GREENSBORO – North Carolina A&T gave its 100th homecoming celebration a memorable finish Saturday afternoon, rallying from a seven-point second-half deficit to defeat Elon 13-10 before 22,401 fans at Truist Stadium.

Asher Holland kicked a 34-yard field goal with 2:18 remaining to break a 10-10 tie, and the Aggies recovered an Elon fumble in the closing minute to preserve the victory in the centennial edition of the university's Greatest Homecoming on Earth.

The win improved North Carolina A&T to 4-5 overall and 3-2 in Coastal Athletic Association play, while Elon fell to 4-5 and 2-3 with its fourth consecutive loss. The Aggies also snapped a three-game losing streak against the Phoenix, earning their first victory in the series since joining the CAA in 2023.

For much of the afternoon, the celebration surrounding the game provided more excitement than either offense. The teams combined for just three points in the first half, and North Carolina A&T committed three turnovers that helped Elon build a 10-3 lead midway through the third quarter.

But the Aggies responded with their longest scoring drive of the game, then controlled the fourth quarter before delivering the decisive defensive play.

Quarterback Kevin White led North Carolina A&T with 97 rushing yards on 14 carries while completing 11 of 23 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. His mobility helped the Aggies generate 170 rushing yards and sustain possessions against an Elon defense that recorded three sacks.

North Carolina A&T trailed 10-3 after Elon capitalized on consecutive third-quarter turnovers. Tyler Owens recovered a muffed kickoff return to set up a 25-yard field goal by Luke Barnes, tying the game at 3-3. Moments later, Trey Woods recovered a White fumble at the Aggies' 27-yard line.

Elon quarterback Brady Stober connected with Zimere Winston for 23 yards on the next play, and freshman Kamerin McDowell-Moore eventually scored on a two-yard run on fourth-and-goal with 7:19 left in the third quarter.

Facing their largest deficit of the afternoon, the Aggies answered with a 12-play, 76-yard touchdown drive that consumed 6:48. White finished the possession with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Jayvonne Dillard with 31 seconds remaining in the quarter, pulling North Carolina A&T even at 10-10.

The Aggies continued to control possession in the fourth quarter, holding the ball for 9:46 of the final 15 minutes. After forcing an Elon punt, North Carolina A&T took over at its own 45-yard line with 6:40 remaining.

An eight-play, 38-yard drive moved the Aggies to the Elon 17, where Holland connected from 34 yards to give North Carolina A&T its first lead since halftime.

Elon still had an opportunity to spoil the homecoming celebration.

Starting at its own 18-yard line with 2:13 remaining, the Phoenix moved quickly into North Carolina A&T territory. Stober completed a 13-yard pass to Winston and a 36-yard connection to Alex Voss, while a pass interference penalty helped extend the possession.

But on third-and-six at the Aggies' 17-yard line, Stober was sacked and lost a fumble with 44 seconds remaining. Cadricus Stanley recovered for North Carolina A&T, allowing the Aggies to exhaust the remaining clock.

The final defensive stand capped an afternoon in which North Carolina A&T limited Elon to 201 total yards and nine first downs. The Aggies recorded four sacks, including one each from Kamari Blankumsee, Steven Davis II, Tyrek Brown and Travon Dye. Blankumsee finished with eight tackles, while Brown forced two fumbles.

Elon received another productive performance from McDowell-Moore, who rushed for 102 yards on 25 carries and scored the Phoenix's only touchdown. The freshman surpassed 100 rushing yards for the fifth consecutive game and sixth time this season.

North Carolina A&T finished with 264 total yards, including 50 rushing yards from J.T. Smith. The Aggies converted eight of 16 third-down opportunities, compared with Elon's three conversions in 15 attempts.

Holland accounted for seven of North Carolina A&T's 13 points, connecting on both field goal attempts and his lone extra point. His first field goal, a 25-yarder with 21 seconds remaining in the second quarter, provided the only scoring of the first half.

The victory gave North Carolina A&T a winning conference record with three games remaining in the regular season. More immediately, it ensured that the Aggies' 100th homecoming would be remembered for a fourth-quarter comeback and a defensive stop that protected a three-point lead.

DURHAM – NC Central held off a late North Carolina A&T comeback attempt Saturday, defeating the Aggies 30-22 in the latest chapter of the Aggie-Eagle Classic at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham.

The Eagles controlled much of the game behind a powerful rushing attack and a big performance from running back Plez Lawrence, who rushed for 210 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. Lawrence broke loose for a 73-yard touchdown in the second quarter and added two other rushing scores as NC Central built a 30-14 advantage through three quarters.

North Carolina A&T, however, refused to go quietly.

The Aggies scored with 4:20 remaining in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to eight points and then got the ball back with 2:01 left. Kevin White moved the offense deep into NC Central territory, but the Eagles defense came up with the final play it needed when Jakarri Martin II intercepted White with five seconds remaining.

The victory moved NC Central to 2-1 on the season, while North Carolina A&T fell to 0-3.

NC Central established control early.

After North Carolina A&T deferred the opening kickoff, the Eagles put together a 75-yard touchdown drive on their first possession. Nelson Layne connected with Mehki Wall for a 27-yard touchdown with 10:34 remaining in the first quarter. Riley Daniels added the extra point to give NC Central a 7-0 lead.

The Eagles added to the lead later in the quarter when Daniels converted a 37-yard field goal with 5:04 remaining, making it 10-0.

Lawrence then became the centerpiece of the NC Central offense.

After North Carolina A&T turned the ball over on a fumble in the second quarter, the Eagles needed only two plays to reach the end zone. Lawrence finished the short drive with a 14-yard touchdown run, although Daniels missed the extra point. NC Central led 16-0 with seven minutes remaining in the first half.

North Carolina A&T finally found its offense on the next possession.

White connected with Elijah Kennedy for a 51-yard touchdown with 4:33 left in the second quarter. Kennedy got behind the defense for the long touchdown, and Asher Holland converted the extra point to bring the Aggies within 16-7.

NC Central answered immediately.

The Eagles started their next possession at their own 21-yard line and appeared to have little room to work with. Instead, Lawrence broke through for a 73-yard touchdown run that pushed the lead back to 23-7 with 1:23 remaining before halftime.

North Carolina A&T responded once again.

White found Kennedy for a second touchdown just before halftime, this time on a 2-yard pass with eight seconds remaining. Holland's extra point made the score 23-14 at the break.

The Aggies had momentum going into halftime, but NC Central's defense and Lawrence's running continued to shape the game in the third quarter.

North Carolina A&T fumbled again early in the second half, giving NC Central possession at the Aggies' 45-yard line. The Eagles turned the short field into another touchdown drive, with Lawrence scoring on a 1-yard run with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter.

That touchdown completed Lawrence's three-score afternoon and gave NC Central a 30-14 lead.

North Carolina A&T struggled to sustain drives for much of the third quarter. The Aggies managed only 42 yards of offense in the period and turned the ball over on an interception during one possession.

Still, the game was not finished.

The Aggies opened the fourth quarter by stopping NC Central on fourth down at the North Carolina A&T 36-yard line. The defense gave White and the offense another opportunity, but the Aggies could not immediately turn the turnover on downs into points.

NC Central later reached the North Carolina A&T 36-yard line, but the Eagles also failed to convert on fourth down when Layne's pass fell incomplete.

That gave the Aggies another chance, and North Carolina A&T finally capitalized late in the quarter.

White led a 35-yard drive that began at the NC Central 35-yard line. After converting a fourth-and-2 earlier in the game-winning drive, the Aggies continued moving the ball into the red zone. White eventually found Anthony Rucker for a 6-yard touchdown with 4:20 remaining.

North Carolina A&T then made the decision to go for two, and White completed the conversion pass to Mark Tillman. The successful try cut NC Central's lead to 30-22.

The Eagles could not put the game away on their next possession.

NC Central gained only six yards before punting with 2:01 remaining, giving North Carolina A&T one final opportunity.

White went to work.

The Aggies started at their own 35-yard line and moved across midfield with a series of short completions and scrambles. White converted a third-and-3 with a 3-yard completion to Kennedy, then connected with Rory Jones-Amen-Hetep for six yards and Kennedy for another 14 to move the ball to the NC Central 35-yard line.

White added two scrambles, including a 6-yard run that moved the Aggies to the NC Central 24.

With 20 seconds remaining, White found Jones-Amen-Hetep for 21 yards, taking North Carolina A&T to the Eagles' 3-yard line.

NC Central called timeout with 20 seconds left.

White's next pass fell incomplete. On the following play, a 2-yard completion to Rucker was wiped out by a North Carolina A&T pass interference penalty, moving the Aggies back to the 13-yard line.

That left North Carolina A&T with one final opportunity.

With five seconds remaining, White dropped back and threw toward Michael Carlock-Williams. Eagles defensive back Jakarri Martin II stepped in front of the pass, ending the Aggies' comeback attempt and securing the 30-22 victory for NC Central.

White finished the game 21-of-44 passing for 259 yards and three touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions. Kennedy was his leading target, finishing with seven catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Rory Jones-Amen-Hetep added four catches for 41 yards.

NC Central's offense finished with 369 total yards, including 223 rushing yards. Lawrence accounted for nearly all of the Eagles' rushing production, while Layne completed 13 of 19 passes for 146 yards and one touchdown.

The Eagles also forced three North Carolina A&T turnovers, including two fumbles and two interceptions, while recording two takeaways through the air. The Aggies finished with 361 total yards and 19 first downs but could not overcome the early deficit.

For NC Central, the victory added another memorable result to one of North Carolina's biggest HBCU football rivalries.

For North Carolina A&T, the late rally showed how close the Aggies came to turning the game around. They scored eight points in the fourth quarter and drove 52 yards in the final two minutes, reaching the NC Central 3-yard line before the Eagles defense made the final play.

In the latest Aggie-Eagle Classic, NC Central had the answer when it mattered most.

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