HICKORY – Wingate erased a 14-3 halftime deficit to beat Lenoir-Rhyne 20-17 on Saturday at Moretz Stadium, winning on Gunnar Hilsinger’s 25-yard field goal with 1:27 left and sealing it when Anthony Dangerfield intercepted a pass with 51 seconds to play.

The Bulldogs improved to 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the South Atlantic Conference. The Bears fell to 3-5 and 2-4.

Hilsinger’s kick capped a 13-play, 77-yard drive that began at the Wingate 15 and used 5:52, right after Lenoir-Rhyne tied the game. Brooks Brien kept it moving with his arm and his legs: a 6-yard completion to Kayden Bash on third-and-5, a 34-yard throw to Xavier Jackson to the Lenoir-Rhyne 25, and a 5-yard run on third-and-4. Jason Willis gained 7 on third-and-11 to set up the kick.

The Bears got the ball back at their 30 with 1:19 left. Elijah Evans sacked Wells Bettenhausen, the next pass fell incomplete, and on third-and-10 Dangerfield picked him off. Brien took a knee to end it.

Wingate’s defense controlled the second half, sacking Bettenhausen six times, five of them in the fourth quarter, and holding the Bears to 51 net rushing yards. Evans had two sacks, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble that Geviaunta Walker recovered. Tyson Brown added two sacks. Dangerfield finished with nine tackles and two pass breakups to go with the interception.

The Bulldogs had to climb out of a hole partly of their own making. Hilsinger’s first field goal, ending a 13-play, 72-yard drive, made it 3-0 in the first quarter. After Bryson Steele intercepted Bettenhausen, Brien’s 23-yard throw to Jackson set up first-and-goal at the 7, but Wingate came away empty, turned over on downs at the 4.

Lenoir-Rhyne then scored twice in less than five minutes late in the second quarter. Carson Spoonts, in for a snap in place of Bettenhausen, threw a 48-yard touchdown to Tye Roberson with 6:35 left in the half. Brodie Bradburn intercepted Brien and returned it 43 yards to the Wingate 15, and LJ Turner scored from 5 yards out with 1:51 left. RJ de Madet picked off Brien again before the break.

Wingate opened the second half with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that Willis finished with a 9-yard touchdown run. After Daniel Deneen Jr. missed a 45-yard field goal for Lenoir-Rhyne, Brien found Damonte James for a 51-yard touchdown on third-and-11 with 1:17 left in the third quarter, putting the Bulldogs up 17-14. Deneen had also missed from 34 yards in the first quarter, and the two misses left six points off the board.

The Bears tied it in the fourth, and the drive could have gone differently. An offside penalty on Wingate during a punt gave Lenoir-Rhyne a first down, Mikel McClellan caught a 35-yard pass, and Spoonts ran 18 yards for what appeared to be a touchdown until a holding penalty brought it back. Bettenhausen was sacked on the next play, and Cole Allbaugh kicked a 37-yard field goal with 7:26 left to make it 17-17.

Wingate outgained Lenoir-Rhyne 398-284 and converted 10 of 17 third downs to the Bears’ 4 of 13. Brien threw for 247 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions and added 26 rushing yards. Jackson had five catches for 108 yards, and Willis ran for 90 yards. For Lenoir-Rhyne, Bettenhausen threw for 185 yards with two interceptions, Jarrod Mewborn and McClellan combined for 12 catches and 146 yards, Turner ran for 47 yards and a touchdown, and Christian Santana had 12 tackles. The Bears turned the ball over three times to Wingate’s two.

“Very disappointing,” Lenoir-Rhyne coach Doug Socha said. “This is a game that comes down to one score. We had bad penalties, turnovers, and not good enough in critical moments. It starts with me and we will all stay focused on improving.”

Each of Lenoir-Rhyne’s five straight losses to Wingate has come by four points or fewer. The Bears still lead the all-time series 24-18.

Photo Credit: Campbell Athletics

Trailing 24-20, Towson marched 67 yards to the Campbell 8-yard line before Zaydaan Faridi's 26-yard field-goal attempt struck the right upright with 14:50 remaining. The missed opportunity proved costly as the Tigers managed just 46 yards on their final three possessions.

Towson's last chance began at the Campbell 45 with 3:02 remaining, but the Camels forced a turnover on downs at their own 29-yard line to preserve the victory.

The decisive stretch followed a third quarter featuring three lead changes and Campbell's most important defensive play of the afternoon.

Safety Kaleb Simpkins intercepted Towson quarterback Jacob Davis on the first play from scrimmage after halftime, giving the Camels possession at the Tigers' 42-yard line.

Sixkiller capitalized three plays later, connecting with Jyron Waiters on a 22-yard touchdown pass to put Campbell ahead 17-13.

Towson responded with an 11-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Davis' 1-yard touchdown run, to regain the lead at 20-17 with 8:34 remaining in the third quarter.

Campbell answered immediately, covering 71 yards in eight plays before Thomas scored from a yard out to put the Camels ahead for good with 4:54 left in the period.

It was Thomas' second touchdown of the afternoon and his third consecutive game with multiple rushing scores. He finished with 28 yards on seven carries.

The teams had traded scores during a competitive first half. Campbell opened with a 21-yard field goal from Alex Crabb before Towson took a 7-3 lead on Xavier Pugh's 1-yard touchdown run.

Thomas answered with a 13-yard scoring run late in the first quarter, but Davis found CJ Schaeffer for a 2-yard touchdown pass with 1:41 remaining before halftime to give the Tigers a 13-10 advantage.

Towson accumulated 282 first-half yards, including 120 rushing, before Campbell's defense limited the Tigers to 160 yards after intermission.

O'Marion Lewis led the Camels with a season-high 13 tackles and a pass breakup, while Simpkins added 10 tackles and his crucial interception. Jordan Jones contributed seven stops.

Sixkiller completed 20 of 30 passes for 224 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Chinua Ezeigbo led Campbell's receivers with five catches for 68 yards, while Waiters added three receptions for 43 yards.

Davis paced Towson with 257 passing yards and 40 rushing yards, accounting for two touchdowns. Pugh rushed for 75 yards and a score, while Cleveland Charlton caught six passes for 88 yards.

Campbell's victory was its sixth against FCS competition this season, establishing a new program record. The Camels previously reached six overall wins in 2011, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Now 3-0 in conference play, Campbell will look to continue its historic start when it travels to Maine on October 24 before visiting UAlbany the following week.

PHILADELPHIA – Six consecutive losses to start the season had left Charlotte searching for answers. On Saturday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field, the 49ers finally found them in an offense that refused to stop scoring and a defense that delivered when the game was on the line.

Quarterback Conner Harrell accounted for four touchdowns, Henry Rutledge rushed for a career-high 123 yards, and Charlotte scored 31 second-half points to defeat Temple 38-31, giving the 49ers their first victory of the season.

The win was also a milestone for head coach Tim Albin, who earned his first American Conference victory and his first win over an FBS opponent since taking over the Charlotte program.

The 49ers (1-6, 1-2 American) entered the afternoon having struggled to sustain offensive production throughout the season. Against Temple (2-5, 1-2), they generated 449 total yards, scored five touchdowns and punted just once.

"It's a big win for our program, on the road," Albin said. "Our team showed grit, that's the word that comes to mind in so many areas."

That resilience was particularly evident during a second half in which Temple repeatedly answered Charlotte touchdowns, only for the 49ers to respond with another scoring drive.

Harrell, making his second consecutive start, completed 23 of 31 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He also scored twice on designed quarterback runs, including a 10-yard touchdown with 8:40 remaining that put Charlotte ahead for good.

Rutledge provided the foundation for the offensive performance, gaining 123 yards on 17 carries, including a 48-yard run that helped set up a fourth-quarter touchdown. It was his second 100-yard rushing performance in three games.

A defensive stand keeps Charlotte within reach

Charlotte showed signs of improvement immediately, forcing Temple to punt on its opening possession before marching 67 yards for a touchdown.

Harrell connected with tight end Brody Dawyot for a 29-yard gain to the Temple 1-yard line, setting up Khamani Alexander's short touchdown run. It was the first time Charlotte had scored on its opening possession since the 2024 season.

Temple answered with a 21-yard touchdown run by Keveun Mason, tying the game at 7-7.

The 49ers had opportunities to regain control during the second quarter, but a missed 45-yard field goal and a failed fourth-down conversion left points on the field.

Temple eventually moved ahead when quarterback Ajani Sheppard scored on a 7-yard run with 1:38 remaining before halftime.

The Owls appeared positioned to extend their lead moments later when Rutledge lost a fumble, giving Temple possession at the Charlotte 2-yard line.

Instead, the 49ers produced one of their most important defensive sequences of the season.

Charlotte stopped Temple on four consecutive plays, preserving a manageable 14-7 halftime deficit despite an offense that had gone scoreless since its opening possession.

Albin pointed to that stand as evidence of his team's determination.

"We have a turnover and, you know, OK, well here it comes again," Albin said during his postgame press conference. "And we did not do that. We didn't flinch."

The stop proved especially important because Charlotte would receive the second-half kickoff.

Harrell ignites second-half turnaround

The 49ers wasted little time erasing the deficit.

Harrell directed a six-play, 73-yard touchdown drive to open the third quarter, completing passes to Dawyot and Jaden Barnes before finding Derrick Eley for a 24-yard touchdown.

The score tied the game at 14-14 and marked the first time since 2022 that Charlotte had scored touchdowns on its opening possessions of both halves.

Following another defensive stop, Harrell led a seven-play, 68-yard drive that ended with his 8-yard touchdown run, giving Charlotte a 21-14 advantage.

Temple responded almost immediately.

Sheppard broke free for a 44-yard touchdown run, completing a two-play, 75-yard possession that tied the game at 21-21 with 6:26 remaining in the third quarter.

But Charlotte's offense continued to find answers.

After the teams exchanged punts, Rutledge broke loose for a 48-yard gain that helped set up another scoring opportunity. Harrell capped the 78-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Gus McGee early in the fourth quarter.

The touchdown was McGee's second career scoring reception and his first catch since Charlotte's season opener against The Citadel.

The 49ers led 28-21, but Temple again refused to go away.

Sheppard connected with Peter Clarke on a 4-yard touchdown pass with 11:04 remaining, producing the game's fourth tie.

Charlotte's response came on another efficient possession.

Harrell found Barnes for a 21-yard gain, and Temple committed two personal fouls on the play, advancing the ball to the Owls' 10-yard line.

Harrell finished the drive himself, scoring on another quarterback draw to give Charlotte a 35-28 lead with 8:40 remaining.

The 49ers had scored touchdowns on four of their first five second-half possessions.

Defense and special teams finish the job

Charlotte still needed its defense to protect the lead against a Temple offense that finished with 455 total yards.

The Owls moved into Charlotte territory on their ensuing possession, but defensive lineman DJ Burgess delivered a critical fourth-down sack to return possession to the 49ers.

Charlotte then moved into field-goal range, where freshman kicker Aiden Bui faced an opportunity to provide some breathing room.

Bui, handling placekicking duties for the first time in his college career, had missed a 45-yard attempt earlier in the game.

This time, he connected from 47 yards with 1:48 remaining, extending Charlotte's lead to 38-28.

The kick capped an impressive debut in which Bui also converted all five of his extra-point attempts.

Temple mounted one final scoring drive, covering 65 yards in just one minute before Carl Hardin kicked a 28-yard field goal with 48 seconds remaining.

The Owls attempted an onside kick, but Charlotte recovered and ran out the remaining time to secure its first victory.

The defensive performance was far from flawless, but the 49ers made several critical stops despite allowing more than 450 yards.

Collin Gill and Kadin Schmitz led Charlotte with eight tackles apiece, while Dylon Womack and Gavin Willis each recorded seven. The 49ers finished with two sacks and five tackles for loss.

A breakthrough for Charlotte's offense

The victory featured several career-best performances from Charlotte's young offensive contributors.

Eley led the receiving corps with six catches for 96 yards and a touchdown, setting career highs in both receptions and receiving yards.

Dawyot also established career highs with four catches for 60 yards, while Barnes added five receptions for 53 yards. Jaylen Hampton contributed three catches for 57 yards.

Rutledge's performance was particularly significant. In addition to his 123 rushing yards, he returned three kickoffs for 75 yards and finished with 189 all-purpose yards.

Charlotte averaged 6.5 yards per offensive play and converted six of its 10 third-down opportunities.

Albin credited the offensive line with providing Harrell cleaner protection, particularly during the second half.

"It's probably the cleanest pocket game we've had in my time," Albin said.

The Charlotte coach also praised Harrell's response to coaching adjustments after halftime, noting that the quarterback improved his pocket positioning and delivered throws more effectively as the game progressed.

For Temple, Sheppard provided much of the offensive production, completing 15 of 23 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown while adding 70 rushing yards and two scores.

Clarke led the Owls with five receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown, while Mason contributed 64 rushing yards and a score.

Despite those performances, Temple could not produce the defensive stops necessary to slow Charlotte's second-half surge.

A win to build upon

Charlotte's victory was its 49th in program history and its first conference road win under Albin.

The 49ers scored their most points against an FBS opponent in two seasons, while their 31 second-half points tied for the eighth-highest scoring half in school history.

For a program that entered the weekend winless, the performance offered tangible evidence of progress.

Albin emphasized that the victory should serve as a starting point rather than a conclusion.

"We got a road win in our league, and we're going to build off of it," he said.

Charlotte now enters an open week with an opportunity to recover, correct mistakes and build on the momentum of a breakthrough performance.

CONWAY, SC – A disastrous finish to the first half left Appalachian State trailing by 10 points Friday night at Coastal Carolina. But with Henry Hasselbeck taking control of the offense and Jaquari Lewis finding the end zone four times, the Mountaineers turned a frustrating evening into a much-needed Sun Belt Conference victory.

Lewis rushed for 85 yards and four touchdowns, while Hasselbeck accounted for 237 yards of total offense as App State rallied for a 35-32 victory at Brooks Stadium, snapping a four-game losing streak against the Chanticleers.

The Mountaineers (4-2, 1-1 Sun Belt) trailed 24-14 at halftime before scoring 21 unanswered points to seize control of the game. Coastal Carolina (2-5, 1-2) pulled within three points late in the fourth quarter, but App State's rushing attack delivered the final first downs needed to preserve the win.

"We made some nice adjustments and manned them up a lot more than playing all those zones," App State head coach Dowell Loggains said of the defensive turnaround. "We just made a stronger commitment, you know, to the run game."

That commitment produced 253 rushing yards and helped the Mountaineers finish with 516 yards of total offense.

Hasselbeck, who split first-half quarterback duties with injured starter Malachi Singleton before playing the entire second half, rushed for 125 yards on 21 carries. His performance ranks second among App State quarterbacks in the program's FBS era, just one yard shy of Taylor Lamb's 126-yard outing against Toledo in the 2016 Camellia Bowl.

Hasselbeck also completed 9 of 12 passes for 112 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown to Sam Pickett III that extended App State's lead to 35-24 with 6:41 remaining.

The touchdown capped a remarkable offensive reversal after the Mountaineers failed to score during the second quarter.

Coastal Carolina had taken control with 17 unanswered points before halftime, including a 58-yard field goal by Nico Cavanillas Alti as time expired. The kick followed a costly App State possession in which the Mountaineers reached the Coastal 1-yard line before a chop-block penalty and a fumbled snap by Singleton erased the scoring opportunity.

Instead of potentially tying the game, App State entered the locker room facing its largest deficit of the night.

Loggains acknowledged that the sequence required more than tactical adjustments.

"If you want to be the team we want to be, you can't find ways to lose a game," Loggains said. "In that scenario, we found a way to lose the half."

The Mountaineers responded by leaning on their offensive line, their quarterback's mobility and Lewis' ability to finish drives.

After both teams opened the third quarter with punts, Hasselbeck directed a nine-play, 74-yard touchdown drive. Lewis capped the possession with a 12-yard run, cutting Coastal's lead to 24-21 with 7:59 remaining in the period.

App State's defense then supplied the game's pivotal turnover.

Safety Devin Henderson intercepted Coastal quarterback Deuce Bailey, giving the Mountaineers possession near midfield. Henderson had dropped a potential interception one play earlier but immediately capitalized on his second opportunity.

"I feel like it was a game changer play," Henderson said afterward.

The offense made the turnover count, covering 58 yards in 10 plays. Hasselbeck and J'Marion Burnette helped move the ball on the ground before Lewis scored from 3 yards out to give App State a 28-24 lead with 2:20 remaining in the third quarter.

It was Lewis' fourth rushing touchdown of the night, placing him among a small group of Mountaineers to accomplish the feat in the program's FBS era.

Only Cam Peoples and Daetrich Harrington had previously scored at least four rushing touchdowns in an FBS game for App State. Peoples holds the program's FBS single-game record with five against North Texas in the 2020 Myrtle Beach Bowl.

Lewis credited the offensive line for creating the opportunities.

"All week I preached to O-line, just get me the hole open and I'm going to make sure they're satisfied," Lewis said.

While the offense found its rhythm, App State's defense began limiting the explosive plays that had fueled Coastal Carolina's first-half success.

The Chanticleers had scored on their opening possession when Bailey connected with Tristian Gardner for a 21-yard touchdown. After App State answered with two Lewis touchdowns to take a 14-7 lead, Bailey found Robby Washington for a 71-yard score early in the second quarter.

Bailey later threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Ben Verges, giving Coastal a 21-14 advantage before the long field goal extended the margin.

The Coastal quarterback finished with 298 passing yards and three touchdowns, but App State held the Chanticleers scoreless in the third quarter.

Loggains said the defensive improvement came after a first half in which the Mountaineers surrendered too many big plays.

"I don't think we played well enough on defense," he said. "We played just well enough to win the game, but gave away too many yards, way too many explosive plays."

App State's offense provided some breathing room midway through the fourth quarter.

Following a Coastal punt, Hasselbeck needed only four plays to move the Mountaineers 69 yards. He opened the possession with a 17-yard completion to Pickett, then helped set up the touchdown with a 12-yard run.

On the scoring play, Hasselbeck connected with Pickett for a 31-yard touchdown, the quarterback's first career touchdown pass.

Hasselbeck said the offense had emphasized getting the ball to its playmakers during halftime.

"We told him in the locker room at halftime like, 'Hey, we're going to come to you,'" Hasselbeck said of Pickett. "That moment, it was Sam Pickett's time to shine."

Pickett finished with five receptions for 78 yards, while Singleton completed 12 of 14 passes for 151 yards before giving way to Hasselbeck for the second half.

Coastal Carolina refused to go quietly.

Bailey led a 75-yard touchdown drive that ended with Jaden Allen-Hendrix scoring on a 2-yard run with 3:11 remaining. A successful two-point conversion pass to Dominic Lee-Knicely brought the Chanticleers within 35-32.

But Coastal never got the ball back.

Hasselbeck opened App State's final possession with an 11-yard run, and Lewis followed with a 16-yard gain. The Mountaineers eventually faced third-and-1 at the Coastal 39, where Lewis gained 2 yards to secure the first down and allow App State to run out the clock.

The victory ended App State's three-game losing streak at Brooks Stadium and marked its first win over Coastal Carolina since 2021.

For the Mountaineers, the performance offered evidence of an offense capable of controlling games on the ground, even with uncertainty surrounding its starting quarterback.

For Hasselbeck, the opportunity to take over in the second half came with confidence in the players around him.

"A strong part of it is trust," he said. "We got as many guys in that locker room and I trust all of them and I know they trust me."

App State will have little time to celebrate. The Mountaineers return to Boone for a Thursday night Sun Belt matchup against James Madison, with the game scheduled to air nationally on ESPNU.

BIRMINGHAM, AL – East Carolina spent most of Thursday night looking like a team headed for its fourth consecutive victory. Instead, the Pirates watched an eight-point lead disappear in the final 35 seconds of regulation before UAB completed a stunning comeback with a 30-17 overtime victory at Protective Stadium.

The Pirates (3-3, 1-1 American) led 17-9 with less than two minutes remaining and had pinned the Blazers at their own 7-yard line. But UAB quarterback Ryder Burton engineered a 93-yard touchdown drive in just 62 seconds, then ran for the tying two-point conversion to force overtime.

UAB (4-3, 2-1) took its first lead of the night on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Burton to Roderick Robinson II in overtime. East Carolina's opportunity to answer ended when Delvon Gulley intercepted Emory Williams and returned the ball 80 yards for a touchdown, completing a 21-point unanswered scoring run.

The dramatic finish spoiled an otherwise strong defensive performance by East Carolina, which held UAB without a touchdown for more than 59 minutes and limited the Blazers to 99 rushing yards.

"We hadn't let them in the end zone all day," ECU head coach Blake Harrell said afterward. "You've got to make them go 90 yards with just a little over a minute to go. The defense needs to go win the game there and we just couldn't get the plays made that we need to make."

East Carolina appeared firmly in control early, scoring touchdowns on two of its first three possessions while its defense overwhelmed the UAB offense.

Williams directed a 13-play, 75-yard opening drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Ray Ray Joseph Jr. The Pirates converted four third downs during the possession and consumed nearly five minutes before taking a 7-0 lead.

ECU extended its advantage early in the second quarter on an unusual scoring play. Williams completed a pass to Ismael Smith Flores, who fumbled near the goal line after being hit by UAB defender Jo Pierce. Freshman Dawson Quarterman recovered the loose ball in the end zone for his first career touchdown, giving the Pirates a 14-0 advantage.

The Pirates' defense controlled much of the first half, holding UAB without a first down throughout the opening quarter for the second consecutive game. The Blazers managed just 91 yards before halftime, while ECU recorded eight tackles for loss and three sacks.

UAB finally broke through with a 41-yard field goal from Jonah Delange midway through the second quarter, trimming East Carolina's halftime lead to 14-3.

The momentum gradually shifted after intermission.

Delange connected from 26 and 50 yards in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 14-9 as East Carolina's offense struggled to sustain the early success that had produced its two touchdowns.

The Pirates answered with a 13-play, 50-yard possession that ended with Noah Perez's career-long 43-yard field goal with 9:24 remaining. The kick pushed ECU's lead to 17-9, forcing UAB to score a touchdown and two-point conversion just to tie.

East Carolina's defense then forced a turnover on downs with 5:34 remaining. The Pirates used nearly four minutes on their ensuing possession before a 33-yard pooch punt by Perez left UAB facing a long field with only 1:37 on the clock.

The Blazers were backed up even farther by a penalty, but Burton found his rhythm against a defense that had frustrated him throughout the night.

He eventually connected with Braylon McReynolds on a 17-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds remaining. Burton followed with a successful quarterback keeper on the two-point conversion, erasing East Carolina's lead and sending the game into overtime.

Burton finished 19-of-37 passing for a career-high 262 yards and two touchdowns. CJ Smith was his primary target, catching eight passes for 119 yards.

East Carolina's offense, meanwhile, never regained its first-quarter efficiency.

Williams completed 18 of 27 passes for 126 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The Pirates finished with 317 total yards, including 191 on the ground, but scored only three points after taking their 14-0 lead.

Running back TJ Engleman Jr. provided much of the offensive production, rushing for 104 yards on a career-high 26 carries. It marked his third consecutive 100-yard performance, making him the first ECU player to accomplish that feat since Keaton Mitchell in 2022.

"It's a tough one to take," Engleman said. "I feel like we had so many opportunities to score. We've just got to clean stuff up man, bring the guys together. We've just got to go score at the end of the day."

The Pirates finished with 10 tackles for loss, marking their fourth consecutive game reaching double figures in that category. Ashton Levells-Mitchell led ECU with six tackles, while Preston Carr, J.D. Lampley and Josh Benton each recorded a sack.

UAB's defense also made several important contributions. Pierce finished with a game-high 16 tackles, while Muaaz Byard added 15. The Blazers forced three ECU fumbles, recovering one, before Gulley's interception ended the game.

For East Carolina, the loss represented a missed opportunity to build momentum in American Conference play. The Pirates held the lead for virtually the entire night, controlled possession for more than 34 minutes and outgained UAB on the ground by 92 yards.

But those advantages were not enough to overcome an offense that stalled after its fast start and a defense that could not deliver one final stop.

UAB, which trailed by 14 points early and never led during regulation, emerged with a victory that ended a seven-game losing streak against the Pirates.

WINGATE- Wingate's defense left little room for Tusculum to operate Saturday afternoon, holding the Pioneers to just five first downs and 122 yards of total offense as the Bulldogs claimed a 31-14 South Atlantic Conference victory at Irwin Belk Stadium.

The Bulldogs (3-4, 3-2 SAC) controlled the game statistically, outgaining Tusculum 384-122 while holding possession for more than 37 minutes. Wingate allowed just 50 rushing yards on 34 attempts and limited the Pioneers to three completions in nine passing attempts.

Tusculum (3-4, 2-3 SAC) managed only 2.8 yards per offensive play and failed to score an offensive touchdown in the second half.

The defensive performance helped Wingate overcome three turnovers, including a third-quarter fumble returned for a touchdown that briefly reduced the Bulldogs' lead to three points.

Wingate's offense was led by Jayshawn Appling, who rushed for 109 yards on 16 carries. Quarterback Brooks Brien completed 15 of 25 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Aaron Griffin and Xavier Jackson for scores.

The Bulldogs established an early advantage after Geviaunta Walker forced and recovered a fumble on Tusculum's opening possession, giving Wingate the ball at the Pioneers' 42-yard line.

Photo Credit: Wingate Athletics

Five plays later, Brien connected with Griffin for a 28-yard touchdown, putting Wingate ahead 7-0 with 9:25 remaining in the first quarter.

The Bulldogs extended their lead early in the second quarter when Brien found Jackson for a 21-yard touchdown, completing a 12-play, 85-yard drive that consumed more than seven minutes.

Tusculum answered with its most productive offensive possession of the afternoon. Quarterback Tedros Gleaton connected with Ashton Hagans for a 54-yard touchdown with 1:49 remaining before halftime, cutting the deficit to 14-7.

Wingate responded with a 10-play, 53-yard drive, including a 21-yard fourth-down completion from Brien to Tanner Mays. Gunnar Hilsinger converted a 33-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Bulldogs into halftime ahead 17-7.

The Pioneers threatened to reverse the game's momentum early in the third quarter.

After intercepting Brien on Wingate's opening second-half possession, Tusculum recovered a Bulldogs fumble on the next drive. Judah Knight returned the loose ball 20 yards for a touchdown, narrowing the margin to 17-14 with 11:49 remaining in the period.

Despite the sudden shift, Wingate's defense prevented Tusculum from capitalizing further.

The Bulldogs eventually answered with a nine-play, 85-yard touchdown drive late in the third quarter. Brien connected with Griffin for 38 yards and Kelson Tate for 16 yards before Ethan Wallace scored on a two-yard run with 20 seconds remaining, extending the lead to 24-14.

Wingate's defense continued to dominate in the fourth quarter. Chris Harris recorded a third-down sack that forced another Tusculum punt, and the Bulldogs added their final touchdown with 2:55 remaining.

Appling broke loose for a 49-yard run but fumbled near the goal line. Teammate Zymill Patterson recovered the ball in the end zone, pushing Wingate's advantage to 31-14.

Griffin finished with five receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown, while Jackson added four catches for 71 yards and a score. Wallace contributed 49 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Harris and Elijah Manning led Wingate with eight tackles apiece. Harris added two tackles for loss and a sack, while Tyson Brown and GW Clemmer recorded seven tackles each.

Tusculum's offense finished with only five first downs, compared with 20 for Wingate, and converted just four of 14 third-down opportunities.

The Bulldogs' ability to control possession and limit Tusculum's offensive production proved decisive, allowing Wingate to withstand its turnover problems and secure its third conference victory.

GREENSBORO – North Carolina A&T freshman kicker Asher Holland had already missed two opportunities Saturday afternoon. When the Aggies needed him one final time, he delivered.

Holland connected on a 34-yard field goal in overtime to lift A&T past New Hampshire, 30-27, at a rainy Truist Stadium, completing a remarkable comeback that included three fourth-down conversions and a touchdown as regulation expired.

The victory improved A&T to 2-5 overall and 2-2 in Coastal Athletic Association play, giving the Aggies consecutive home victories for the first time since 2022.

Trailing 27-21 with 1:40 remaining, A&T took possession at its own 25-yard line. Quarterback Kevin White directed a 16-play, 75-yard drive, repeatedly keeping the Aggies alive on fourth down.

White first connected with Michael Carlock-Williams for 12 yards on fourth-and-eight, then found Elijah Kennedy for five yards on fourth-and-four. Facing another fourth down as time expired, White delivered a 19-yard touchdown pass to Kennedy, tying the game at 27.

Holland missed the potential winning extra point to the right, sending the contest into overtime.

New Hampshire received the opening possession of the extra period and advanced to the A&T 13-yard line before Kamari Blankumsee sacked quarterback Brooks Bentley on third down. Lucas Glassburn subsequently missed a 29-yard field goal, giving the Aggies an opportunity to win.

A&T advanced to the Wildcats' 16-yard line before Holland returned to the field and converted the decisive kick.

"I'm glad I was able to do it for my team," Holland said afterward.

The dramatic finish followed a back-and-forth afternoon in which neither team led by more than seven points.

New Hampshire struck first after a blocked A&T punt, with Joquez Smith scoring on a two-yard run. The Aggies answered on White's nine-yard touchdown pass to Amonte Jones, tying the game at 7-7.

A&T took a 14-7 lead in the second quarter on J.T. Smith's one-yard touchdown run, but Bentley immediately responded with a 75-yard scoring pass to Logan Perez.

White connected with Carlock-Williams for a 32-yard touchdown later in the quarter, sending the Aggies into halftime ahead 21-17 after a late New Hampshire field goal.

The Wildcats took control in the second half. Holland missed a 31-yard field goal in the third quarter, and Bentley subsequently found Perez for a 21-yard touchdown to put New Hampshire ahead 24-21.

Glassburn extended the advantage to 27-21 with a 26-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter, setting up A&T's improbable final drive.

White finished 18-of-35 passing for 230 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. His performance moved him into eighth place on A&T's career passing list with 3,531 yards and 10th in career touchdown passes with 21.

Carlock-Williams recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game, finishing with five catches for 129 yards and a touchdown. Kennedy added six receptions for 55 yards and the tying score, while Shimique Blizzard led the rushing attack with 72 yards on six carries.

Defensively, Terry Radford registered 17 tackles, the most by an Aggie since BJ Turner's 19-tackle performance against Norfolk State in 2023. A&T recorded five sacks and limited New Hampshire to 93 rushing yards.

Bentley finished with 267 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Perez caught eight passes for 136 yards and both scores.

The victory continued A&T's improved play following its September 19 loss at Campbell. The Aggies have since defeated nationally ranked Rhode Island, suffered a one-point loss at Bryant and now secured another conference victory.

A&T returns to Truist Stadium next Saturday to host Chicago State at noon.

RALEIGH – For 30 minutes Saturday afternoon, NC State appeared positioned to defend its home field against one of its oldest rivals. By the time the fourth quarter arrived, Wake Forest had turned a four-point halftime deficit into a 17-point advantage and taken complete control of the game.

Behind quarterback Gio Lopez and a defense that shut out the Wolfpack in the second half, Wake Forest scored 31 unanswered points to defeat NC State 38-14 at Carter-Finley Stadium in this week's Carolina Gridiron Old North State Showdown.

The Demon Deacons (5-1, 3-1 ACC) trailed 14-10 at halftime before scoring touchdowns on their first four possessions of the second half. Wake Forest outgained NC State 265-63 over the final two quarters, turning what had been a competitive rivalry matchup into a decisive road victory.

Lopez completed 26 of 33 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns while adding a one-yard scoring run. He finished the game with 13 consecutive completions, accounting for 184 passing yards during that stretch.

His primary targets were Jack Foley and Carlos Hernandez, who combined for 20 receptions, 273 yards and two touchdowns. Foley established a career high with 156 yards on eight catches, while Hernandez set a career high with 12 receptions for 117 yards.

It marked the first time Wake Forest had two receivers surpass 100 yards in the same game since A.T. Perry and Jaquarii Roberson accomplished the feat against North Carolina on November 6, 2021.

A Rivalry Game That Changed After Halftime

NC State (3-3, 1-2 ACC) recovered from a disastrous opening possession to control much of the first half.

The Wolfpack lost a fumble on their third offensive play when Wake Forest linebacker Vincent Firenze stripped quarterback CJ Bailey. Defensive back Braylon Johnson recovered the ball and returned it 28 yards to the NC State two-yard line.

Two plays later, Lopez connected with tight end Matthew Lusardi for a one-yard touchdown, giving the Demon Deacons a 7-0 lead just 1:57 into the game. It was Lusardi's first career reception and touchdown.

NC State responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive, tying the game on Bailey's 24-yard touchdown pass to Chance Robinson with 8:17 remaining in the first quarter.

The Wolfpack then produced their longest scoring possession of the afternoon, marching 96 yards in 13 plays after taking over at their own four-yard line. Will Wilson capped the drive with a two-yard jump pass to Hunter Provience, whose one-handed touchdown reception gave NC State a 14-7 advantage with 9:42 remaining in the second quarter.

Wake Forest threatened late in the half, moving 89 yards in 16 plays, but the Wolfpack defense held near the goal line. Connor Calvert converted a 23-yard field goal as time expired, sending NC State into halftime with a 14-10 lead.

The Wolfpack had limited Wake Forest to 122 total yards in the opening half, while Bailey had completed his first 16 passes.

Those advantages disappeared quickly after intermission.

Wake Forest opened the third quarter with an 11-play, 73-yard touchdown drive. Hernandez caught four passes for 54 yards during the possession, including a six-yard touchdown reception that put the Demon Deacons ahead 17-14 with 10:44 remaining in the period.

After forcing NC State's first three-and-out of the afternoon, Wake Forest needed only four plays to travel 64 yards. Foley accounted for 63 yards on the possession, finishing it with a 10-yard touchdown reception from Lopez to extend the lead to 24-14.

The Wolfpack subsequently advanced to the Wake Forest 32-yard line but failed to convert on fourth down. The Demon Deacons capitalized again, driving 68 yards before Lopez scored from one yard out on fourth-and-goal.

Wake Forest had scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter alone, transforming a 14-10 halftime deficit into a 31-14 advantage.

The Demon Deacons added another touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Deuce Lawrence scored on a 17-yard run, completing a seven-play, 66-yard possession and pushing the lead to 38-14 with 11:24 remaining.

NC State never answered.

Wake Forest's Defense Takes Over

While Lopez and his receivers provided the offensive production, Wake Forest's second-half defense was equally decisive.

NC State managed just 63 yards after halftime and finished the game with only 15 net rushing yards on 24 attempts. The Wolfpack averaged 0.6 yards per carry and surrendered three sacks for 37 yards in losses.

Wake Forest defensive lineman Langston Hardy recorded eight tackles, including two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Firenze also finished with eight tackles to accompany his first-quarter forced fumble.

The Demon Deacons held NC State to two conversions on nine third-down attempts in the second half after the Wolfpack had converted four of six before halftime.

Bailey finished 28-of-39 passing for 241 yards and a touchdown, but NC State's inability to establish a rushing attack left the offense increasingly dependent on the passing game.

The Wolfpack entered the matchup without three starting offensive linemen and leading running back Duke Scott because of injuries.

Keenan Jackson led NC State with five receptions for 61 yards, while Robinson caught three passes for 53 yards and a touchdown. Preston Douglas added five receptions for 45 yards.

Linebacker Popo Aguirre led all defenders with 12 tackles, including one for loss. Freshman Ziggy Moore contributed nine tackles, while fellow freshman Elijah Satchell recorded NC State's lone sack.

Bailey also reached a career milestone, increasing his passing total to 7,025 yards and moving past Devin Leary into sixth place on NC State's all-time list.

Road Success Continues for the Demon Deacons

Saturday's victory was Wake Forest's third road win over a Power Four opponent this season, following a 38-36 double-overtime victory at Purdue on September 12 and a 30-27 win at No. 16 Louisville on September 26.

The Demon Deacons have scored at least 30 points in all three victories, strengthening their position in the ACC race under second-year head coach Jake Dickert.

For NC State, the defeat marked its first home loss of the season and its second loss in three conference games. The Wolfpack still lead the all-time series 70-44-6, but Saturday's result belonged emphatically to the visitors.

Wake Forest will travel to California next Saturday for its first meeting with Cal, while NC State will return to action Friday, October 23, at Stanford.

PITTSBURGH, PA – North Carolina needed just 11 seconds to erase a fourth-quarter deficit Saturday, but it was the Tar Heels' defense that made sure the lead would stand.

Billy Edwards Jr. connected with Shamar Easter on a 75-yard touchdown pass with 12:36 remaining, and North Carolina turned away Pitt's final four possessions to knock off the 25th-ranked Panthers, 21-17, at Acrisure Stadium.

The victory marked North Carolina's first win over a ranked opponent in three seasons and its first road triumph against a Top 25 team since defeating No. 9 Miami in 2020. It was also the first victory over a ranked opponent for head coach Bill Belichick, whose Tar Heels improved to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play.

Pitt (5-1, 2-1) suffered its first defeat despite controlling much of the game statistically. The Panthers outgained North Carolina 369-269, held a 150-20 advantage in rushing yards and possessed the football for more than 36 minutes.

North Carolina, however, made the most of its opportunities, scoring three touchdowns while holding Pitt to just one touchdown over the final three quarters.

The Panthers appeared to have regained control early in the fourth quarter when La'Vell Wright capped a seven-play, 75-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. The score put Pitt ahead 17-14 with 12:47 remaining.

That advantage lasted exactly 11 seconds.

On the first play of North Carolina's ensuing possession, Edwards found Easter for a 75-yard touchdown that put the Tar Heels back in front for good. It was Easter's only reception of the afternoon.

The North Carolina defense handled the rest.

After forcing a punt on Pitt's next possession, the Tar Heels faced another challenge when Edwards was intercepted by Shadarian Harrison with 6:21 remaining. The turnover gave Pitt possession at the North Carolina 41-yard line, but the Panthers advanced only to the 21 before turning the ball over on downs.

Pitt received two more opportunities in the closing minutes, but both possessions ended with failed fourth-down attempts. The Panthers finished 0-for-4 on fourth down, with three of those failures coming in the final quarter.

The defensive stand completed a second-half turnaround for a North Carolina unit that had struggled to contain Pitt's rushing attack before halftime.

The Panthers rushed for 114 yards in the opening two quarters but managed just 36 yards on the ground after the break. Pitt also converted six of nine third downs in the first half before going just 1-for-7 in the second.

Derek McDonald and Xavier Lewis led the Tar Heels with 12 tackles apiece, while Gregory Smith III added eight tackles and an interception. Tre Miller also intercepted a pass and recorded four tackles.

North Carolina's offense had difficulty establishing a running game throughout the afternoon. The Tar Heels managed only 20 yards on 25 rushing attempts, including three sacks of Edwards for 23 yards in losses.

Edwards nevertheless provided the necessary production through the air, completing 18 of 26 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns, although he was intercepted twice.

Jordan Shipp led North Carolina with six receptions for 93 yards, while Jelani Thurman added six catches for 29 yards and a touchdown.

Pitt established an early advantage behind its running game, marching 75 yards in 12 plays on the opening possession. Wright finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown run to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead.

Antonio Chadha extended the margin to 10-0 with a 41-yard field goal midway through the second quarter.

North Carolina answered on its next possession, needing only five plays to cover 75 yards. Edwards opened the drive with a 49-yard completion to Shipp before connecting with Thurman for a seven-yard touchdown that cut the deficit to 10-7.

Pitt had an opportunity to add to its lead before halftime, but Chadha's 56-yard field goal attempt fell short with 17 seconds remaining.

The third quarter featured a series of turnovers as neither offense could establish much rhythm early in the half.

Cole Woodson intercepted Edwards on North Carolina's opening possession, setting Pitt up at the Tar Heel 31-yard line. Smith III answered with an interception in the end zone, preventing the Panthers from capitalizing on the favorable field position.

Miller later added another interception for North Carolina, but the Tar Heels were unable to turn that takeaway into points.

North Carolina finally broke through late in the third quarter with a 10-play, 51-yard touchdown drive. Demon June scored from one yard out with 22 seconds remaining in the period, giving the Tar Heels their first lead at 14-10.

Pitt responded with Wright's second touchdown on the ensuing possession, setting up Easter's decisive scoring play.

Wright finished with 45 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. Damon Ferguson Jr. led Pitt's rushing attack with 49 yards on 15 attempts.

Making his first collegiate start, Pitt quarterback Holden Geriner completed 27 of 44 passes for 219 yards with two interceptions. Carson Kent led the Panthers with seven receptions for 61 yards, while Malik Knight contributed three catches for 62 yards.

Despite its substantial advantages in yardage, first downs and possession time, Pitt was unable to turn those numbers into a victory. The Panthers reached the red zone twice and scored touchdowns on both trips, but their final three possessions ended without points.

North Carolina will remain on the road next Saturday when it visits Duke on October 17. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

BREVARD – Three Brevard running backs surpassed 100 yards Saturday afternoon.

Belhaven's entire offense finished with two rushing yards.

That disparity told much of the story as Brevard opened USA South play with a dominant 51-8 victory over the Blazers at Ives-Lemel Family Field, keeping the Tornados unbeaten at 4-0.

Brevard rushed for 336 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 9.3 yards per carry. On the other side, a swarming Tornado defense recorded eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss while limiting Belhaven to 155 total yards.

Marvin Reed Jr. set the tone.

After a penalty backed Brevard up on its opening possession, the Tornados drove 94 yards in eight plays. Reed finished it by breaking loose for a 38-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

Belhaven twice threatened to answer in the first quarter, but came away empty both times. Brevard stopped the Blazers on fourth-and-one at the Tornado 28, then DJ Stevenson intercepted Ian Burleson inside the Brevard red zone later in the period.

The game remained 7-0 until late in the second quarter, when Brevard began to pull away.

Reed scored on a 33-yard run with 3:31 remaining, and the defense quickly forced Belhaven to punt from its own end zone. Brevard took over at the Blazers' 49 and needed only five plays to score again, with Reed punching it in from five yards out with 37 seconds left.

His third touchdown sent the Tornados into halftime ahead 21-0.

Brevard's defense had allowed just 56 yards in the half.

The Tornados continued to separate themselves after the break. Christian Conley capped an 11-play drive with a six-yard touchdown pass to Herbert Pringle IV, pushing the lead to 28-0.

Belhaven then drove into Brevard territory, but consecutive sacks by the Tornado defense ended the threat on downs.

Two plays later, Zion Fauntleroy-McDaniel raced 58 yards for another touchdown.

Belhaven finally broke through when Matthew Dial connected with Wyatt Locastro for an 18-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Johnathan Lampkin caught the two-point conversion to make it 35-8.

Any momentum lasted 20 seconds.

On Brevard's next offensive snap, King Faison broke an 83-yard touchdown run.

Then the Tornado defense joined the scoring.

Azian-Antonio Simpson-Santiago tackled Julien Tabor in the end zone for a safety less than a minute later. On Belhaven's next punt, Cruz Wilson muffed the ball near his own goal line and DeShawn Allen recovered it in the end zone for another Brevard touchdown.

In less than three-and-a-half minutes of the fourth quarter, the score had gone from 35-8 to 51-8.

The rushing numbers were remarkable.

Fauntleroy-McDaniel led Brevard with 118 yards on seven carries, Reed finished with 103 yards and three touchdowns on 11 attempts, and Faison added 101 yards on nine carries. Together, the trio averaged more than 11 yards per attempt. Conley complemented the ground game by completing 17-of-24 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown.

Brevard's defense was just as disruptive. The Tornados produced 13 tackles for loss totaling 101 yards and eight sacks for 83 yards. Simpson-Santiago recorded three tackles for loss, while Stevenson added his interception.

The result sent Brevard to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in USA South play.

More importantly, the Tornados opened conference play by demonstrating they could dominate a game on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

DURHAM – Campbell spent much of Saturday night building a lead at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. North Carolina Central spent the third quarter erasing it.

Then, with the game tied and the rain continuing to fall, the Fighting Camels found one final answer.

Kamden Sixkiller connected with Jyron Waiters for a nine-yard touchdown with 7:28 remaining, breaking a 31-31 tie and lifting No. 18/24 Campbell to a 38-31 victory over NC Central.

The win improved Campbell to 5-1, while Central fell to 2-4.

The night began about as well as the Eagles could have hoped.

On Campbell's opening possession, Sixkiller was intercepted by Cameron Williams, who returned the ball 19 yards. One play later, Nelson Layne raced 16 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 Central lead.

Campbell answered with Sixkiller's one-yard touchdown run, but Layne struck again, scoring from three yards out to put NCCU back ahead 14-7.

From there, the first quarter belonged to Campbell.

DeJuan Thomas broke loose for a 32-yard touchdown to tie the game, Alex Crabb connected on a 41-yard field goal and JJ Cowan scored from three yards out with 38 seconds remaining. The Camels emerged from a frantic opening quarter with a 24-14 advantage.

Thomas added his second touchdown, a four-yard run, early in the second quarter to stretch Campbell's run to 24 unanswered points and the lead to 31-14.

Central found a spark before halftime after turning to Cobey Thompkins at quarterback. Thompkins completed all four of his passes for 70 yards on the drive, including a 23-yard touchdown to Tristan Stitt with 2:28 remaining, sending the Eagles to the locker room trailing 31-21.

Then the game changed again.

Central controlled the third quarter while Campbell's offense went scoreless. Riley Daniels' 47-yard field goal cut the deficit to seven before Zion Dobson ripped off a 62-yard touchdown run with 6:31 remaining in the quarter.

In less than nine minutes, the Eagles had erased Campbell's 10-point halftime advantage and tied the game at 31.

Campbell finally regained control in the fourth.

Sixkiller directed an 11-play, 56-yard drive before finding Waiters for the nine-yard go-ahead touchdown with 7:28 remaining. The Camels' defense made the lead stand, including a fourth-down stop of Layne on a quarterback keeper during Central's fourth-quarter attempt to regain the advantage.

For a Campbell offense that entered the game with Sixkiller among the nation's most productive passers, it was the ground game that did much of the damage.

The Camels rushed for 262 yards and four touchdowns. Cowan carried 14 times for 139 yards, including a 66-yard run, while Thomas added 89 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Sixkiller finished 18-of-35 for 226 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Central countered with 160 rushing yards, led by Dobson's 80 yards on 13 carries and Layne's 59 yards and two touchdowns. Chance Peterson caught 10 passes for 84 yards, while Stitt finished with three receptions for 58 yards and a score.

Campbell finished with 488 yards of offense to Central's 359 and held a 262-160 advantage on the ground. The Camels also possessed the ball for 32:02. Both teams converted 7-of-14 third downs.

The Eagles had done the difficult part, wiping away a 17-point deficit and turning what had threatened to become a Campbell runaway into a fourth-quarter tie.

But after Central scored 17 unanswered points, Campbell produced the game's final answer.

Sixkiller found Waiters, the defense held, and the nationally ranked Camels left Durham with their fifth victory of the season.

MARS HILL – Mars Hill needed a late comeback, a 52-yard field goal, a defensive stand at the end of regulation and four overtimes Saturday afternoon.

In the end, the Lions remained unbeaten.

Lukas Kachilo connected with Rayvon Durant on the decisive two-point conversion in the fourth overtime as No. 21 Mars Hill outlasted Tusculum 42-40 at Meares Stadium, improving to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in South Atlantic Conference play.

The victory left Mars Hill alone atop the SAC standings, but getting there required the Lions to erase a 31-21 deficit in the final 3:09 of regulation.

Kachilo started the comeback with a 61-yard touchdown pass to Greyson Council, cutting Tusculum's lead to 31-28. After the Mars Hill defense got the ball back, Matthias Newsome drilled a 52-yard field goal with 1:12 remaining to tie the game at 31.

Tusculum still had an opportunity to win in regulation.

The Pioneers moved to the Mars Hill 36 before quarterback Tedros Gleaton took a shot at the end zone. Ashton Hagans had a chance at the catch, but Jah'Mere La'Sane broke up the pass and sent the game to overtime.

That was when an already dramatic finish became chaotic.

Mars Hill got the ball first in overtime, and after two incompletions Kachilo found Brayden Marvel for a 25-yard touchdown. Newsome's extra point put the Lions ahead 38-31.

Tusculum answered immediately, scoring on its first play when Gleaton connected with Cam Ferguson for a 25-yard touchdown. The Pioneers then elected to go for two and appeared to have won when Gleaton found Brady Rinkus in the end zone.

An offensive pass interference penalty erased the conversion.

Backed up by the penalty, Tusculum settled for Max Turan's extra point and a 38-38 tie.

Neither team scored in the second overtime. Mars Hill stopped Gleaton inches short on fourth-and-two, giving the Lions an opportunity to win with any score. The Lions moved to the Tusculum 18, but Newsome's field-goal attempt went wide right.

Under the NCAA overtime format, the teams moved to alternating two-point attempts from there.

Kachilo found Jaden Watkins to give Mars Hill a 40-38 advantage in the third overtime. Tusculum answered on a broken play, with Gleaton recovering his own fumble before finding Zion Job in the end zone to extend the game.

In the fourth overtime, the Mars Hill defense finally created the opening it needed. Gleaton's pass fell incomplete on Tusculum's attempt.

Kachilo then ended it, finding Durant for the winning conversion and setting off a celebration for an unbeaten Mars Hill team that had been three minutes from its first loss.

The dramatic finish capped a big afternoon for Kachilo, who completed 23 of 44 passes for 324 yards and four touchdowns. He was intercepted once and sacked four times, but delivered when Mars Hill needed him most.

The Lions needed that production on an afternoon when Tusculum did something few opponents had managed against the Mars Hill defense.

The Pioneers accumulated 478 yards, including 285 on the ground, against a Lions unit that entered the afternoon allowing just 7.3 points per game and had not surrendered a rushing touchdown this season. Gleaton accounted for 299 yards of offense and four touchdowns, while Javon McMahan rushed for 123 yards.

Tusculum also controlled the football for nearly 40 minutes and forced three Mars Hill turnovers. The Pioneers finished with 21 first downs to Mars Hill's 17, while the Lions converted 7-of-15 third-down opportunities.

But Mars Hill made the plays it needed when the game was on the line.

Jamarion Farrior led the defense with 14 tackles, including two for loss, and recovered a fumble. La'Sane's breakup kept the Lions alive at the end of regulation. Newsome's 52-yarder got them to overtime.

And after nearly everything that could happen in overtime did, Kachilo and Durant finished it.

Mars Hill left Meares Stadium 5-0, alone atop the SAC and still unbeaten, by the narrowest of margins.

CHAPEL HILL – For 35 seconds of game time Saturday, North Carolina completely changed the complexion of its matchup with No. 3 Notre Dame.

The Tar Heels scored just before halftime and returned the second-half kickoff 98 yards for another touchdown, turning a 14-point deficit into a one-point game.

Notre Dame's response proved decisive.

The Fighting Irish answered with a 17-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that consumed 9:10, then increasingly turned to their running game as the rain intensified at Kenan Stadium. Notre Dame eventually pulled away for a 37-26 victory, dropping North Carolina to 2-2.

UNC had opened the afternoon much the way it would later open the second half. After forcing a punt, the Tar Heels drove 74 yards in seven plays, with Billy Edwards Jr. finding Shamar Easter for a six-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

But the game changed quickly.

CJ Carr answered with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Faison before Edwards threw interceptions on consecutive possessions. On the first, Notre Dame defensive end Boubacar Traore hit Edwards as he released the ball, allowing Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa to intercept the pass at the UNC 12.

One play later, Carr found Jaden Greathouse for a touchdown. Luke Talich intercepted Edwards on UNC's next possession, and Carr connected with Faison for a 39-yard score early in the second quarter.

In a span of just over six minutes, a 7-0 UNC lead had become a 21-7 deficit. 

The Tar Heels' offense had stalled after its opening drive, producing fewer than 20 yards on its next three possessions, but UNC finally found life just before halftime. Edwards completed 7-of-8 passes for 77 yards during a 15-play, 97-yard drive, finishing it with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Jelani Thurman with 21 seconds remaining.

Then came another jolt.

Jaden Jefferson took the second-half kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, giving UNC two touchdowns in 35 seconds of game time. A botched snap prevented the extra point, leaving Notre Dame ahead 21-20.

The Irish responded by taking the game back on the ground.

Notre Dame ran 13 times for 73 yards on its ensuing 17-play drive, converting twice on fourth down before Carr's three-yard touchdown run. The possession consumed more than nine minutes and left UNC's offense watching from the sideline for most of the third quarter.

Notre Dame continued leaning on the run as conditions deteriorated. The Irish eventually accumulated 241 rushing yards, including 166 after halftime, while UNC managed only 77 for the game. Jonaz Walton led the way with 120 yards on 23 carries. 

Carr's six-yard touchdown pass to Nolan James Jr. early in the fourth extended the lead to 34-20, and Spencer Porath's 31-yard field goal made it 37-20.

UNC produced one final scoring drive, with Edwards finding Thurman for a 10-yard touchdown with 2:36 remaining. Notre Dame blocked the extra point, and the Tar Heels got no closer.

Edwards finished 17-of-28 for 208 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Jordan Shipp caught seven passes for 109 yards, while Thurman finished with five receptions for 50 yards and two scores. Carr went 21-of-29 for 234 yards and four touchdowns, with Faison catching eight passes for 132 yards and two scores. 

Notre Dame finished with a 475-285 advantage in total offense and held the ball for 37:04. 

For UNC, the frustrating part was how close the Tar Heels came to changing the game. They erased almost the entirety of a 21-7 deficit in 35 seconds surrounding halftime.

Then Notre Dame took the ball and, for more than nine minutes, wouldn't give it back.

CHARLOTTE – Charlotte’s Homecoming Saturday started earlier than expected and ended with Memphis firmly in control.

With kickoff moved to 11 a.m. because of impending inclement weather, Memphis scored 24 unanswered points in the first half before pulling away for a 59-8 win over Charlotte at Jerry Richardson Stadium.

The Tigers did most of their damage through the air early. After both teams punted on their opening possessions, Memphis quarterback Marcus Stokes connected with Jermane Hayes for a 93-yard touchdown with 10:25 remaining in the first quarter.

Stokes added a 25-yard touchdown pass to Jemyri Davis later in the quarter and found Hunter Tipton from 28 yards out early in the second. Philippe Laforge's 20-yard field goal as time expired sent Memphis into halftime with a 24-0 advantage. 

Heavy rain arrived around halftime and continued through much of the second half, but Charlotte briefly found a spark immediately after the break.

On the first play from scrimmage of the third quarter, Henry Rutledge broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run. Cole Gonzales then connected with Lane Wadle for the two-point conversion, cutting the Memphis lead to 24-8.

It was Charlotte's only score.

Memphis answered with 35 consecutive points. Stokes threw a 19-yard touchdown to Braylon Burnside and later connected with Tipton for a 24-yard score. Dallan Hayden added an eight-yard touchdown run to make it 45-8 entering the fourth quarter. Air Noland threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Brady Kluse in the final period before Jordan Thompson's one-yard run completed the scoring. 

Stokes finished 20-of-25 for 318 yards and five touchdowns without an interception. Hayes caught six passes for 123 yards, while Tipton had three catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns. Memphis finished with 674 yards of total offense, including 386 through the air and 288 on the ground. 

Charlotte, meanwhile, struggled to sustain possessions. The 49ers finished with 209 total yards, with Rutledge's 75-yard touchdown accounting for more than a third of that production. He finished with 111 yards on six carries. Gonzales went 6-of-14 for 73 yards with an interception, while Jaylen White completed one of two attempts for four yards. 

The disparity was especially pronounced on third down. Charlotte converted just 1-of-10 opportunities, compared with 10-of-16 for Memphis. The Tigers ran 89 plays to Charlotte's 40 and held the ball for 36:52. Charlotte also lost three of its four fumbles. 

Charlotte coach Tim Albin said afterward that the 49ers needed to be better on third down.

For Charlotte, it was a difficult Homecoming afternoon in increasingly difficult conditions. The rain arrived after the Tigers had established the lead, and Memphis never allowed the 49ers to work their way back into the game.

RALEIGH – Seven days earlier, NC State was one play away from leaving Nashville with a victory.

Instead, the Wolfpack experienced about as painful a finish as football can provide.

NC State took possession at its own 2-yard line with 1:04 remaining against Vanderbilt and a 31-28 lead. But as the Wolfpack attempted to run out the clock, quarterback CJ Bailey was hit and lost the football in the end zone. Vanderbilt recovered for a touchdown as time expired, turning what appeared to be an NC State victory into a stunning 35-31 loss. 

So when a 21-point lead disappeared Saturday night at Carter-Finley Stadium, when App State turned an interception, a touchdown, a surprise onside kick and another touchdown into a 31-31 tie, NC State found itself facing another late-game test.

This time, the Wolfpack finished.

NC State answered App State's furious comeback with a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, reclaimed the lead on Duke Scott's 16-yard touchdown run and scored the final 10 points of a wild 41-31 victory before 56,919 fans.

“Everything this week's been about finish for obvious reasons,” NC State coach Dave Doeren said. “We needed to finish, and we did.” 

The victory moved NC State to 2-2 and handed App State its first loss of the season after a 3-0 start. It also extended the Wolfpack's perfect record against the Mountaineers to 7-0 in the first meeting between the programs since 2006. 

For much of the first half, there was little indication NC State would need any late-game heroics.

The Wolfpack took the opening possession 75 yards in 10 plays, with Bailey scoring on a five-yard run.

The drive also produced the first of two plays App State might look back on and wonder what could have been.

Near the goal line, Colton Phares appeared to rip the football from Scott and raced 49 yards in the opposite direction. Instead of a turnover that would have given App State possession in NC State territory, officials ruled Scott's forward progress had been stopped before the ball came free. Two plays later, Bailey scored.

App State coach Dowell Loggains disagreed with the ruling but wasn't interested in blaming it for the loss.

“I know it's a judgment call,” Loggains said. “In real time, it felt like it was a fumble and felt like holding the ball on the 50-yard line, and the official saw it differently.” 

NC State kept rolling.

Scott scored from nine yards out with five seconds remaining in the opening quarter before Bailey found Ashton Locklear for a 10-yard touchdown midway through the second.

It was 21-0.

App State finally broke through with a five-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Singleton completed passes of 27 and 30 yards to Darrin Fugitt before scoring himself on a three-yard keeper.

But NC State answered again.

Bailey found Keenan Jackson for a 17-yard touchdown with 39 seconds remaining, restoring a three-touchdown advantage at 28-7.

App State could easily have gone quietly to halftime.

Instead, Singleton completed four consecutive passes in the final 39 seconds, including a 30-yarder to Nate Branch, setting up James London's 48-yard field goal as time expired.

The three points made it 28-10. More importantly, they gave the Mountaineers something positive to carry into halftime.

“We needed something good to happen right there,” Loggains said. “It was really huge just coming in the locker room.” 

App State refuses to go away

That momentum carried immediately into the second half.

On App State's first offensive snap, Singleton connected with Sam Pickett III for 54 yards to the NC State 21.

The Mountaineers converted a fourth-and-one later in the possession, and Jaquari Lewis scored from two yards out to make it 28-17.

NC State responded with a much different kind of drive.

The Wolfpack consumed 6:45 with a 13-play, 69-yard march. App State kept NC State out of the end zone, but Kanoah Vinesett kicked a 23-yard field goal to push the advantage back to 31-17. 

That possession included another potential App State takeaway.

Alex Mitchell stripped the ball from an NC State receiver near the sideline and recovered it. After review, officials ruled the football was touching the receiver while he was out of bounds, allowing NC State to retain possession.

This time, Loggains said he believed officials got the call right.

He also made clear afterward that neither ruling was why App State lost.

“I think it was us,” Loggains said. “There were too many self-inflicted things.”

NC State's efficiency demonstrated his point.

The Wolfpack converted 11 of 17 third downs, possessed the football for 36:23 and went a perfect 7-for-7 on red-zone opportunities. NC State ran 79 offensive plays compared with App State's 61 and finished with 459 yards. 

“You want to go on the road and play an ACC opponent and you want to beat them, you've got to play a lot better,” Loggains said. “You can't make errors.” 

But if App State hadn't played cleanly enough to win through three quarters, the Mountaineers were about to give themselves a chance anyway.

107 seconds changes everything

NC State still led 31-17 early in the fourth when Keaton Braddock drilled Bailey as the quarterback attempted to throw.

The ball popped forward and landed in the arms of defensive tackle Aaron Clark.

This turnover counted.

App State took possession at the NC State 42, and five plays later Singleton found Pickett for an 18-yard touchdown.

The Mountaineers were within seven.

Then came the play that transformed the atmosphere inside Carter-Finley.

Because NC State was penalized for roughing the passer on the touchdown, App State kicked off from midfield. London tapped a dribbling onside kick straight ahead, catching the Wolfpack off guard.

Joe Reddish recovered.

App State had stolen another possession.

Loggains said the Mountaineers had seen an opportunity and were prepared to take advantage of it.

“We knew when we got in the situation — and plus where the field position was — it was kind of a no-risk play,” Loggains said. “You got to try to find a way to steal a possession.” 

Four plays later, App State was in the end zone again.

Singleton hit Lewis for 18 yards to reach the red zone. Then, facing third-and-one from the 9, the Mountaineers got aggressive again.

Singleton faked the handoff.

True freshman tight end Gavin Barber slipped into the end zone uncovered.

Touchdown.

London's extra point tied the game at 31 with 9:41 remaining.

In 107 seconds, App State had scored 14 points.

A team that once trailed 21-0 had erased the entire deficit.

“I think our guys believe and I think they've got a lot of fight in them,” Loggains said. “They battled, they fought.”

But App State hadn't come to Raleigh looking for a moral victory.

“We came here to try to win the football game,” Loggains said, “and we didn't get that done.” 

One more chance to finish

If anyone understood the weight of NC State's next possession, it was Bailey.

A week earlier, the football had come out of his hands on the final play at Vanderbilt.

Now NC State had watched another late lead disappear, and Bailey was heading back onto the field with the game tied.

He said there was no panic.

“Everybody relax,” Bailey recalled telling his teammates on the sideline. “Just calm down. We got this, bro. One play at a time.”

He gathered the offense together before it returned to the field.

“We've all been in positions before like this,” Bailey said. “We just had to keep a level head.” 

Then NC State did exactly that.

The Wolfpack went 75 yards in nine plays and took 4:33 off the clock.

And when NC State needed someone to finish the drive, it turned to Scott.

The running back bounced outside and raced 16 yards into the end zone.

NC State 38, App State 31.

Scott finished with 148 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries, leading a Wolfpack rushing attack that accumulated 206 yards. App State managed only 62 yards on the ground. 

Doeren called Scott a “workhorse.”

“He's got a second gear that can run away from people, but he's low to the ground,” Doeren said. “He's patient and explosive.” 

Bailey was even more appreciative of having Scott behind him.

“It's very relieving,” Bailey said. “It takes a lot of stress off of me as well.”

He also directed credit toward an offensive line that allowed NC State to lean on its ground game when it mattered most.

“It starts with y'all,” Bailey said of the message to the linemen. “It don't start with me. It starts with y'all up front.” 

App State still had 5:08 to answer.

The Mountaineers moved near midfield but soon faced third-and-two.

Singleton's pass fell incomplete.

On fourth-and-two, Jackson Vick broke up another attempt across the middle.

NC State took over at the App State 33 with 3:59 remaining.

The Wolfpack didn't immediately settle for a kick. They kept the football for more than two minutes before Vinesett connected from 35 yards, finally giving NC State some breathing room at 41-31.

App State made one final push and moved inside the Wolfpack 25. Needing two scores, the Mountaineers attempted a 42-yard field goal on fourth-and-one with 47 seconds left.

London missed.

This time, Bailey could finish the night in victory formation.

Two teams leave Raleigh with something to remember

The final numbers reflected two very different offensive approaches.

NC State established control on the ground, rushing 46 times for 206 yards while Bailey completed 24 of 33 passes for 253 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Ten Wolfpack players caught passes.

App State relied heavily on Singleton's arm. He completed 26 of 38 attempts for 317 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception. Pickett finished with 97 receiving yards, Branch had 87 and Fugitt added 63. 

The Mountaineers leave Raleigh at 3-1 knowing they were capable of climbing out of a 21-point hole against an ACC opponent.

They also leave knowing the comeback wasn't enough.

“Our kids fought hard,” Loggains said. “I'm really proud of their resiliency, but you're not going to beat a team like that making self-inflicted things.” 

App State now gets an open week before beginning Sun Belt play at home against Old Dominion on Oct. 10. NC State remains home to face Louisville next Saturday.

For the Wolfpack, though, Saturday night's significance went beyond getting back to .500.

Seven days earlier, NC State had walked off a field in Nashville after seeing a victory disappear on the final play.

Against App State, another comfortable lead vanished.

The Mountaineers kept coming. They forced the turnover. They recovered the onside kick. They erased 21 points and silenced much of a sold-out Carter-Finley Stadium.

NC State had every reason to remember what happened a week earlier.

Instead, Bailey gathered his teammates.

The offensive line went to work.

Scott carried the Wolfpack back into the end zone.

The defense got the stop.

And after a week spent talking about how to finish a football game, NC State finally got the opportunity to show it could.

This time, the Wolfpack finished.