GREENSBORO – Guilford College football endured two lightning delays, heavy rain and nearly five hours of action Saturday night before holding off Methodist University 20-17 at Appenzeller Field at the Armfield Athletic Center.

The victory moved Guilford to 1-1 on the season and gave the Quakers their fourth straight win over Methodist and 10th victory in the last 11 meetings between the programs. Methodist fell to 0-2.

The game featured 711 yards of total offense, with Guilford holding a narrow 368-343 advantage. The Quakers did most of their damage on the ground, rushing for 226 yards compared with 118 for Methodist. The Monarchs had the advantage through the air, 225-142, while Methodist won the turnover battle 2-1.

Guilford's biggest plays came from its running game and helped make the difference.

Evan Sullivan led all rushers with 103 yards on 11 carries, including a 72-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Maurice Andrews added 55 yards and a 37-yard touchdown on 11 carries, while Malik Woodard rushed five times for 41 yards.

The 72-yard run was Guilford's second touchdown of at least 70 yards. Earlier in the game, quarterback Tristan Gabrels connected with Shane Shapiro on Guilford's first offensive play. Shapiro broke through the Methodist defense and raced 80 yards for a touchdown.

Shapiro finished with three receptions for 96 yards, leading all receivers. Gabrels completed 11 of 24 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown, but Methodist intercepted him twice.

Methodist quarterback Asa Windham completed 13 of 29 passes for 225 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. It was a career-high in passing yards for Windham and his first multi-touchdown game as a Monarch.

Chris Clark led Methodist on the ground with 96 yards on 20 carries. Juels Huntley added 47 yards on five carries. Colin Fay led Methodist's receivers with 58 yards, while Tanner Zill and Toby Cates Jr. each recorded a touchdown reception.

Methodist moved the ball on its opening possession. Clark picked up a first down before Windham connected with Fay for a 44-yard completion that moved the Monarchs to the Guilford 17-yard line. The drive stalled, however, and Ethan Emery's 35-yard field goal attempt went wide right.

Guilford answered immediately.

On the Quakers' first offensive play, Gabrels found Shapiro on a short completion. Shapiro broke multiple tackles and turned the catch into an 80-yard touchdown, putting Guilford ahead 7-0.

After the teams traded punts, Methodist responded with its first touchdown of the season. Windham found Zill for a 45-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7 late in the opening quarter.

Guilford regained the lead on the opening play of the second quarter. Andrews took the handoff and raced 37 yards for a touchdown, putting the Quakers ahead 14-7.

Methodist's defense answered with points of its own. Michael Morrison and Carlos Mendez combined to bring down a Guilford ball carrier in the end zone for a safety, cutting the Quakers' lead to 14-9.

The score remained unchanged through halftime.

The second half became increasingly difficult to navigate as lightning and heavy rain repeatedly interrupted the game.

Guilford moved deep into Methodist territory on a third-quarter drive, reaching the Methodist 5-yard line before Gabrels was intercepted by Anthony Smith on a tipped pass. The interception came just before the first lightning delay, which lasted 49 minutes.

When play resumed, heavy rain moved into the area. Neither team scored during the remainder of the third quarter as the conditions and repeated stoppages disrupted both offenses.

Guilford's defense continued to create pressure against Windham. The Quakers recorded seven sacks, tying for the seventh-most in program history.

Owen Whelan led Guilford with 13 tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss. Garrett Wilson recorded 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks, while Simeon Reid added two sacks and three tackles for loss. Ben Finkelstein had eight tackles and intercepted Windham for the second straight week.

Methodist's Wesley Folsom led all Monarch defenders with 10 tackles, including six solo stops. Smith and Bryan Graham each recorded an interception, with both players picking up their first collegiate interceptions.

After Methodist was forced to punt early in the fourth quarter, Guilford needed just one play to extend its lead.

Sullivan broke through the middle of the Methodist defense and raced 72 yards for a touchdown. Methodist blocked the ensuing extra point, leaving the Quakers ahead 20-9.

The Monarchs were unable to answer immediately, and another defensive stop by Guilford led to the game's second lightning delay. The second stoppage lasted about an hour.

When play resumed, Guilford again threatened to add to its lead, but Gabrels was intercepted by Bryan Graham in the end zone.

Methodist finally found its opening late in the fourth quarter.

The Monarchs put together a 91-yard, 10-play drive, with Windham connecting with Phernete Workman for 17 yards and Tyrone Atkinson Jr. for 31 yards to move the ball into Guilford territory.

Three plays later, Windham found Cates Jr. for a 28-yard touchdown with 1:12 remaining. Methodist went for two, and Atkinson Jr. made the catch to cut Guilford's lead to 20-17.

Methodist attempted an onside kick, but Guilford recovered.

The Quakers could not pick up a first down, giving Methodist one final opportunity. The Monarchs took possession with six seconds remaining and attempted to keep the game alive with laterals, but the final play ended before Methodist could move into field-goal range.

Guilford escaped with the 20-17 victory. 

GREENSBORO – For a few minutes Saturday night, the 25th Gate City Soup Bowl looked like it might develop into another fight between Greensboro's two Division III programs.

Then Greensboro College took over.

The Pride scored the final 35 points and rolled past crosstown rival Guilford 48-7 at Pride Field, producing the most points Greensboro has scored against the Quakers and its largest margin of victory in the series. Greensboro opened the season 1-0, while Guilford fell to 0-1.

Greensboro finished with 553 yards of offense, including 277 on the ground, and collected 31 first downs. Guilford managed 230 total yards and 16 first downs.

Quarterback Cameron Turner powered the Pride offense, completing 13 of 21 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns while adding 67 rushing yards and another score. KJ Brown caught four passes for 99 yards and a touchdown, while Sincere McIntyre turned both of his receptions into touchdowns.

The game initially appeared headed toward a much tighter finish.

Greensboro converted an early Guilford interception into a methodical 14-play, 80-yard drive, capped by Camron Torrence-Kelly's 4-yard touchdown run with 4:51 remaining in the first quarter.

The Pride struck much faster on their next possession. Turner found Brown for a 54-yard touchdown to push the lead to 13-0 with 1:53 remaining.

Guilford immediately responded.

After two completions to Shane Shapiro helped move the Quakers to their own 42, Maurice Andrews broke free for a 58-yard touchdown run with 14 seconds left in the quarter. Ryan Black's extra point cut Greensboro's advantage to 13-7.

It would be Guilford's only score.

Greensboro increased the lead to 20-7 early in the second quarter when a punt return gave the Pride possession at the Guilford 27. Turner found McIntyre for a touchdown on the first play.

Guilford later produced a 15-play drive into Greensboro territory but turned the ball over on downs. The Quakers did create three takeaways during the game, but were unable to turn them into points. Greensboro carried the 20-7 advantage into halftime.

The Pride ended any uncertainty quickly in the third quarter.

After Greensboro's defense forced a three-and-out to begin the half, Kyjuan Westmoreland ran 36 yards on the Pride's first play. Turner then hit McIntyre for a 19-yard touchdown, stretching the lead to 27-7 just 2:12 into the half.

Torrence-Kelly added his second touchdown on a 7-yard run later in the quarter, and Turner scored from 15 yards out to give Greensboro a 41-7 advantage.

Austin Seabrook's 10-yard fourth-quarter touchdown completed the scoring.

Greensboro's offensive balance proved difficult for Guilford to contain. Westmoreland led the Pride with 84 rushing yards, Turner added 67 and Torrence-Kelly finished with 60 yards and two scores. Greensboro averaged 7.3 yards per play.

Guilford quarterback Tristan Gabrels finished 15 of 38 for 126 yards with one interception and was sacked three times. Shapiro caught 10 passes for 69 yards, while Andrews' touchdown accounted for more than half of the Quakers' 104 rushing yards.

The loss did include a milestone for Guilford linebacker Nick Iannone. His early tackles pushed him past Robert Smith for the Quakers' career record, giving Iannone 329 total tackles and counting.

Both Greensboro schools now move on from the rivalry game. Guilford makes its home debut Saturday against Methodist, while Greensboro travels to Roanoke College.

For the Pride, they'll do so after turning the 25th Soup Bowl into a record-setting night against their neighbors.

GREENSBORO – Guilford College has made the difficult decision to suspend the rest of its football season following a post-game altercation with Averett University on November 8, 2025. The incident, which occurred after the final whistle, was reviewed by the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), resulting in a joint agreement between both institutions to end their seasons immediately.

The ODAC determined that the actions following the game did not meet the conference’s standards for sportsmanship, respect, and conduct. As a consequence, Guilford will forfeit its last scheduled game against Bridgewater College, while Averett will forfeit its matchup with Roanoke College. The conference has offered Bridgewater and Roanoke the opportunity to play each other to complete their seasons.

ODAC Commissioner Brad Bankston emphasized the importance of integrity and respect in collegiate athletics, stating, “Sportsmanship and respect are essential elements of the ODAC experience. While competition is at the heart of what we do, the integrity with which we compete defines who we are. The actions following Saturday's contest did not reflect those values, and this decision underscores our commitment to maintaining the standards our conference represents.”

Greensboro Snaps 12-Year Losing Streak Against Quakers in Defensive Battle

GREENSBORO – Greensboro College ended a dozen years of frustration against crosstown rival Guilford with a 21-7 victory Saturday night at Armfield Athletic Center, claiming their first Gate City Soup Bowl triumph since 2012. The win moves the Pride to 1-0 while dropping the Quakers to 0-1 in what proved to be a defensive slugfest that featured more punting yards than either team's offensive output.

The game exploded into action just 12 seconds after kickoff when freshman Sincere McIntyre fielded Asher Frisbee's opening kick at the Greensboro 5-yard line and raced 95 yards untouched for a touchdown. The electrifying return, which came after a brief weather delay, immediately silenced what had been a raucous Guilford crowd and set the tone for an evening that would see the Pride control the game's crucial moments.

Guilford responded with their most sustained drive of the night, marching 60 yards in eight plays to tie the game at 7-7. The drive featured quarterback Caleb Robles connecting with Shane Shapiro for 14 yards on third-and-10, then finding DeHart for seven yards before Sullivan picked up a first down with a five-yard rush. The Quakers capped the drive when Robles punched it in from eight yards out with 5:20 remaining in the first quarter.

The offensive fireworks ended there, as both teams struggled to move the ball consistently throughout the remainder of the first half. Greensboro managed just 53 total rushing yards on 31 attempts, averaging a meager 1.7 yards per carry. Starting quarterback Chase Altis completed 9 of 18 passes for 47 yards but was sacked six times and threw an interception.

Guilford fared slightly better on the ground, accumulating 119 rushing yards on 35 carries for a 3.4-yard average, but couldn't capitalize on their opportunities. The Quakers' best chance to take the lead came as the first half expired when they drove to the Greensboro 26-yard line, only to see Adriano De Castro's 43-yard field goal attempt sail wide left.

The second half belonged to Greensboro's defense and the timely insertion of senior quarterback Josh Sims. After Guilford was forced to punt from deep in their own territory, Greensboro took over at the Guilford 28-yard line with 4:11 remaining in the third quarter. Sims, who had replaced the struggling Altis, immediately provided a spark by finding Kyjuan Westmoreland for 14 yards on the drive's first play.

The Pride methodically moved down the field, with Westmoreland contributing a one-yard rush and Mitrend Curry losing two yards on consecutive plays before Sims found his target. Facing third-and-8 from the Guilford 8-yard line, Sims rolled left and delivered a perfect strike to Karee Dykes in the corner of the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown with 1:38 left in the third quarter.

Guilford's offense, which had managed just 225 total yards through three quarters, couldn't respond to the mounting pressure. The Quakers were particularly hampered by their inability to convert on third downs, finishing just 5-of-18 on the night compared to Greensboro's 5-of-14 mark.

The Pride put the game away with a methodical seven-play, 56-yard drive that consumed 4:27 of the fourth quarter. Sims, who finished 7-of-12 for 109 yards and two touchdowns, showed poise in the pocket despite heavy pressure from Guilford's pass rush. The drive culminated when Sims found sophomore tight end Matt Kidd for an 11-yard touchdown pass with 2:05 remaining, extending Greensboro's lead to 21-7.

Guilford made one final attempt to get back into the game, but junior safety Jay Law sealed the victory by intercepting Luke Hyatt's pass with 1:13 remaining. Law, who recorded two interceptions and four total tackles, returned the pick 20 yards to the Guilford 46-yard line, allowing Greensboro to run out the clock with a pair of kneel-downs.

The defensive statistics told the story of the evening's battle in the trenches. Guilford's Travis Burton terrorized Greensboro's offensive line, recording eight tackles and 3.5 sacks, while teammate Nick Iannone led all players with 10 tackles and added four quarterback hurries. Despite the pass rush, Burton and Iannone couldn't generate enough stops when it mattered most.

Greensboro's defense, anchored by senior linebacker Frank Walker's eight tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss, bent but didn't break when it counted. The Pride forced two interceptions and limited Guilford to just 106 passing yards on 32 attempts. Kalil Marcus added six tackles while Caden Jeter contributed three tackles and a sack.

The offensive numbers reflected the defensive nature of the contest, with neither team reaching 250 total yards. Greensboro finished with 209 total yards while Guilford managed 225, though the Quakers' advantage was largely negated by their two turnovers compared to Greensboro's one.

Dykes led Greensboro's rushing attack with 26 yards on 11 carries while also catching three passes for 30 yards and the crucial third-quarter touchdown. For Guilford, Josh Campbell paced the ground game with 39 yards on nine carries, while Shapiro's five receptions for 44 yards represented the Quakers' most consistent offensive threat.

The victory marked a significant milestone for Greensboro, which had endured eight consecutive losses to Guilford dating back to their last win in the series in 2012. The triumph also represented the Pride's first 1-0 start to a season since that same 2012 campaign, providing early momentum for what the program hopes will be a breakthrough year.

Beyond the scoreboard, the 24th Annual Gate City Soup Bowl achieved its primary community mission, collecting over 11,000 canned goods and non-perishable food items for local food banks. The annual food drive has become a cornerstone of the rivalry, ensuring that regardless of the on-field outcome, the Greensboro community benefits from the crosstown showdown.

The statistical oddity of the evening was the total punting yardage of 370 yards between both teams, which exceeded either the combined passing yards (262) or rushing yards (172) for the game. Greensboro's Guy Galardi III averaged 34.5 yards on six punts, while Guilford's McKinley Reavis punted seven times for a 23.3-yard average.

Key Performers:

• Sincere McIntyre, Greensboro: 95-yard kickoff return touchdown
• Josh Sims, Greensboro: 7-of-12, 109 yards, 2 touchdowns
• Jay Law, Greensboro: 2 interceptions, 4 tackles
• Frank Walker, Greensboro: 8 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack
• Travis Burton, Guilford: 8 tackles, 3.5 sacks
• Nick Iannone, Guilford: 10 tackles, 4 QB hurries

GREENSBORO – In the 23rd annual Soup Bowl, Guilford College's defense put on a masterclass performance, forcing five turnovers and shutting out crosstown rival Greensboro College in a 14-0 victory at Pride Field on Saturday. This win marks Guilford's eighth consecutive triumph in the rivalry series, improving their all-time record against Greensboro to 16-8.

The Quakers' defense set the tone early and maintained their dominance throughout the game. They held Greensboro to a mere 3.8 yards per play and prevented the Pride from running a single play in Guilford territory during the entire second half. This shutout is the third in the history of the Soup Bowl rivalry, with the previous two occurring in 2016 and 2014.

Eli Davis led Guilford's defensive effort with a career-high eight total tackles. Malik Hargrove, a transfer who previously played for Greensboro in 2021 and 2022, contributed six total tackles, including five solo stops, one tackle for a loss, and one sack. Avery Garner was a force in the backfield with 1.5 sacks among his 2.5 tackles for a loss.

The turnover battle heavily favored Guilford, with Tristan Bailey and Jaylan Richardson each intercepting Greensboro passes. Richardson, in particular, had a standout game with two interceptions. The Quakers' defense also forced and recovered a fumble, although the player responsible for this turnover was not specified in the game report.

Offensively, Guilford relied heavily on their ground attack, accumulating 198 net rushing yards. The Quakers employed a committee approach in their backfield, with Josh Campbell, Evan Sullivan, and Malik Woodard all recording double-digit carries. Campbell led the group with 73 yards on just ten carries, including a crucial late touchdown. Woodard served as the primary back, gaining 72 yards on 20 attempts and adding one reception for 17 yards, which resulted in the game's only receiving touchdown.

Photo Credit: Bryce Johnson (Guilford Athletics)

The scoring opened early in the game when Guilford capitalized on their first turnover. Tristan Bailey's interception on Greensboro's third play from scrimmage set up the Quakers in Pride territory. Despite two false start penalties, Guilford's offense persevered. The drive culminated in a short swing pass from Brown to Woodard, who tip-toed down the sideline for an untouched touchdown, putting Guilford up 7-0 less than five minutes into the game.

Surprisingly, the scoreboard remained unchanged for over 53 minutes of game time. Guilford had several opportunities to extend their lead, including two drives that reached inside Greensboro's five-yard line, but they couldn't convert these chances into points.

The Quakers finally broke through again late in the fourth quarter. After back-to-back carries of 12 and 25 yards by Campbell, the junior back punched it in from two yards out with just 1:50 remaining in the game, sealing the 14-0 victory for Guilford.

This win not only keeps the Soup Bowl trophy firmly in Quaker hands but also gives Guilford a 1-0 start to their season. The Quakers will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their home opener against Methodist on Saturday, September 14th, under the lights at Appenzeller Field.

GREENSBORO - In the latest edition of the annual Gate City Soup Bowl, the Guilford College Quakers took on the Greensboro College Pride on Saturday night at the Armfield Athletic Center. The Quakers managed to hold the Pride to just eight points in the second half, while scoring 27 points themselves, thanks to a strong rushing attack. With a final score of 36-21, this marks the seventh consecutive victory for Guilford in this series.

The game started off with Greensboro taking an early lead with a 31-yard pass from Alec Williams-Carr to Deaven Hawkins, followed by an Alex Mora kick, putting them ahead 7-0. Guilford responded with a 2-yard run by Joseph Brown Jr., but missed the extra point, leaving the score at 7-6. Guilford then took the lead with a 41-yard field goal by Burke Nettles, ending the first quarter with a score of 7-9.

In the second quarter, Greensboro regained the lead with a 9-yard pass from Alec Williams-Carr to Anthony Hreiz, but missed the extra point, leaving the score at 13-9. The third quarter saw Guilford take control of the game with a 64-yard pass from Bailey Baker to Parker DeHart and a 2-yard run by Bailey Baker, both followed by successful kicks by Burke Nettles, bringing the score to 13-22.

In the fourth quarter, Guilford continued to dominate with a 1-yard run by Cory Casilac and an 11-yard pass from Bailey Baker to Jay Daniels, both followed by successful kicks by Burke Nettles. Greensboro managed to score one more touchdown with a 4-yard run by Leonard Greer and a successful two-point conversion pass from Leonard Greer, but it was not enough to catch up. The game ended with a final score of 21-36 in favor of Guilford.

Both teams are on the road next week as Guilford travels to take on Methodist and Greensboro faces Averett.

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.

ASHLAND, VA - The Guilford College football team traveled to Ashland, Virginia to take on the ranked Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets. After trailing one at the half, the Quakers fell by the final of 48-19.

Guilford (1-3, 0-1) started the game with the opening possession but failed to gain a first down and punted the ball to the hosts.

Randolph-Macon (4-0, 1-0) took over at the Guilford 33 after a 17-yard punt return. The Yellow Jackets used three plays to set up first-and-goal at the one. Two plays later, they found the endzone on a two-yard run. The point after was no good as Montrel Cooper blocked the kick as R-MC led 6-0 at 10:33 of the first.

The Quakers responded on their next drive as they went 75 yards in 11 plays. Paulie Menegay ran in from four yards out for the score while Bailey Baker went 7-8 on the drive for 66 yards. Cameron Haiduven converted the PAT to give GC a 7-6 with 5:46 to go in the opening period.

Randolph-Macon started its next drive at the 24 but the Quaker defense forced a three-and-out. A bad punt set Guilford up on the Yellow Jacket 38. Baker went back to work completing passes of 15 and 26 yards that setup Menegay for another four-yard score. A failed point after try had the Quakers ahead by seven (13-6).

The Yellow Jackets' next drive covered the end of the first and start of the second quarter as they marched down the field. R-MC went 53 yards in five plays to score on a five-yard touchdown rush. The point after was good as the two teams were even at 13 with 13:55 on the clock.

A three-and-out by GC along with a 22-yard punt return, Randolph-Macon started its drive on the GC 36. Four runs and a pass put the Yellow Jackets in the endzone once more to go ahead 20-13.

Both teams punted on their next two possessions as Guilford got the ball back on its own 25 with 2:21 left in the first half. Baker moved the Quaker offense down the field, going 6-8 for 62 yards capped off by a 15-yard touchdown pass to Tre Alexander. The point after was no good as GC trailed by one (20-19) with 29 seconds left on the clock.

Randolph-Macon used four plays to run out the clock as it led by the slim margin going into halftime.

In the second half, it was all Yellow Jackets as they scored 28 points and held the Guilford offense in check. R-MC won the game by the 29-point margin.

Baker finished the day 21-33 for 213 yards and one touchdown. Alexander caught six passes for 84 yards and a score. Nick Iannone led the defense with nine tackles and two for loss.

Up Next

Guilford returns home on Saturday, October 8 against Washington and Lee University on Homecoming weekend. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m.

Story courtesy of Guilford Athletics