In a highly anticipated college football matchup, the Appalachian State Mountaineers, riding a triumphant three-game winning streak, are set to face the undefeated James Madison Dukes. This clash is not just another game; it's a chance for App State to make a statement on the grand stage of ESPN's College GameDay, featuring the Mountaineers for the second consecutive season. After last year’s broadcast, Boone erupted as the Mountaineers defeated Troy on a last-minute Hail Mary, but the euphoria was short-lived as JMU handed App State a 32-28 defeat the following week. Memories of that loss linger as the Mountaineers aim to rewrite history on the turf of Bridgeforth Stadium. The Mountaineers have historically been a thorn in the side of AP Top 25 teams with seven of the Mountaineers’ last eight games against ranked teams ending in one-score games. App State is 2-2 in their last four games against the AP Top 25

Quarterback Joey Aguilar, thrust into the spotlight after replacing the injured Ryan Burger, has been a revelation. With 26 touchdown passes in 10 games, Aguilar ranks among the best in the Sun Belt and the Group of Five. His ability to lead the offense will be crucial against a formidable JMU defense. Running back Nate Noel, despite battling an injury, achieved a milestone by surpassing 3,000 career rushing yards. His explosive plays, exemplified by a 61-yard touchdown run against Georgia State, make him a key offensive weapon for the Mountaineers. Defensively, App State has shown resilience, limiting opponents in recent victories over Marshall and Georgia State. The Mountaineers aim to build on this momentum, ensuring that their 2023 losses, all decided in the closing seconds, become a thing of the past.

Campbell vs. North Carolina A&T: As the 2023 college football season reaches its conclusion, the Campbell Fighting Camels (4-6, 3-4 CAA) gear up for their final showdown against North Carolina A&T (1-9, 0-7 CAA) at Truist Stadium in Greensboro, N.C., with kickoff slated for 1:00 p.m. As Campbell concludes its inaugural CAA season, the team finds itself on the brink of making history. With a chance to secure a fourth victory in conference play, the Fighting Camels aim to join the ranks of Old Dominion, the only other program to achieve this feat in their first CAA season back in 2011. The team's current 3-4 record in the conference is a testament to their competitive spirit. Quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams, a standout performer, enters the final game of his Fighting Camel career as the program's all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and completions. Williams, completing 71% of his passes, has orchestrated the offense with 243.4 passing yards per game and 17 touchdowns. His connection with a diverse group of 17 receivers has been a key feature of the Campbell offensive arsenal. North Carolina A&T, also in its inaugural CAA season, enters the finale on a six-game losing streak. Despite a challenging season, the Aggies showcase talent in running back Kenji Christian, who leads the team with 709 rushing yards and six touchdowns, and linebacker BJ Turner, who boasts 85 tackles, including 12 for loss.

NC State vs Virginia Tech: The upcoming clash between the NC State Wolfpack and the Virginia Tech Hokies, marking the 52nd meeting in a historic rivalry dating back 123 years, is steeped in tradition and significance. With only seven matchups since Virginia Tech joined the ACC in 2004, the Wolfpack aims to build on their recent victory. Notable connections, including current Wolfpack assistant coaches Brian Mitchell and Charley Wiles with extensive tenures at Virginia Tech, add intrigue. Quarterback Brennan Armstrong, familiar with the Hokies from his time at Virginia, brings a dynamic element to the contest. Defensive strength, highlighted by Virginia Tech's Sacksburg reputation and NC State's resilience, sets the stage for an intense battle. As both teams vie for supremacy in the ACC, this matchup promises gridiron excitement and the continuation of a college football saga.

DURHAM – In a heart-pounding college football clash that played to the final whistle, No. 17 Duke went head-to-head with No. 11 Notre Dame at a raucous Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham. The game lived up to its top-25 billing, culminating in a thrilling finish that left spectators breathless. Duke, initially trailing 10-0 at halftime and 13-0 in the second half, mounted a remarkable comeback. Their persistence paid off as they took a 14-13 lead late in the game, fueled by a third-quarter touchdown from Jordan Waters and a fourth-quarter strike from Riley Leonard to Jordan Moore with just over nine minutes remaining.

However, the Fighting Irish, displaying their championship mettle, clawed back and orchestrated a game-winning drive. The turning point came on a crucial fourth-and-16 play when Notre Dame's quarterback, Sam Hartman, scrambled for 17 yards, keeping their hopes alive. Two plays later, Audric Estime broke free for a game-winning 30-yard touchdown rush with a mere 31 seconds left on the clock, stunning the Blue Devils with a final score of 21-14.

For Duke, it was a tough loss, ending their impressive six-game winning streak that had stretched back to last season. The Blue Devils now stand at 4-1, while the Fighting Irish improved to 5-1. 

Quarterback Riley Leonard played a pivotal role, accounting for 134 passing yards and leading the ground attack with 88 rushing yards on 18 carries. Duke's ground game, dominant throughout the contest, outgained Notre Dame on the turf, accumulating 189 yards compared to the Irish's 159.

The game marked a historic moment with the largest home crowd at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium since November 11, 1989, as 40,768 fans filled the stands. Notably, Jordan Waters continued his scoring streak with a rushing touchdown in five consecutive games, a feat not achieved by a Blue Devil since Riley Leonard in 2022. Jordan Moore contributed significantly with four receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown, bringing his receiving touchdown tally to eight.

On the defensive side, redshirt sophomore linebacker Tre Freeman recorded a career-high 13 tackles, including half a sack and a tackle for loss. Graduate safety Jeremiah Lewis also impressed with more than 10 tackles for the second time in his career. Notably, Duke's defense prevented Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman from finding the end zone through the air for the first time this season.

Despite the heart-wrenching loss, Duke head coach Mike Elko acknowledged the fantastic atmosphere created by the Duke community, especially on a day that began with ESPN College GameDay's first-ever visit to the campus. Elko commended the resilience and character of his team while expressing regret about missed opportunities and the critical fourth-and-16 play that swung the game in Notre Dame's favor.

With an open week ahead, Duke now looks forward to preparing for their next challenge against NC State at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium, with the kickoff time yet to be announced. As they regroup and analyze their performance, the Blue Devils remain confident in their abilities and determined to bounce back stronger in the coming weeks.

The gridiron at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium is set to ignite as the No. 17 Duke Blue Devils gear up to host the No. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a high-stakes showdown under the Saturday night lights. Kickoff for this epic battle is slated for 7:30 p.m., and fans across the nation can catch all the action live on ABC.

This year's eagerly anticipated contest marks the eighth gridiron meeting between Duke and Notre Dame, with the Fighting Irish holding a 5-2 series lead. Duke's first triumph over the Fighting Irish dates back to December 2, 1961, when they secured a resounding 37-13 victory on their home turf. As for recent history, Notre Dame enters the fray on the heels of two consecutive victories, including a convincing 27-13 win during their last encounter on September 12, 2020.

Duke's recent triumph over Connecticut added to the excitement, marking their fourth consecutive in-season win—a feat not seen since 1970. The Blue Devils also made history by kickstarting the season with four consecutive 20-plus point victories. In the wake of their impressive performances, Duke has risen to No. 17 in the Associated Press poll and No. 16 in the USA Today Coaches' polls. This ranking signifies the team's highest national standing since October 25, 1994, when they held the No. 16 spot.

When it comes to winning the turnover battle, Duke has demonstrated prowess under the guidance of head coach Mike Elko. In their last game against Connecticut, they outperformed their opponents 2-0 in turnovers, including a memorable fumble recovery and scoop-and-score by defensive tackle DeWayne Carter during the third quarter. Coach Elko's tenure has seen Duke emerge victorious in the turnover battle in 12 out of 17 games, amassing an impressive 115 points off those turnovers, featuring 15 touchdowns, three field goals, and one two-point conversion.

Coach Mike Elko's tenure has been nothing short of extraordinary, boasting a remarkable 13-4 record, translating to an impressive .765 winning percentage, through his first 17 games at the helm of the Blue Devils. Notably, this milestone is the best 17-game start for a head coach in Duke's storied history. Furthermore, Coach Elko's record at this juncture surpasses that of all current ACC coaches when they began their respective tenures at their current institutions.

Campbell Set to Take on No. 15 NC Central

The Campbell Camels (2-2, 1-2 CAA) are gearing up for an exciting face-off against the 15th-ranked North Carolina Central Eagles (3-1, 0-0 MEAC) this Saturday, September 30. The game will kick off at 4:00 p.m. at the iconic O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, and will be broadcast on ESPN+.

The Camels enter this matchup with one of the most potent offenses in the FCS. They are currently ranked 10th in scoring, averaging 37.2 points per game. Additionally, they rank 13th in total offense nationally, averaging 440.0 yards per game. Quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams has been exceptional, boasting the FCS's third-best completion percentage at 75.0%. He has completed 96-of-127 passes, averaging 282.5 passing yards per game, with six touchdowns and only one interception. Williams has also been a threat on the ground, contributing four rushing touchdowns.

The North Carolina Central University Eagles, ranked 15th, enter this matchup with a formidable defense. They have excelled in third-down conversion defense, ranking 18th in the nation in FCS, with a conversion rate of just 29.2%. NCCU also leads the MEAC in scoring defense, allowing an average of 32.3 points per game. The Eagles have several standout performers on the defensive side, including Jayden Flaker, who leads the team with 24 total tackles, 4.5 stops for loss, and 3.5 sacks. The defense has been adept at generating turnovers and creating opportunities for their team.

Elizabeth City State Hosts Johnson C. Smith on Homecoming

Johnson C, Smith, off to a fast 3-1 start, will travel to take on the Vikings of Elizabeth City State at Roebuck Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Vikings come into the game at 1-3 after a close loss to Shaw last Sunday. The Golden Bulls have been outscoring their opponents 29-13 through the first four weeks of the season. A balanced backfield, led by Tim Newman, Jr., Jacob Newman, and Shydem McCullough have averaged 187 rushing yards per game coming into this week’s game. Benari Black and Jack Smith lead a linebacker corps that have given opposing offenses fits so far. ECSU head coach Marcus Hilliard, himself a Vikings alumnus, will look to his sophomore signal caller to try and find a weakness in the JCSU defense. Dual-threat quarterback Chase Williams leads the Vikings in passing yards and rushing touchdowns. Demorian Smith and Teonne Porter lead an ECSU defense that is giving up less than twenty points per game so far this season.

With ESPN's College Gameday in Charlotte this weekend, the "Battle of the Carolinas" highlights what is an exciting opening weekend of college football in North Carolina. The Duke's Mayo Classic will see the North Carolina Tar Heels and the South Carolina Gamecocks battling Saturday night in Bank of America Stadium.

While the Tar Heels and Gamecocks don’t play each other often enough to sustain a heated rivalry like UNC has with Duke and NC State, this game is still an opportunity for both teams to set their teams on a trajectory toward success in 2023 while also getting a chance to represent their respective states. The game encompasses so much more than just football, it’s a chance to celebrate the history and culture of both North and South Carolina.

One key player to watch in this game is North Carolina’s sophomore quarterback Drake Maye. Maye is one of college football’s top returning players this fall and is heavily involved in early Heisman projections.

This game promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle between two talented teams. Fans from both states will be eagerly watching to see who comes out on top in this year’s “Battle of the Carolinas.”

Other Big Games

East Carolina at Michigan: East Carolina opens its season at No. 2 Michigan. Under fifth-year head coach Mike Houston, East Carolina closed the 2022 season winning five of its last seven games before finishing with an 8-5 overall record. The Pirates became bowl-eligible for the second consecutive season and earned their 10th bowl victory in program history with a 53-29 win over Coastal Carolina in the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl. Saturday’s game against Michigan will mark the third time the Pirates have faced a team ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the Associated Press poll.

Gardner Webb at Appalachian State: The Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs head up the mountain to take on the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Kidd Brewer Stadium. App State, which is 9-1 against FCS teams since its FBS transition in 2014, is facing a ranked FCS team for the first time since the Mountaineers’ final SoCon season in 2013. This game will kick off at 3:30 and will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Greensboro at Guilford: Greensboro College plays against crosstown rival Guilford College in the 23rd edition of the Gate City Soup Bowl Saturday at 7. Fans are encouraged to wear crimson as it is the football team’s BLEED CRIMSON game. Fans who bring three canned goods received free admission into the game, as part of a canned food drive to benefit Second Harvest and Greensboro Urban Ministries.

BOONE — A top-10 road win Saturday afternoon helped facilitate more big news Saturday night.

ESPN's College GameDay is coming to Boone.

Appearing in the High Country for the first time, the popular college football pregame show will be on campus next weekend, on Saturday, Sept. 17, for App State's Sun Belt Conference opener against Troy. Kickoff, subject to change, is currently scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Stay tuned to appstatesports.com and App State's social media platforms for more details on the exact location and other info.

The Mountaineers will head into their league opener fresh off a 17-14 win at No. 6 Texas A&M. It was the program's first win against a top-10 opponent since the 34-32 victory against No. 5 Michigan in 2007, when App State was an FCS power, and that nationally televised victory followed a home opener in which Kidd Brewer Stadium had a record 40,168 fans for a high-scoring thriller between the Mountaineers and North Carolina.

Now in its eighth season at the FBS level, App State has won four Sun Belt titles and six bowl games. The Mountaineers are 80-20 in their last 100 games.

Rece Davis leads the show in his eighth season as host. He is joined at the desk by GameDay analysts Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, and David Pollack and reporters Jen Lada, Gene Wojciechowski, and newcomer Jess Sims. Senior research producer Chris 'The Bear' Fallica and college football insider Pete Thamel round out the GameDay crew for the season.

Pat McAfee joined GameDay for the first time this past weekend in Austin, site of the Texas-Alabama game.