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

CHAPEL HILL – Duke scored the final eight points in the closing minutes Saturday to pull out a 32-25 victory over North Carolina at Kenan Stadium, moving to 6-5 overall and 5-2 in conference play while dropping the Tar Heels to 4-7 and 2-5.

The Blue Devils trailed 25-24 with less than three minutes remaining before putting together a crucial 11-play, 68-yard drive that consumed over four minutes of clock. The march ended with Anderson Castle's third rushing touchdown of the game, a one-yard plunge with 2:18 left. Duke then converted a two-point attempt on a pass from Nate Sheppard to push the lead to seven points.

North Carolina got the ball back but managed just four plays that lost three yards total. Gio Lopez was sacked on consecutive plays and threw an incomplete pass on fourth down to seal Duke's victory.

Castle finished with 49 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries, finding the end zone from one yard out three separate times. His scoring runs came in the first quarter to tie the game at 7-7, in the third quarter to extend Duke's lead to 24-10, and his decisive fourth-quarter touchdown. Sheppard carried 22 times for 90 yards, including a 29-yard burst in the third quarter that set up Duke's second touchdown of that period.

Quarterback Darian Mensah completed 20 of 33 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown without an interception. His 14-yard scoring strike to Jeremiah Hasley in the second quarter gave Duke a 14-7 lead. Hasley led all receivers with seven catches for 85 yards, while Sahmir Hagans added three receptions for 30 yards and returned one kickoff for 40 yards.

Duke controlled possession for 36 minutes compared to North Carolina's 24 minutes and ran 76 offensive plays to the Tar Heels' 52. The Blue Devils converted six of 15 third-down attempts and an impressive five of six fourth-down tries, with the successful fourth-down conversions proving critical in sustaining drives.

North Carolina appeared poised to complete a comeback after Lopez connected with Jordan Shipp for a 20-yard touchdown pass with 4:52 left in the third quarter. The Tar Heels successfully converted a two-point attempt on a pass from Shipp to cut Duke's lead to 24-18.

The Tar Heels took their only lead of the game early in the fourth quarter when Davion Gause capped a nine-play, 91-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run at 13:13. The extra point gave North Carolina a 25-24 advantage.

Gause rushed eight times for 63 yards and added one reception for 16 yards, finishing with 79 all-purpose yards. Lopez completed 21 of 27 passes for 204 yards and one touchdown but was sacked three times for 19 yards in losses. He also rushed nine times for a net of 20 yards and two touchdowns, including a one-yard score in the first quarter that gave North Carolina an early 7-0 lead.

Shipp caught eight passes for 83 yards and the touchdown while Kobe Paysour hauled in five receptions for 63 yards. However, North Carolina's offense stalled in critical moments, particularly on their final two possessions when they totaled negative 16 yards.

Duke built a 17-7 halftime lead after a 14-play, 71-yard drive that ate up nearly seven minutes of second-quarter clock. The Blue Devils faced multiple setbacks on the drive, including a holding penalty that created a first-and-20 situation, but they converted a third-and-24 with an 11-yard scramble by Mensah before settling for a 33-yard field goal by Todd Pelino.

North Carolina responded with an eight-play drive covering 44 yards in the final 2:26 of the half, with Rece Verhoff drilling a 49-yard field goal as time expired to cut the deficit to 17-10.

The third quarter featured explosive offensive plays from both teams. Duke opened the second half with an 11-play, 44-yard touchdown drive, aided by penalties and a successful fourth-down conversion. Castle scored from one yard out to make it 24-10 at 9:15.

North Carolina answered immediately with its best offensive series of the game. Lopez completed five of six passes on a 10-play, 75-yard march that covered just 4:23. His 20-yard touchdown pass to Shipp brought the Tar Heels within six points after the successful two-point conversion.

The Blue Devils' defense made crucial stops when needed, forcing three three-and-outs and recording five tackles for loss totaling 23 yards. Duke sacked Lopez three times for 19 yards, with Josiah Green, Aaron Hall, and Luke Mergott each recording sacks. The final sack by Mergott came with 1:24 remaining and helped preserve the victory.

North Carolina's defense recorded five tackles for loss totaling 26 yards and one sack. However, critical penalties hurt the Tar Heels throughout the game. They committed 12 penalties for 103 yards compared to Duke's three penalties for 27 yards. Three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the fourth quarter, including one after Duke's final touchdown and another after a kickoff, exemplified the undisciplined play that hampered North Carolina's comeback attempt.

Duke's offensive balance proved effective, with 177 rushing yards on 43 attempts and 175 passing yards. The Blue Devils averaged 4.6 yards per play compared to North Carolina's 5.9, but their ability to sustain drives and convert in crucial situations made the difference.

The victory secures bowl eligibility for Duke at 6-5 with one regular-season game remaining. North Carolina's loss eliminates the Tar Heels from bowl contention at 4-7, ensuring a losing season regardless of the outcome in their final game.

Top Performers

Duke:

1. Anderson Castle: 13 rushes, 49 yards, 3 TDs
2. Jeremiah Hasley: 7 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD
3. Nate Sheppard: 22 rushes, 90 yards
4. Darian Mensah: 20-of-33, 175 yards, 1 TD passing; 3 rushes, 27 yards

North Carolina:

• Gio Lopez: 21-of-27, 204 yards, 1 TD passing; 9 rushes, 20 yards, 1 TD
• Jordan Shipp: 8 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD
• Davion Gause: 8 rushes, 63 yards, 1 TD
• Kobe Paysour: 5 receptions, 63 yards

BOONE – App State kicker Dominic De Freitas connected on a 23-yard field goal with 2:02 remaining to lift the Mountaineers past Marshall 26-24 on Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina.

The victory improved App State to 5-6 overall and 2-5 in conference play, while Marshall fell to 5-6 and 3-4. The game featured five lead changes and came down to a frantic final quarter that saw both teams commit costly turnovers.

App State's winning drive covered 35 yards in eight plays over 3:31, capitalizing on a Marshall fumble deep in Herd territory. Running back Jaquari Lewis carried the ball 33 times for 175 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Mountaineers' ground attack.

Marshall quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson accounted for two rushing touchdowns and threw for 146 yards, while running back Joshon Barbie added 102 yards and a score on 10 carries. Despite outgaining App State 438-276 in total offense, the Herd could not overcome two lost fumbles in the fourth quarter.

The game turned in the fourth quarter after Marshall had taken a 24-23 lead on Lorcan Quinn's 25-yard field goal with 5:29 left in the third quarter. The Herd appeared poised to extend their advantage when they drove from their own 1-yard line to the App State 40 in a seven-play drive that consumed more than three minutes. But running back Michael Allen fumbled at the App State 42, and Colton Phares recovered for the Mountaineers at the 39 with 5:33 remaining.

App State methodically moved into field goal range, with Lewis gaining 13 yards on first down to the Marshall 9. After three more plays, De Freitas came on for the game-winning kick, his second successful field goal of the afternoon.

Marshall had one final chance after receiving the kickoff at their own 25 with 2:02 to play. The Herd moved the ball to the App State 39 before Allen fumbled again with less than a minute remaining, effectively ending Marshall's comeback hopes.

The first half belonged to Marshall's offense, particularly Del Rio-Wilson. After App State took a 3-0 lead on De Freitas's 32-yard field goal, Marshall answered with an eight-play, 41-yard touchdown drive capped by Barbie's 5-yard run.

App State regained the lead early in the second quarter when Lewis scored from 18 yards out to make it 9-7, but Marshall responded with two quick touchdowns. Del Rio-Wilson rushed for scores of 16 and 4 yards on consecutive possessions, giving the Herd a 21-9 advantage with 8:14 left in the half.

The Mountaineers cut into the deficit before halftime with a 75-yard drive that ended with J.J. Kohl's 19-yard touchdown pass to David Larkins with 53 seconds remaining. The score pulled App State within 21-16 at the break.

App State seized momentum to start the third quarter with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that consumed 5:33. Lewis capped the march with a 5-yard run, giving the Mountaineers their first lead since the opening quarter at 23-21.

Marshall's response came on a nine-play, 64-yard drive that stalled at the App State 7, forcing Quinn's field goal attempt. The successful kick put Marshall ahead 24-23, setting up the tense fourth quarter.

Wide receiver Demarcus Lacey led all receivers with 12 catches for 134 yards, consistently moving the chains for Marshall. Del Rio-Wilson completed 13 of 21 passes for his 146 yards, while backup Zion Turner added 54 yards on 8-of-9 passing.

For App State, Kohl finished 19-of-27 for 134 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Sam Mbake caught seven passes for 39 yards, while Lewis added five receptions for 39 yards to complement his rushing performance.

Marshall's defense registered two sacks and five tackles for loss, led by linebacker Jayland Parker's 15 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks totaling 24 yards. App State's defense forced three turnovers, including the crucial fourth-quarter fumble recoveries, and recorded two sacks.

The statistics told a stark story: Marshall converted just 5 of 12 third-down attempts and averaged 6.3 yards per play compared to App State's 3.9. Marshall possessed the ball for 30:09 to App State's 29:51. But the Mountaineers scored three points off turnovers while Marshall managed none, proving decisive in the close contest.

Marshall's offensive balance was evident with 238 rushing yards and 200 passing yards, but the team went 0-for-2 in the red zone with field goal attempts, including a blocked kick in the fourth quarter. App State converted all five red zone opportunities into scores, including three touchdowns and two field goals.

The loss marked Marshall's third defeat in conference play and fourth in their last six games overall. App State snapped a three-game losing streak with the victory.

Top Performers:

• Jaquari Lewis (App State): 33 carries, 175 rushing yards, 2 TDs; 5 receptions, 39 yards
• Joshon Barbie (Marshall): 10 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD
• Demarcus Lacey (Marshall): 12 receptions, 134 yards
• Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (Marshall): 13-of-21 passing, 146 yards; 14 carries, 71 yards, 2 TDs
• Jayland Parker (Marshall): 15 tackles, 2 sacks, 2.5 TFL

WINGATE – Benedict pulled off one of the most improbable finishes in NCAA Division 2 playoff history, stunning 16th-ranked Wingate 25-24 on a miraculous 86-yard touchdown pass with no time remaining Saturday at Irwin Belk Stadium.

With the ball at their own 14-yard line and the clock showing only three seconds remaining, quarterback Jackson Jensen threw a desperation pass to Tre Simmons. What happened next defied belief. Simmons caught the ball near the 20-yard line, then threw a lateral all the way back across the field to Malik Mullins, who raced down the sideline untouched for the game-winning score as time expired.

The stunning victory capped a furious fourth-quarter rally by the 23rd-ranked Tigers, who overcame a 24-0 third-quarter deficit to advance in the Division 2 playoffs. Benedict improved to 10-2 while Wingate's season ended at 9-3, snapping the Bulldogs' six-game winning streak.

The comeback seemed unlikely after Wingate's Omar Ba intercepted Jensen's pass and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown with 14:46 remaining in the third quarter, giving the Bulldogs a commanding 24-0 advantage. Benedict had managed just 118 total yards to that point and trailed by three scores midway through the third quarter.

But the Tigers' defense stiffened considerably after that score. Benedict forced three consecutive three-and-out possessions and benefited from crucial Wingate mistakes that shifted momentum. The Tigers held Wingate to just 139 total yards and no points over the final 28 minutes of game action.

Benedict finally broke through late in the third quarter when Jensen directed a six-play, 27-yard drive that culminated in a 5-yard touchdown pass to Malaqhi Jones with 1:03 remaining in the period. Logan Karwacki's extra point made it 24-7, giving the Tigers their first points after falling behind 17-0 in the first quarter.

The fourth quarter belonged entirely to Benedict's defense and special teams. Isaiah Isidore provided the spark with 10:05 remaining when he blocked a 21-yard field goal attempt by Caleb Bonesteel and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown. The failed extra point left Benedict trailing 24-13, but the Tigers had seized momentum.

Benedict's offense took over at its own 50-yard line after a Kolten Ford punt with 5:59 remaining and methodically moved downfield. Triston Morgan carried five times for 33 yards on the drive, including a critical 27-yard run to the Wingate 21 that gave Benedict first-and-10 deep in Bulldogs territory.

Jensen completed the march with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Charle Simmons with 3:36 remaining. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving Benedict trailing 24-19 and needing to get the ball back with little time remaining.

Wingate tried to run out the clock but could only manage 22 yards on six plays before punting back to Benedict with 19 seconds left. The Tigers took over at their own 14-yard line with one final chance.

Jensen's first three passes fell incomplete, all intended for Troy Hillman. Facing fourth-and-10 with the season on the line and the clock at zero, Jensen dropped back one final time. The improbable lateral play that followed sent the Benedict sideline into celebration and silenced the Wingate home crowd who .

Jensen finished 11-of-29 passing for 158 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He added 33 yards rushing on seven carries. Mullins caught four passes for 126 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Morgan led Benedict's ground game with 50 yards on 12 carries.

Wingate quarterback Elijah Holmes completed 14 of 32 passes for 264 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Freshman receiver Jaylen Himes caught four passes for 138 yards and both of Holmes' touchdown passes, scoring on connections of 25 and 34 yards in the first quarter that staked the Bulldogs to their early lead.

The Bulldogs dominated the first half, taking a 17-0 lead into the break. Holmes connected with Himes for touchdown passes on back-to-back drives in the opening quarter. The first score came on a four-play, 68-yard drive capped by the 25-yard connection at 11:56 of the first quarter. The second touchdown came less than five minutes later when Holmes found Himes again, this time for 34 yards to complete a six-play, 63-yard march.

Bonesteel added a 26-yard field goal with 59 seconds left in the first quarter to extend Wingate's advantage to 17-0. The Bulldogs reached the red zone four times but managed just one field goal from those trips, a crucial shortcoming that proved decisive.

Benedict's defense recorded four sacks and limited Wingate to 3-of-14 on third-down conversions. Isaiah Stephens led the Tigers with nine tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. Israe Nwokocha added seven tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack, plus the blocked field goal return for touchdown that sparked the comeback.

The loss ended Wingate's seventh playoff appearance in school history and sixth in the last eight years. The Bulldogs had won at least eight games in nine consecutive seasons and were appearing in their fifth home playoff game.

Benedict advances to face Albany State, the region’s top seed, in the second round of the Division 2 playoffs. The Tigers are making their third playoff appearance in the last four years and earned their second road playoff victory after previously winning at Wingate in 1998 in the teams' first meeting. Wingate had defeated Benedict 23-6 in the second round of the 2022 playoffs before advancing to the national quarterfinals.

The dramatic finish will be remembered as one of the wildest endings in recent playoff history, a fitting conclusion to a game that seemed decided until the final seconds ticked off the clock.

CHARLOTTE – Frostburg State used a powerful ground attack and a persistent defensive effort to defeat Johnson C. Smith, 21-7, in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Football Championship. Playing in JCSU’s first-ever home playoff game, the Bobcats controlled the line of scrimmage, accumulating 496 total yards compared to the Golden Bulls’ 282 total yards.

Frostburg State, the Mountain East co-champions, established a clear advantage in first downs, totaling 20 to Johnson C. Smith’s 15. This was largely fueled by their success on the ground, where the Bobcats secured 10 first downs rushing against only 3 for JCSU. The Bobcats also proved far more efficient on third down, converting on 5 of 13 attempts, while the Golden Bulls managed only 1 of 10.

Ground Game and Early Leads

The Bobcats' victory was anchored by running back KJ Smothers, who accounted for all three Frostburg State touchdowns. Smothers carried the ball 16 times for 115 yards, highlighted by a 41-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter that put the Bobcats on the board, following a Marquise Allsup interception.

First Quarter: Frostburg State took a 7-0 lead on Smothers’ long run at the 00:40 mark, which was quickly followed by a successful extra point from B. Keen. This drive was set up by a 48-yard punt return by Austin Paul-Umstead to the JCSU 32-yard line.

Second Quarter: Smothers scored again early in the second quarter on a 2-yard plunge, extending the lead to 14-0. The drive included a 40-yard completion from quarterback Jordan Brooks to Ray Adames.

Brooks finished the game 9-for-23 for 179 yards with one interception. Wide receiver Cruiz Paul-Umstead was the leading receiver with 4 receptions for 92 yards. The Bobcats’ overall rushing attack finished with 188 yards on 41 attempts. Owen Doyle contributed 95 yards on 19 carries.

JCSU’s Passing and Frostburg State Defense

Johnson C. Smith relied heavily on their passing game and the receiving efforts of Deandre Proctor. Quarterback Kelvin Durham completed 18 of 28 passes for 219 yards, but he was intercepted twice, once by Wylan Harich in the first quarter and once by Marquise Allsup. JCSU rushed for only 36 total yards on 27 attempts, with Bobby Smith leading the team with 42 yards.

Proctor was a key target for the Golden Bulls, catching 14 passes for 139 yards. His long catch of 33 yards set up JCSU’s only scoring drive. The Golden Bulls’ longest offensive play was a 41-yard pass from Durham to Isaiah Perry in the fourth quarter.

The Johnson C. Smith defense managed to force a turnover on downs at the end of the second quarter, stopping a Bobcats drive at the JCSU 39-yard line. They also successfully pressured Jordan Brooks, recording two sacks and seven tackles for loss.

The Second Half

Johnson C. Smith found the end zone midway through the third quarter after a long drive. Starting from their own 20-yard line, the Golden Bulls moved the ball downfield, with Durham connecting with Proctor for a 33-yard gain. The drive culminated in the team’s only touchdown, a 7-yard touchdown reception by Deandre Proctor from Kelvin Durham with 4:04 left in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 14-7.

The Frostburg State defense responded in the fourth quarter, forcing a critical turnover by recovering a fumble on a Bobby Smith rush at the Bobcats’ 29-yard line, which was forced by Christian Taylor and recovered by Rainer Haveland. This came immediately after Durham’s 41-yard pass to Isaiah Perry had moved the Golden Bulls into scoring territory.

The Bobcats capitalized on the turnover, driving 71 yards to secure the win. KJ Smothers delivered his third and final touchdown of the day with a 5-yard run with 0:56 left in the game, bringing the final score to 21-7.

Linebacker Christian Taylor was a force for the Bobcats, recording 8 total tackles (7 solo) and a game-high 4 sacks for a loss. Josh McTier led the Frostburg State defense with 10 total tackles (9 solo). For Johnson C. Smith, Vincent Hill led the team with 9 total tackles (8 solo).

Looking Forward

Despite the outcome of their first-round playoff game, Johnson C. Smith concludes its 2025 campaign with a 10-2 record, marking the best season ever for the Golden Bulls football program. The team secured a CIAA Championship and hosted its first home playoff contest, achievements that underscore a profound success in Charlotte. While the pursuit of a national title ends here, the foundation laid by this historic season, culminating with double-digit wins and a conference championship, serves as a clear signal of the program’s arrival on the national stage.

WINSTON-SALEM – Wake Forest used a balanced offensive attack and a stifling defensive effort to defeat North Carolina 28-12 on Saturday night at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, improving to 7-3 overall and 4-3 in conference play.

The Demon Deacons rushed for 223 yards on 39 carries while holding the Tar Heels to just 56 yards on the ground. Wake Forest quarterback Robby Ashford contributed both through the air and on the ground, throwing for 191 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 52 yards and another score.

Carlos Hernandez proved to be the game's most dynamic player, accounting for 181 all-purpose yards. He rushed for 51 yards and a touchdown on a single carry, caught six passes for 100 yards and another score, and added 30 yards on kick and punt returns. His 70-yard touchdown reception from Ashford in the third quarter extended Wake Forest's lead to 21-9 and effectively put the game out of reach.

Demond Claiborne anchored the Wake Forest ground game with 98 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. He scored from 12 yards out late in the second quarter to give the Demon Deacons a 14-3 halftime advantage.

North Carolina relied almost exclusively on kicker Rece Verhoff for its scoring. The Tar Heels made four field goals but never reached the end zone, settling for kicks of 40, 57, 42, and 47 yards. Verhoff also had two attempts blocked, including a 39-yarder in the second quarter and a 45-yarder at the end of the third quarter.

The Tar Heels managed just 257 total yards compared to Wake Forest's 414. North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez completed 21 of 36 passes for 201 yards but was sacked twice and struggled to sustain drives in the red zone. The Tar Heels converted just one of three red zone opportunities into points, settling for Verhoff's 40-yard field goal on their first scoring drive.

Wake Forest opened the scoring on its first possession, taking just 1:49 to march 75 yards in five plays. The drive culminated in Hernandez's 9-yard rushing touchdown, though the score came in unusual fashion. Ashford fumbled after a 9-yard rush, but Hernandez recovered the loose ball and raced 51 yards to the end zone with 13:11 remaining in the first quarter.

The Tar Heels (4-6, 2-4) showed brief signs of life in the first half. After Gavin Gibson forced and recovered a Claiborne fumble at the Wake Forest 31-yard line early in the second quarter, North Carolina drove to the 21-yard line before Verhoff's 39-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Nick Andersen.

Wake Forest capitalized on the momentum shift, driving 79 yards in 13 plays over 5:40 to extend its lead to 14-3. The drive featured several key conversions, including a fourth-and-one that Ashford converted with a quarterback sneak after an official review confirmed the first down.

North Carolina managed a 57-yard field goal from Verhoff as time expired in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 14-6 at halftime. The kick followed a drive aided by a 15-yard personal foul penalty against Wake Forest defensive back Aiden Hall.

The third quarter proved decisive. After the Tar Heels kicked a 42-yard field goal to make it 14-9, Wake Forest responded immediately. Ashford hit Hernandez in stride on a crossing route, and the versatile playmaker outran the North Carolina defense for a 70-yard touchdown just 52 seconds later.

North Carolina's offense struggled with third-down efficiency, converting just four of 14 attempts. The Tar Heels also lost the time of possession battle 29:58 to 30:02, despite appearing to control tempo for stretches of the third quarter when they held the ball for 10:20.

Wake Forest's defense recorded six tackles for loss and two sacks while breaking up six passes. Aiden Hall led all tacklers with nine stops. The Demon Deacons held North Carolina to an average of just 4.2 yards per play.

Ashford sealed the victory with a 2-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-two with 22 seconds remaining. The 10-play, 55-yard drive consumed the final 4:59 of game time and featured several crucial third-down conversions.

Jake Johnson led North Carolina receivers with five catches for 54 yards, while Demon June rushed for 32 yards on nine carries. Khmori House paced the Tar Heels defense with nine tackles, including a sack.

The loss dropped North Carolina to 4-6 overall, putting bowl eligibility in jeopardy with just two regular-season games remaining. Wake Forest has now won three of its last four games.

Top Performers:

• Carlos Hernandez, WF: 181 all-purpose yards, 2 TDs (1 rushing, 1 receiving)
• Demond Claiborne, WF: 98 rushing yards, 1 TD on 23 carries
• Robby Ashford, WF: 191 passing yards, 1 TD; 52 rushing yards, 1 TD
• Rece Verhoff, UNC: 4-of-6 on field goals, including 57-yarder
• Aiden Hall, WF: 9 tackles, 1 TFL

DURHAM – For 56 years, Johnson C. Smith football had been chasing history. On Saturday afternoon at Durham County Memorial Stadium, the Golden Bulls finally caught it.

Kelvin Durham threw five touchdown passes and Johnson C. Smith built a commanding lead before holding off Virginia Union 45-21 to claim the CIAA championship, the program's first conference title since 1969 and first championship game appearance since 1972.

The Golden Bulls (10-1) never trailed after taking a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter, methodically pulling away from the two-time defending champion Panthers (9-2) behind Durham's career performance and a defense that made critical plays at crucial moments.

Durham completed 16 of 29 passes for 285 yards with one interception. He also rushed for a touchdown, finishing with 16 net rushing yards on seven carries.

Durham found Deandre Proctor twice in the end zone, including a 58-yard strike in the third quarter that pushed the lead to 28-14. Proctor finished with seven receptions for 146 yards and two scores. Reggie Brigman also caught two touchdown passes of 19 and 32 yards, while Reginald Daniel added a 33-yard scoring reception.

The victory came in a rematch of a September 20 meeting in Richmond that Virginia Union won 28-10. But this time, Johnson C. Smith flipped the script from the opening drive.

After Virginia Union fumbled away its opening possession, the Golden Bulls marched 26 yards in two plays, with Durham hitting Brigman on a 19-yard touchdown pass at 11:56 of the first quarter. The Panthers fumbled on their next possession, with the ball recovered by Daryl Taybron at the Virginia Union 26-yard line, setting up another quick score.

Durham connected with Daniel for a 33-yard touchdown at 1:07 of the first quarter to make it 14-7 after Lukasz Smolen's extra point.

Virginia Union, which came in averaging 238 rushing yards per game behind CIAA Offensive Player of the Year Curtis Allen, managed to keep pace early. The Panthers answered with a methodical six-play, 11-yard drive that consumed nearly three minutes. On fourth-and-one from the two-yard line, Jaehlan Joyner plunged in for a one-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 14-7 at 4:57 of the first quarter.

Allen, who led all of Division II with 2,098 rushing yards during the regular season, finished with 183 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. But the Golden Bulls defense, anchored by first-team All-CIAA selections Vincent Hill and Cadricus Stanley, contained him when it mattered most.

The Panthers pulled even at 14-14 early in the second quarter when Allen capped an 11-play, 65-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run at 11:44. Allen broke free on the left side for the score, and Brady Myers's extra point tied the game.

But Johnson C. Smith responded immediately with an eight-play, 71-yard drive that ended with Durham finding Proctor for a 25-yard touchdown with 7:15 remaining in the second quarter. Smolen's kick gave the Golden Bulls a 21-14 lead they would never relinquish.

The Golden Bulls took that seven-point advantage into halftime and seized control in the third quarter.

Durham engineered a nine-play, 80-yard scoring drive to open the second half. On second-and-13 from the Johnson C. Smith 42-yard line, Durham dropped back and connected with Proctor down the left sideline. Proctor outran the Virginia Union secondary for a 58-yard touchdown at 5:30 of the third quarter, extending the lead to 28-14 after Smolen's conversion.

Two plays later, Virginia Union quarterback RJ Rosales threw an interception to Tynan Tucker at the Panthers' 29-yard line. Tucker returned it 29 yards to the Virginia Union 23, setting up another Johnson C. Smith scoring opportunity.

The Golden Bulls converted that turnover into points, driving 23 yards in seven plays. Durham capped the drive with a three-yard rushing touchdown at 2:33 of the third quarter to make it 35-14. It marked Durham's only rushing touchdown of the game.

Virginia Union, trying to become the first CIAA program to win three consecutive championships since the conference split into divisions in 2002, mounted one final charge in the fourth quarter. The Panthers put together a 12-play, 75-yard drive that took more than four minutes off the clock. Allen finished it with a five-yard touchdown run at 4:58 of the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 38-21.

That score came after Smolen had kicked a 40-yard field goal at 9:14 of the fourth quarter to give Johnson C. Smith a 38-14 cushion. The field goal capped an 11-play, 49-yard drive that consumed nearly five minutes.

But the Golden Bulls defense, which held Virginia Union to 150 passing yards and forced two interceptions, shut down the Panthers' comeback hopes. Durham then delivered the final blow with 58 seconds remaining, hitting Brigman for a 32-yard touchdown pass that sealed the victory at 45-21. The score completed a six-play, 50-yard drive.

The championship capped a remarkable season for Johnson C. Smith under third-year head coach Maurice Flowers, who was named CIAA Coach of the Year after leading the Golden Bulls to their first championship appearance in 53 years. The victory gave the program 10 wins for the first time in school history and validated a rebuilding effort that began when Flowers, a Johnson C. Smith graduate, took over the program.

Freshman running back Bobby Smith, the CIAA Offensive Rookie of the Year, provided balance to the Johnson C. Smith attack with 78 net yards on 23 carries. Smith's emergence this season gave the Golden Bulls a formidable ground game to complement Durham's passing prowess, forcing defenses to account for multiple threats.

The Johnson C. Smith defense recorded seven tackles for loss and consistently pressured Rosales, who completed just 10 of 22 passes with two interceptions. Jalen Alexander led the defensive front with six total tackles and two tackles for loss totaling six yards. TyQueron Hines added six total tackles and broke up two passes in the secondary. Elijah Wilson also broke up two passes.

Vincent Hill led all tacklers with seven total stops, while Stanley added six tackles. Kristian Eanes contributed five tackles with one tackle for loss.

Virginia Union, which entered as the top seed after going 7-0 in conference play, struggled to establish rhythm against a Johnson C. Smith defense that had limited Allen to 114 yards in their September meeting. Rosales managed 45 net rushing yards on 12 carries, but the Panthers couldn't sustain drives consistently enough to mount a serious threat after falling behind by three touchdowns.

The Golden Bulls controlled possession for nearly 30 minutes, converting nine of 12 third-down attempts while limiting Virginia Union to four of 12 on third down. That time of possession advantage allowed Johnson C. Smith to dictate tempo and keep Allen off the field for extended stretches.

Latrae Bass and Tucker each recorded interceptions for the Golden Bulls, with Bass picking off Rosales at 9:45 of the first quarter at the Virginia Union 50-yard line. Tucker's interception in the third quarter proved more costly, setting up the touchdown that gave Johnson C. Smith a commanding 35-14 lead.

The championship marked redemption for the Golden Bulls, who had watched Virginia Union celebrate back-to-back titles while building toward this moment. Johnson C. Smith's only loss this season came against these same Panthers in September, a defeat that served as motivation throughout the remainder of the campaign.

Durham's performance showcased the chemistry he developed with his receiving corps throughout the year. Proctor, a first-team All-CIAA selection, proved to be a dynamic threat downfield, averaging 20.9 yards per reception. Brian Lane added three catches for 18 yards, while Cayden Bell-McKethan hauled in a 23-yard reception in the first quarter. Jabreel Murray caught one pass for four yards.

The offensive line, anchored by Lineman of the Year Jamari Mason, provided Durham with protection throughout the afternoon. The Golden Bulls allowed no sacks and opened lanes for Smith's rushing attack, demonstrating the balance that made them one of the conference's most complete teams.

Smolen handled all the kicking duties for Johnson C. Smith, converting seven of eight extra points and making his lone field goal attempt from 40 yards. He also punted twice for 84 yards, with both punts landing inside the 20-yard line. On kickoffs, Smolen sent eight kicks for 481 yards, averaging 60.1 yards per kickoff with three touchbacks.

Virginia Union's bid for a historic three-peat came up short despite Allen's remarkable season that saw him lead Division II in multiple statistical categories. The senior running back finished his career with one of the most productive seasons in conference history but couldn't deliver one final championship for the Panthers.

Zyaire Tart provided a spark in the return game for Virginia Union, returning three kickoffs for 52 yards and handling punt return duties. Ricky Key Jr. led the Panthers' receiving corps with four catches for 79 yards, while Tart added four receptions for 33 yards.

The loss snapped Virginia Union's seven-game winning streak and denied the program a chance to cement a dynasty. Instead, Johnson C. Smith will carry the CIAA banner as conference champions for the first time in more than a half century.

For a program that had gone decades without a championship appearance, Saturday's victory represented more than just a trophy. It validated the vision Flowers brought when he returned to his alma mater and confirmed that Johnson C. Smith football had returned to prominence in the CIAA.

The Golden Bulls now celebrate a championship that bridged generations and brought glory back to Charlotte. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Johnson C. Smith players rushed the field in celebration, culminating a journey that ended with a championship trophy in Durham. The 56-year wait was finally over.

Top Performers

• Kelvin Durham, QB, Johnson C. Smith: 16-of-29 passing, 285 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT; 7 carries, 16 net rushing yards, 1 rushing TD
• Deandre Proctor, WR, Johnson C. Smith: 7 receptions, 146 yards, 2 TDs (long of 58)
• Curtis Allen, RB, Virginia Union: 25 carries, 183 yards, 2 TDs (long of 45)
• Bobby Smith, RB, Johnson C. Smith: 23 carries, 78 net yards
• Reggie Brigman, WR, Johnson C. Smith: 3 receptions, 61 yards, 2 TDs
• Vincent Hill, LB, Johnson C. Smith: 7 total tackles (4 solo, 3 assists)
• Tynan Tucker, DB, Johnson C. Smith: 1 interception, 29-yard return