte who earned a spot on the all-conference first team. Additionally, return specialist Aaron Harris was named honorable mention for his special teams impact. Both veterans offer stability and leadership as A&T eyes a step forward in 2025.

While the three North Carolina-based CAA programs look to assert themselves, Rhode Island sits atop the preseason rankings after an 11-3 season and a share of the conference title in 2024. The Rams garnered eight first-place votes and 163 points in the poll. Monmouth (142 points, four first-place votes) and Villanova (139 points, two first-place votes) round out the top three.

Rhode Island’s defense is led by A.J. Pena, the preseason CAA Defensive Player of the Year, while Monmouth’s prolific quarterback Derek Robertson was chosen as Offensive Player of the Year. The league’s top teams return star power on both sides of the ball, with Rhode Island’s 11 returning starters and Monmouth’s FCS-leading offense setting the pace.

2025 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team – Offense

2025 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team – Defense

2025 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team – Special Teams

2025 CAA Football Preseason Predicted Order of Finish

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.

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.

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.