ELON – Landen Clark accounted for six touchdowns and Elon finished its 2025 season at .500 with a 55-17 victory over North Carolina A&T on Saturday afternoon at Rhodes Stadium. The Phoenix improved to 6-6 overall and 4-4 in the CAA while the Aggies fell to 2-10 and 2-6.

Clark threw for 231 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 105 yards and two more scores. His second rushing touchdown broke Elon's single-season record with 11, surpassing the mark previously shared by John Taylor in 2004 and Jalen Hampton in 2022. The redshirt freshman capped his record-breaking performance with an 86-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Elon's offense produced 468 total yards and scored on eight of its first nine possessions. The defense forced three turnovers, recorded nine sacks and registered 13 tackles for loss.

The Phoenix needed just six seconds to take the lead on their opening drive. DJ James-Hamilton returned the opening kickoff 66 yards to the North Carolina A&T 29-yard line, and Clark connected with Landyn Backey on a 29-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage for a 7-0 advantage.

Elon extended its lead to 14-0 when Clark scored on a two-yard run with 11:21 remaining in the first quarter. The drive covered 16 yards in four plays after Hart III recovered a fumble at the A&T 16-yard line. Luke Barnes added a 27-yard field goal at the 4:00 mark, capping a 12-play, 43-yard drive that consumed more than five minutes.

North Carolina A&T got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter when Andrew Brown connected on a 34-yard field goal, finishing a seven-play, 62-yard drive. The Aggies cut the deficit to 3-17 at the 14:56 mark.

Clark and the Phoenix offense responded immediately. On the second play of Elon's ensuing possession, Clark hit Isaiah Fuhrmann in stride for a 76-yard touchdown pass. The score came at 13:50 and extended the lead to 24-3.

The Aggies answered with their lone touchdown of the first half. Nelson Layne connected with Michael Carlock-Williams on a 29-yard scoring strike, finishing an eight-play, 88-yard drive at the 4:26 mark. The touchdown brought North Carolina A&T within 10-24.

Elon closed the half with 10 unanswered points. Barnes added his second field goal of the game, a 27-yarder at 1:07, and Dan Frederick scored on a 19-yard run with 52 seconds remaining. The Phoenix took a 34-10 lead into halftime after scoring on two-play drives covering 28 and 8 yards.

North Carolina A&T opened the second half with another scoring drive. Layne found Carlock-Williams again, this time for a 31-yard touchdown with 11:18 left in the third quarter. The two-play, 36-yard drive trimmed Elon's advantage to 17-34.

The Phoenix responded with a methodical 14-play, 70-yard drive that consumed nearly six minutes. Clark capped the march with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Fuhrmann at 5:32, pushing the lead to 41-17.

Clark connected with Zimere Winston for a 54-yard touchdown with 1:08 remaining in the third quarter. The single-play scoring drive followed a failed fourth-down conversion by the Aggies and extended Elon's lead to 48-17.

Clark added his record-breaking touchdown in the fourth quarter. On third-and-one from the Elon 14-yard line, he broke through the line and raced 86 yards to the end zone at 8:30. The three-play, 95-yard drive put the Phoenix ahead 55-17.

Fuhrmann finished with five receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns, recording his fourth 100-yard receiving game of the season. The sophomore ended the campaign with 46 catches for 907 yards and nine touchdowns.

Frederick rushed for 101 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries, establishing a career high. It marked the first time since 2009 that two Elon players rushed for 100 yards in the same game, when Jamal Shuman and AJ Harris accomplished the feat against Presbyterian.

Backey caught three passes for 50 yards and one touchdown while Winston added one reception for 54 yards and a score.

The Elon defense held North Carolina A&T to 217 total yards. Kahmari Brown led the unit with eight tackles, three tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. The sophomore is now tied for Elon's career sacks record with 16.5 after just 23 games.

Brodie Carroll recorded a team-high 10 tackles while Asher Cunningham added seven stops. Hart III registered an interception and fumble recovery while Jake Louro contributed two sacks.

Barnes finished 2-for-2 on field goal attempts and converted all seven extra point attempts. The junior improved to 11-for-11 on field goals from inside 40 yards this season.

Layne completed 11 of 20 passes for 160 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for North Carolina A&T. He rushed 21 times for 33 yards but was sacked nine times for 78 yards in losses. Carlock-Williams caught two passes for 60 yards and both Aggies touchdowns.

North Carolina A&T managed just 57 net rushing yards on 35 attempts. The Aggies converted four of 14 third-down attempts and went 0-for-1 on fourth down.

Elon's 55 points were its most against a CAA opponent since joining the league in 2014 and matched its season high set against Davidson on September 6. The total tied for the Phoenix's highest output in a game since defeating Davidson 56-0 on September 5, 2009.

Top Performers

Landen Clark, Elon QB

- 10-of-24 passing, 231 yards, 4 TDs

- 14 rushes, 105 yards, 2 TDs

- Set single-season rushing TD record (11)

Isaiah Fuhrmann, Elon WR

- 5 receptions, 111 yards, 2 TDs

- Fourth 100-yard receiving game of season

Dan Frederick, Elon RB

- 17 rushes, 101 yards, 1 TD

- Career-high rushing yards

Kahmari Brown, Elon DL

- 8 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks

- 2 forced fumbles

- Tied school career sacks record (16.5)

Michael Carlock-Williams, N.C. A&T WR

- 2 receptions, 60 yards, 2 TDs

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

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

GREENSBORO – North Carolina A&T State University has found its new football leader in Shawn Gibbs, a familiar face returning to Aggieland to restore the program's winning tradition. The university's Director of Athletics Earl M. Hilton III announced Gibbs as the 23rd head coach in the program's history on Friday, marking a homecoming for a coach with deep roots in the Aggies' football legacy.

Gibbs, 49, brings an impressive coaching pedigree to the position, most recently leading Fort Valley State University to consecutive eight-win seasons and a Florida Beach Bowl victory in 2023. His return to NC A&T comes after an 11-year stint with the program where he played a crucial role in establishing the team's reputation as "Running Back U."

During his previous tenure with the Aggies, Gibbs was instrumental in the team's success, helping the program secure Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships in 2014, 2015, and from 2017-2019. He notably coached several standout players, including NFL star Tarik Cohen, who became the MEAC's all-time leading rusher and the only player in conference history to win offensive player of the year three times.

"It is a dream come true for me to accept the position as head football coach at North Carolina A&T State University," Gibbs said. "My family and I are thrilled to return home to Greensboro, a community with such a special place in our hearts."

The coaching position comes with significant challenges. Gibbs replaces Vincent Brown, who managed only two wins in two seasons, and is tasked with rebuilding the program's competitive edge. His track record suggests he's up to the challenge, having posted an impressive 22-9 record at Fort Valley State and demonstrating a talent for developing exceptional running backs.

Gibbs' coaching experience spans two decades, including notable stints at Grambling State University and his alma mater, North Carolina Central University. A standout running back in his own right, Gibbs rushed for 1,687 career yards during his playing days and holds his high school's rushing record with 4,655 yards.

An introductory press conference is scheduled for Wednesday, December 18, at 11:30 a.m. in the A&T campus Student Center, where fans and media will get their first comprehensive look at the program's new direction under Gibbs' leadership.

Hilton expressed confidence in the hiring, stating, "It is obvious he finds a way to get the best out of his players. Coach Gibbs understands the challenge ahead and has great enthusiasm and passion for North Carolina A&T."

As the Aggies look to reclaim their former glory, all eyes will be on Gibbs to see if he can translate his successful coaching history into a revival of the program's winning ways.

GREENSBORO – Sometimes, the path from player to coach is paved with unexpected challenges. For Vincent Brown, his two-year tenure as head coach of North Carolina A&T State University's football program ended Wednesday with a somber dismissal that reflects the unforgiving nature of collegiate athletics.

Brown's journey from NFL player to collegiate coach seemed promising. A Mississippi Valley State alumni and eight-year New England Patriots veteran, he brought a wealth of football experience to the Aggies. After six successful years as defensive coordinator at both Howard and William & Mary, expectations were high when he took the helm in Greensboro.

However, the on-field results told a different story. The 2023 season concluded with a challenging 1-10 record, and 2024 mirrored that struggle with a near-identical 1-11 performance. A winless 0-8 conference record in the Coastal Athletic Association for the second straight year sealed his fate.

Athletic Director Earl Hilton's statement was diplomatic, thanking Brown for his contributions and helping transition the program into the CAA Football Conference. Yet, the subtext was clear: performance matters.

Brown's story serves as a stark reminder of the razor-thin margin between success and failure in collegiate coaching. From NFL player to head coach to sudden unemployment, his journey underscores the unpredictable nature of sports leadership.

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.

Curtain, a junior safety and former Grimsley standout, was named the preseason defensive player of the year. After an impressive sophomore season where the Greensboro native led the Phoenix with eighty tackles and four interceptions, including a pick-six against Wake Forest in the season opener, Curtain is poised to lead a defense that gave up less than two hundred yards passing a game last season. Curtain was joined by his teammate, wide receiver and electric kick returner Chandler Brayboy, on the all-conference team. Other North Carolina-based players on the preseason all-conference team include Campbell’s CJ Tillman, North Carolina A&T’s Karon Prunty, and Mountain Island’s Elijah Burris, who plays running back for Hampton.

Villanova, which earned a share of the 2023 CAA Championship and reached the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs last season, was voted as the 2024 preseason favorite by the league’s head coaches. The Wildcats received nine of the available 16 first-place votes and totaled 217 points, while Richmond took second with one first-place tally and 189 points.

UAlbany garnered three first-place votes and finished third with 179 points, followed by William & Mary (175 points) and Delaware (163), which also picked up three first-place nods. Elon (157) was chosen sixth, followed by New Hampshire (150), Rhode Island (142), Towson (114), Monmouth (95), Campbell (83), Hampton (62), Maine (57), North Carolina A&T (49), Bryant (46) and Stony Brook (42).

2024 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

(Selected by a vote of Head Coaches)

OFFENSE

Connor Watkins, Villanova | Gr. | QB | Williamsport, Pa.

Elijah Burris, Hampton | Sr. | RB | Gastonia, N.C.

Griffin Woodell, UAlbany | So. | RB | Glens Falls, N.Y.

Marcus Yarns, Delaware | Gr. | RB | Salisbury, Md.

Bronson Yoder, William & Mary | Sr. | RB | Nappanee, Ind.

Trey McDonald, William & Mary | Jr. | FB/HB | Kinnelon, N.J.

Carter Runyon, Towson | Sr. | TE | Fairfax, Va.

Chandler Brayboy, Elon | Sr. | WR | Pembroke, N.C.

Nick DeGennaro, Richmond | Sr. | WR | Old Bridge, N.J.

Anthony Johnson, Stony Brook | So. | WR | Burlington, N.J.

Temi Ajirotutu, Villanova | Gr. | OL | Queens, N.Y.

Fintan Brose, Delaware | Gr. | OL | Irwin, Pa.

Charles Grant, William & Mary | Sr. | OL | Portsmouth, Va.

Ozzie Hutchinson, UAlbany | Gr. | OL | Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Will Marotta, UAlbany | Gr. | OL | Collegeville, Pa.

Ralph Paige, Jr., Towson | Sr. | OL | Washington, D.C.

DEFENSE

Jeremiah Grant, Richmond | Sr. | DL | South Orange, N.J.

Westley Neal, Jr., Rhode Island | Sr. | DL | Miami, Fla.

Michael Otty, Bryant | Sr. | DL | Brooklyn, N.Y.

Dylan Ruiz, New Hampshire | Sr. | DL | Orlando, Fla.

Josiah Silver, New Hampshire | Sr. | DL | Hampton, Va.

Brendan Bell, Villanova | Gr. | LB | Basking Ridge, N.J.

Shane Hartzell, Villanova | Jr. | LB | Perkasie, Pa.

A.J. Pena, Rhode Island | Jr. | LB | Branchburg, N.J.

CJ Tillman, Campbell | Sr. | LB | Rockingham, N.C.

Karon Prunty, North Carolina A&T | Jr. | CB | Portsmouth, Va.

Isas Waxter, Villanova | Gr. | CB | Newark, N.J.

Caleb Curtain, Elon | Jr. | S | Greensboro, N.C.

Ty Trinh, Villanova | Gr. | S | Owings Mills, Md.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Chandler Brayboy, Elon | Sr. | KR | Pembroke, N.C.

Gabe Sloat, Rhode Island | Sr. | PR | North Kingstown, R.I.

Keegan Vaughan, Towson | Sr. | PK | Richmond, Va.

Aaron Trusler, Richmond | Gr. | P | Melbourne, Australia

Jabril Hayes, Richmond | Sr. | SPEC | Stephens City, Va.

CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Connor Watkins, QB, Villanova

CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Caleb Curtain, S, Elon

HONORABLE MENTION: Matthew Downing, QB, Elon; Derek Robertson, QB, Monmouth; Malachi Imoh, RB, William & Mary; Marquis Buchanan, WR, Rhode Island; Joe Gillette, WR, Maine; Jaylan Sanchez, WR, Villanova; Logan Tomlinson, WR, New Hampshire; Cooper Heisey, TE, Maine; Ryan McKenna, OL, William & Mary; Dion Crews-Harris, DL, Towson; Cazeem Moore, DL, Elon; Wayne Galloway, LB, Richmond; Ryan Toscano, LB, New Hampshire; Tyron Herring, CB, Delaware; Marcus Barnes, S, William & Mary; JoJo Bermudez, KR, Delaware; TJ Speight, KR, Monmouth; VJ Wilkins, KR, Campbell; John Opalko, PK, UAlbany; Josh Cupitt, P, Delaware; Bobby Cleary, SPEC, Campbell

2024 CAA FOOTBALL PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

(Selected by a vote of Head Coaches)

1. Villanova (9 first-place votes) 217

2. Richmond (1) 189

3. UAlbany (3) 179

4. William & Mary 175

5. Delaware (3) 163

6. Elon 157

7. New Hampshire 150

8. Rhode Island 142

9. Towson 114

10. Monmouth 95

11. Campbell 83

12. Hampton 62

13. Maine 57

14. North Carolina A&T 49

15. Bryant 46

16. Stony Brook 42

CAA Football has rolled out its much-anticipated schedule for the 2024 season. For the first time since 2019, the season will span 13 weeks and include 12 games. Adding to the excitement, the CAA is expanding to include 16 teams, marking a first in the conference’s history. The latest addition to the roster is Bryant University.

The conference schedule is designed to include four home games and four away games for each team. Teams were paired with a preferred partner based on regional proximity, which played a crucial role in determining the remaining opponents. In an effort to cut costs, air travel has been limited, with most teams not having more than one flight during conference play.

The 2024 conference action is set to kick off with four games on Saturday, September 14. The opening day will see Maine hosting Monmouth, Campbell visiting Rhode Island, North Carolina A&T entertaining Delaware, and Towson traveling to Villanova. The following Saturday, September 21, will mark Bryant’s CAA debut at New Hampshire.

The non-conference schedule is equally thrilling, featuring 12 games against FBS opponents. This includes three games against the ACC, two against the Big Ten, two against the Big 12, and one against the SEC. Nine of these 12 teams participated in bowl games in 2023. It’s worth noting that CAA Football teams have secured 19 victories over FBS opponents since 2009.

The schedule also includes nine non-conference games against teams that reached the FCS playoffs in 2023. Among these are two playoff rematches, with Villanova hosting Youngstown State and UAlbany returning to Idaho. In the previous season, CAA teams held a strong 20-10 record against non-conference competition.

CAA Football’s impressive performance in the 2023 NCAA FCS playoffs saw four teams - UAlbany, Delaware, Richmond, and Villanova - receiving berths. This marked the 13th instance of at least four CAA teams being chosen for the playoffs. The conference has consistently had at least one team reach the quarterfinals every year since 1995 and has seen a team advance to the semifinals in 10 of the past 11 seasons.

Thursday, August 29
Bryant at Delaware (non-conference game)
Youngstown State at Villanova
North Carolina A&T at Wake Forest
New Hampshire at UCF
Monmouth at Eastern Washington
 
Friday, August 30
Elon at Duke
 
Saturday, August 31
LIU at UAlbany
Campbell at Liberty
Hampton vs. TBA
Colgate at Maine
Holy Cross at Rhode Island
Richmond at Virginia
Stony Brook at Marshall
Towson at Cincinnati
VMI at William & Mary
 
Saturday, September 7
UAlbany at West Virginia
Campbell at Western Carolina
Elon at North Carolina Central
Lafayette at Monmouth
Maine at Montana State
New Hampshire at Holy Cross
Rhode Island at Minnesota
Wofford at Richmond
Stonehill at Stony Brook
Morgan State at Towson
Villanova at Colgate
William & Mary at Coastal Carolina
Franklin Pierce at Bryant
Virginia Union at Hampton
Winston-Salem State at North Carolina A&T
 
Saturday, September 14
*Monmouth at Maine
*Campbell at Rhode Island
*Delaware at North Carolina A&T
*Towson at Villanova
William & Mary at Wofford
Western Carolina at Elon
Hampton at Norfolk State
Stonehill at New Hampshire
Charleston Southern at Richmond
Stony Brook at Fordham
UAlbany at Idaho
Holy Cross at Bryant
 
Saturday, September 21
*Bryant at New Hampshire
*Stony Brook at Campbell
Penn at Delaware
ETSU at Elon
Howard at Hampton
Maine at Merrimack
Monmouth at FIU
North Carolina A&T at North Carolina Central
Rhode Island at LIU
Richmond at Delaware State
Towson at North Dakota State
Villanova at Maryland
Furman at William & Mary
 
Saturday, September 28
*Maine at UAlbany
*Richmond at Elon
*Hampton at William & Mary
Delaware State at Campbell
Sacred Heart at Delaware
Fordham at Monmouth
North Carolina A&T at South Carolina State
Morgan State at Stony Brook
LIU at Villanova
 
Saturday, October 5
*Delaware at Monmouth
*Rhode Island at Hampton
*North Carolina A&T at Richmond
*Villanova at Stony Brook
*William & Mary at Towson
UAlbany at Cornell
Bryant at Brown
North Carolina Central at Campbell
New Hampshire at Harvard
 
Saturday, October 12
*UAlbany at Bryant
*Maine at Delaware
*New Hampshire at Elon
Towson at Norfolk State
Brown at Rhode Island
 
Saturday, October 19
*Campbell at William & Mary
*Villanova at Maine
*Hampton at North Carolina A&T
*Stony Brook at Towson
*Delaware at Richmond
*Rhode Island at New Hampshire
*Bryant at Monmouth
*Elon at UAlbany
 
Saturday, October 26
*UAlbany at Delaware
*Richmond at Bryant
*North Carolina A&T at Campbell
*Elon at Hampton
*Maine at Rhode Island
*Towson at Monmouth
*New Hampshire at Villanova
*William & Mary at Stony Brook
 
Saturday, November 2
*William & Mary at North Carolina A&T
*Villanova at Hampton
*Towson at Richmond
*Stony Brook at Bryant
*Monmouth at Rhode Island
*New Hampshire at UAlbany
*Campbell at Elon
Maine at Oklahoma
 
Saturday, November 9
*UAlbany at Stony Brook
*Bryant at Maine
*Richmond at Campbell
*Rhode Island at Delaware
*Elon at William & Mary
*Hampton at Towson
*Monmouth at New Hampshire
*North Carolina A&T at Villanova
 
Saturday, November 16
*Richmond at Hampton
*Villanova at Monmouth
*Maine at Elon
*North Carolina A&T at Towson
*UAlbany at Rhode Island
*Bryant at William & Mary
*Campbell at Delaware
*Stony Brook at New Hampshire

Saturday, November 23
*New Hampshire at Maine
*Delaware at Villanova
*William & Mary at Richmond
*Elon at North Carolina A&T
*Monmouth at Stony Brook
*Hampton at UAlbany
*Rhode Island at Bryant
*Towson at Campbell
 
*Denotes CAA Football game

ELON — Under the bright lights of Rhodes Stadium and in front of a roaring crowd of 11,257, the fifth-largest ever at the venue, the Elon University football team showcased an awe-inspiring ground game to secure a commanding 27-3 victory over in-state rival North Carolina A&T during its home opener on Saturday.

Elon's Ground Game Reigns Supreme

Elon (1-2, 1-0 CAA) unleashed an offensive onslaught on the ground, accumulating a staggering 260 rushing yards—a feat not matched since 2017 when they ran for 368 yards against Richmond. This impressive triumph marked the Phoenix's first win of the season and inaugurated their CAA campaign with a bang. On the flip side, North Carolina A&T (0-3 overall, 0-1 CAA) was left grappling with their third straight loss, unable to withstand Elon's ground assault.

Photo Credit: Peyton Williams/Tim Cowie Photography

Game Highlights

The Phoenix set the tone early, engineering a 10-play, 73-yard drive, culminating in a 26-yard touchdown connection from Matthew Downing to Jordan Bonner. It marked Bonner's second touchdown in as many games, showcasing his early-season prowess.

Elon's dominance continued late in the second quarter, with a lightning-fast three-play sequence. Jalen Hampton's remarkable 45-yard run set the stage for Wayne Dixie III to score his first career touchdown, putting the Phoenix ahead 17-0. Jack Berkowitz added a career-best 43-yard field goal just before halftime, pushing the lead to 17.

Elon's defense played a pivotal role in the opening half, forcing North Carolina A&T to punt on all six of its possessions, five of which were three-and-outs.

Berkowitz's reliable leg added another field goal in the third quarter, extending Elon's lead to 20-0. However, North Carolina A&T responded with a field goal of its own from Owen Daffer to break Elon's shutout bid.

A game-changing moment arrived courtesy of Elon's special teams late in the third quarter, as Kyle Romenick connected with true freshman DJ Hamilton on a fake punt, resulting in a spectacular 35-yard touchdown and a 27-3 advantage for the Phoenix.

Elon's defense maintained its dominance in the fourth quarter, shutting down North Carolina A&T's attempts to mount a comeback with a pair of turnover-on-downs situations.

BJ Turner led the Aggies with eleven tackles, giving the graduate transfer thirty-five so far through three weeks. Avarion Cole had an interception for the visiting team, but it was not enough to slow down an Elon offense that was 3-3 on fourth downs on the evening.

What's Next

Elon will embark on a short trip to Buies Creek for a Saturday night showdown with Campbell. Campbell, currently 2-1 on the season and 1-1 in CAA play, will host Elon in what promises to be an exciting matchup. North Carolina A&T is off next week before traveling to historic William "Dick" Price Stadium in Norfolk to take on Norfolk State on September 30.

The North Carolina Central Eagles and the North Carolina A&T Aggies are set to face off in a highly anticipated college football game tomorrow, Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 7:00 PM EST. The game will take place at Truist Stadium and will be broadcast on FloSports.

NC Central enters this game after a remarkable 10-2 season that saw them win the MEAC title, secure the HBCU national championship, and win the 2022 Celebration Bowl. They are ranked #18 in the nation and possess a strong lineup, including quarterback Davius Richard, the 2022 MEAC offensive player of the year. The Eagles have had a strong start to the season, with a rousing opening week victory against former CIAA for Winston-Salem State.

On the other hand, the North Carolina A&T Aggies dropped their first game against the UAB Blazers, an FBS squad from the American Athletic Conference. In the loss, the Aggies’ running attack was strong, with Kenji Christian, Wesley Graves, and Brickhandler averaging 5.6 yards per carry and 147 yards against a Group of Five conference team. Charlotte transfer BJ Turner made a game-high 14 tackles, marking his first career double-figure tackling game.

This showdown marks the 94th encounter between the Eagles and the Aggies. With the Aggies leading the series 53-35-5, it's a rivalry etched in football lore. In recent history, NC A&T has secured victories in 22 of the last 31 matchups, while NC Central has claimed eight of the most recent 16 contests.

The stage is set for an electrifying clash between two historic rivals. With a rich history, strong rosters, and passionate fan bases, this game promises to be a highlight of the season.

Other Big Games

Appalachian State at North Carolina: North Carolina and Appalachian State are facing off for the second straight season on Saturday at 5:15 on ACC Network. The Tar Heels was a 63-61 opening week barnburner in Boone last season and are looking to start their season 2-0 after an impressive win against South Carolina last week. A three-game series (two in Chapel Hill and one in Boone) comes to an end with Saturday's sold-out game. In addition to a sold-out crowd, App State's 34-31 triumph in 2019 included Kenan Stadium, and North Carolina’s 63-61 victory in Boone last year featured a record 40,168 spectators in Kidd Brewer Stadium. The final seconds of each of those games determined the winner. App State defeated FCS opponent Gardner-Webb 45-24 in their season opener. Joey Aguilar, who took over for injured quarterback Ryan Burger late in the first half, completed 11 of 13 passes for 174 yards and four touchdowns. On his first App State snap, he threw a touchdown pass. With the win over South Carolina, Mack Brown became the first head coach to win 100 games at two FBS schools. Kaimon Rucker was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week after his impressive performance against South Carolina leading a North Carolina defense that held South Carolina to -2 yards rushing.

Elon at Gardner-Webb: Gardner-Webb will play host to in-state foe Elon this Saturday at Spangler Stadium and broadcast on ESPN+. Elon currently holds the series advantage with a record of 22-11, with Gardner-Webb winning the first 11 games from 1970 through 1982. Since 2001, the two teams have split their past six matches 3-3. In the previous season, Gardner-Webb had a 24-20 lead against the Phoenix on the road, but Elon defeated the Runnin' Bulldogs 30-24 by holding Gardner-Webb without a goal in the second half. Gardner-Webb enters this week's match looking for its first win of the season after falling to FBS Appalachian State 45–24. Three catches for a career-high 67 yards, three touchdowns overall, and two running touchdowns were all recorded by Jayden Brown. After losing to ACC opponent Wake Forest 37-17, Elon also enters this game at 0-1. At halftime, the Phoenix was down 24-0, but by the start of the fourth quarter, the deficit had shrunk to 30-14. Caleb Curtain added one sack and returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown. Elon led the CAA with 34 total sacks last season when it sacked the Demon Deacons four times on Thursday.

Lenoir-Rhyne at Fayetteville State: The Lenoir-Rhyne Bears will face off against the Fayetteville State Broncos in a college football game on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the Luther Nick Jeralds Stadium in Fayetteville, N.C. This will be the first meeting between the two teams in the 104-year history of LR football. The Bears are hoping to move to 2-0 on the young season with a win over Fayetteville St. This would be their second time under Mike Jacobs and only their fifth 2-0 start this century. In week one, Lenoir-Rhyne dominated St. Augustine’s with a 45-7 victory. The defense held the Falcons to just three first downs and 52 total yards, while special teams scored two touchdowns.

Fayetteville St. was a controversial selection to the 2022 NCAA Division II Playoffs but were bested by Delta St. in the opening round. They opened their season with a loss to UNC Pembroke, accounting for just 258 total yards of offense and turning the ball over twice. Defensively, they held Pembroke to just 42 yards rushing but were gashed in the passing game. Kentrell Caldwell and Cameron Merrell were named to the preseason watch list for the HBCU football player of the year award and anchor one of the best defensive units in the region. FSU was predicted to finish first in the preseason CIAA coaches poll.

GREENSBORO – Bhayshul Tuten rushed for 235 yards and two touchdowns, helping North Carolina A&T erase an 18-point halftime deficit to defeat Campbell 45-38 on Saturday at Truist Stadium.

The Aggies moved to 5-3 on the year and 3-0 in Big South games, while Campbell suffered its first league loss, falling to 4-4 overall and 2-1 in conference play as the teams combined for 1,101 yards, 566 for A&T and 535 for CU.

Six of A&T’s touchdowns came on plays of 35 or more yards, including 70 and 42-yard runs from Tuten, who ran for 123 yards in the second half. 

Wesley Graves’ six-yard score gave the Aggies a 45-38 lead with 8:54 to play. 

The Camels scored touchdowns on their first four drives, all in the first quarter, with QB Hajj-Malik Williams running for two and passing for two more, pushing Campbell to a 28-10 lead. 

After a scoreless second quarter, A&T outscored the Camels 20-3 in the third. 

Williams passed for a school-record 426 yards, completing 31-of-47 passes and two touchdowns, adding two more rushing scores. 

Austin Hite hauled in four catches for 103 yards, a career-high, including a 68 touchdown grab in the second quarter. Chaney Fitzgerald made nine catches for 53 yards, while Bryant Barr and Julian Hill both registered three catches with 88 and 80 yards. Hill added a touchdown catch, also rushing for a score.

Jalen Fowler completed 12-of-21 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns for the Aggies, while Zachary Leslie made four catches for 124 yards and two TDs. 

CJ Tillman posted eight stops for the Camels, including 1.0 tackle for loss, while Josh Johnson added seven tackles with 1.0 TFL and a pass breakup. D’Marcus Harrington also notched an interception to go along with three tackles. 

Tywayne Williams led the A&T defense with eight tackles, while Jacob Roberts tallied a third-quarter pick-6, adding two tackles. 

UP NEXT

Campbell wraps up a three-game road stretch, heading to new Big South member Bryant on November 5. The Camels return home for their home finale on November 12 against Gardner-Webb for the 2022 North Carolina East/West Barbecue Bowl and Senior Day. North Carolina A&T continues a three-game homestand, hosting Norfolk State next Saturday at 12 p.m.

CHARLOTTE – Monmouth wide receiver Lonnie Moore IV (Sicklerville, N.J.) has been named the Big South Football Offensive Player of the Week, while North Carolina A&T linebacker Jacob Roberts (Charlotte, N.C.) is the Defensive Player of the Week for games played during Week 10 of the 2021 season.  Monmouth punter Ryan Kost (Newton. Conn.) is the Special Teams Player of the Week, and North Carolina A&T linebacker Tyquan King (Dillon, S.C.) is the Freshman of the Week.

Moore caught nine passes for 127 yards and three touchdowns and finished the day with 231 all-purpose yards in Monmouth’s 45-33 Big South win over North Alabama.  His first reception of the day was a 7-yard TD catch.  Moore added touchdown grabs of 17 and 14 yards, had a long of 33 yards, and gained 61 yards after the catch.  He also recorded a 10-yard run and returned four kickoffs for 94 yards in the victory.

Roberts notched 11 tackles (six solo, five assisted), 3.5 tackles-for-loss (-23 yards), and 3.0 sacks in helping the Aggies set a Big South single-game record with 11 quarterback sacks in A&T’s 21-18 win at Charleston Southern.  His final sack of the day was for an 11-yard loss as the Bucs approached midfield on their last drive.  Roberts was part of a defense that held CSU to just 147 yards of offense and minus-3 yards rushing.

Kost averaged 51.3 yards on three punts -- all of which landed inside the UNA 20-yard line, with two inside the 10.  He had punts of 51, 41, and 62 yards (career-long), with the 62-yarder being downed at the Lions’ 3-yard line.  North Alabama’s averaging starting field position after Kost’s punts was its own 10-yard line. 

In his first career start, King led the Aggies with 15 tackles (six solo, nine assisted) and recorded two quarterback sacks along with a QB hurry in North Carolina A&T’s 21-18 win at Charleston Southern.  Five of his stops came on gains of 2 yards or less, and he helped A&T hold the Bucs to 288 yards below their season average of 435.

Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Caleb Snead (Campbell), Jett Duffey (Hampton), and Xavier Shepherd (Kennesaw State).

Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Andy Matthews (Hampton), Tyler Moore (Kennesaw State), and Eddie Hahn (Monmouth).

Also nominated for Special Teams Player of the Week: Axel Perez (Hampton) and Nathan Robertson (Kennesaw State).

Also nominated for Freshman of the Week: CJ Tillman (Campbell), Willie Harris (Gardner-Webb), Romon Copeland (Hampton), Gabriel Benyard (Kennesaw State), and Jaden Shirden (Monmouth).

PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST-TEAM

Appalachian State

9/2 - vs ECU (Charlotte)

9/11 – at Miami

9/18 – Elon

9/25 – Marshall

Charlotte

9/4 – Duke

9/11 – Gardner-Webb

9/18 – at Georgia State

10/2 – at Illinois

Duke

9/4 – at Charlotte

9/18 – Northwestern

9/25 – Kansas

East Carolina

9/2 – vs App State (Charlotte)

9/11 – South Carolina

9/18 – at Marshall

9/25 – Charleston Southern

NC State

9/4 – South Florida

9/11 – at Mississippi State

9/18 – Furman

10/2 – Louisiana Tech

North Carolina

9/11 – Georgia State

9/25 – Wake Forest*

10/30 – at Notre Dame

11/20 – Wofford

Wake Forest

9/4 – Old Dominion

9/11 – Norfolk State

9/25 – UNC*

10/23 – at Army

Campbell

9/4 – at Liberty

9/11 – Elon

9/18 – Presbyterian

11/6 – at James Madison

Davidson

9/4 – at VMI

Elon

9/11 – at Campbell

9/18 – at Appalachian State

Gardner-Webb

9/4 – at Georgia Southern

9/11 – at Charlotte

9/25 – Western Carolina

NC A&T

9/4 – at Furman

9/11 – Charleston Southern

9/25 – NC Central

NCCU

9/11 – at Marshall

9/25 – at NC A&T

WCU

9/4 – Eastern Kentucky

9/11 – at Oklahoma

9/25 – at Gardner-Webb

NORFOLK, VA (MEACSports.com) – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference released its spring 2021 football schedule on Monday, a slate of games which reflect unique divisional scheduling due to some members opting out of playing in the spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conference’s spring football regular season will kick off on Feb. 20, 2021 and will conclude on April 3. An inaugural championship game will take place on April 17, the winner advancing to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs a week later.

With Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M both meeting the conference’s Nov. 16 opt-out deadline to not compete in spring football, the field of teams playing football in the spring was narrowed to seven teams – Delaware State, Howard, Morgan State and Norfolk State, which will comprise the MEAC’s Northern Division, and North Carolina A&T State, North Carolina Central and South Carolina State, which will compete in the Southern Division.

The new schedule approved by the MEAC’s athletics directors calls for the Northern Division teams to play four conference games within the division, including each institution playing one opponent twice. In the Southern Division, each of the three members will play each other twice, for a total of four games.

Teams from both divisions have open dates where they may choose to play non-conference games.

The Northern and Southern Division teams with the best records will square off for the MEAC championship on the campus of the team with the best conference record on April 17.

Spring 2021 MEAC Football Schedule

Saturday, February 20

Delaware State at Morgan State*

NC Central at SC State*

Norfolk State at Howard*

Saturday, February 27

SC State at North Carolina A&T*

Saturday, March 6

Howard at Delaware State*

NC Central at North Carolina A&T*

Norfolk State at Morgan State*

Saturday, March 20

Delaware State at Norfolk State*

Morgan State at Howard*

SC State at NC Central*

Saturday, March 27

North Carolina A&T at SC State*

Saturday, April 3

Howard at Norfolk State*

Morgan State at Delaware State*

North Carolina A&T at NC Central*

Saturday, April 10

Delaware at Delaware State

Saturday, April 17

MEAC Championship

*denotes conference game