North Carolina will be well represented in the college football postseason. Four of the state’s seven FBS programs, NC State, Duke, Wake Forest, and East Carolina, secured bowl invitations Sunday as the 2025–26 lineup was announced. North Carolina, App State, and Charlotte were left out of the field, leaving four teams to carry the state’s banner into December and January.

NC State – Gasparilla Bowl

NC State (7-5) heads to Tampa to face Memphis (8-4) in the Gasparilla Bowl on Dec. 19. The Wolfpack closed the season with a rivalry win over UNC and will lean on their defense to slow a Tigers offense averaging more than 30 points per game. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Duke – Sun Bowl

Fresh off its first outright ACC title since 1962, Duke (8-5) meets Arizona State (8-4) in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31. The Blue Devils’ defense will be tested by ASU’s dual-threat quarterback, while coach Manny Diaz looks to cap his debut season with a statement win. Game time is 2 p.m. ET on CBS.

Wake Forest – Duke’s Mayo Bowl

Wake Forest (8-4) returns to Charlotte for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against Mississippi State (5-7) on Jan. 2. First-year coach Jake Dickert guided the Deacs to a steady finish, and his offense will try to exploit a Bulldogs team that slipped into the postseason via APR. Kickoff is 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

East Carolina – Military Bowl

East Carolina (8-4) rides late-season momentum into the Military Bowl against Pitt (8-4) on Dec. 27. Quarterback Katin Houser leads a Pirates offense averaging nearly 500 yards per game, while Pitt counters with a physical defense that thrives on pressure. The game begins at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN.

WINSTON-SALEM – Winston-Salem State University has turned to one of its most decorated alumni to lead the Rams back to prominence. The school announced that Tory Woodbury, a Hall of Fame quarterback who guided WSSU to back-to-back CIAA titles in 1999 and 2000 and later earned a Super Bowl LVI ring as a coach with the Los Angeles Rams, will serve as the program’s next head football coach.

A Storied Playing Career

Woodbury’s name is etched into WSSU history. A dual-threat quarterback, he amassed more than 4,500 passing yards, 1,000 rushing yards, and 60 total touchdowns during his career. His leadership carried the Rams to consecutive CIAA championships, cementing his place among the program’s all-time greats. He was inducted into the WSSU Hall of Fame in 2008 and the CIAA Hall of Fame in 2016, honors that reflect his enduring impact on the conference and the university.  

From NFL Fields to Coaching Sidelines

After college, Woodbury spent eight years as a professional player, including stints with the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, and Arena Football League teams. His transition into coaching was equally dynamic. He worked at the high school level in North Carolina before moving into college coaching roles at Delaware State, Johnson C. Smith, Howard, and Norfolk State.  

Woodbury’s résumé also includes NFL experience. He served as an assistant quarterbacks coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars and later joined the Los Angeles Rams as an assistant special teams coach and scout. With the Rams, he contributed to their Super Bowl LVI championship run, earning a ring as part of the coaching staff.  

Restoring the Standard

The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for WSSU football. The Rams have struggled to reclaim their championship form in recent seasons, finishing outside the top of the CIAA standings. Chancellor Bonita J. Brown emphasized that Woodbury’s hire is about more than nostalgia: “We are restoring the standard of excellence that WSSU football has always represented.”  

A New Era at Bowman-Gray

For Woodbury, the return to Winston-Salem is both personal and professional. A hometown native, he now carries the responsibility of reviving the Rams’ storied tradition at Bowman-Gray Stadium. With his pedigree as a championship player, seasoned coach, and beloved alumnus, Woodbury’s arrival signals a new era of ambition and expectation for WSSU football.

CHARLOTTE – Duke won its first ACC Championship Game in program history, defeating Virginia 27-20 in overtime Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium to claim the conference title and deny the Cavaliers an automatic berth in the College Football Playoff.

The Blue Devils, who entered as significant underdogs after sneaking into the championship via a five-way tiebreaker, sealed the victory when linebacker Luke Mergott picked off a pass on the first play of overtime. Duke had scored on its overtime possession when Darian Mensah found Jeremiah Hasley for a one-yard touchdown pass on fourth down.

The championship marks Duke's first outright ACC title since 1962 and its second ACC Championship Game appearance. The Blue Devils lost to Florida State in their only previous title game appearance in 2013.

Virginia, which finished the regular season 10-2 and was seeking its first ACC Championship Game victory in three attempts, forced overtime when Morris connected with Eli Wood on an 18-yard touchdown pass with 22 seconds remaining in regulation. The drive covered 96 yards in 10 plays and was kept alive by two Duke pass interference penalties on defensive back Caleb Weaver.

Duke's path to Charlotte came through one of the most complicated tiebreaker scenarios in conference history. The Blue Devils finished 6-2 in ACC play, tied with Miami, Pittsburgh, SMU and Georgia Tech, but emerged from the five-way tiebreaker to earn the championship game berth opposite Virginia, which finished 7-1 in conference play.

The game featured two teams heading in opposite directions. Virginia entered having completed just the second 10-win regular season in program history and first since 1989. Duke, meanwhile, had lost to Virginia 34-17 during the regular season and finished 7-5 overall.

Mensah completed 19 of 25 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns despite being sacked once and throwing one interception. His counterpart, Morris, finished 21 of 40 for 216 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Morris was sacked once and faced consistent pressure from Duke's defensive front.

Nate Sheppard provided the offensive foundation for Duke, rushing 21 times for 97 yards and a touchdown while adding five receptions for 31 yards. His 16-yard touchdown run in the second quarter gave Duke a 14-7 lead. Cooper Barkate led all receivers with five catches for 91 yards, including a crucial 38-yard reception in the third quarter.

For Virginia, J'Mari Taylor rushed 15 times for 65 yards and caught a touchdown pass, while Harrison Waylee added 66 yards on 11 carries. Cam Ross led Cavaliers receivers with five catches for 59 yards.

Duke controlled possession for more than 34 minutes compared to Virginia's 25:36, a disparity driven largely by the Blue Devils' effective rushing attack and their 4-for-4 success rate on fourth down conversions. Virginia converted just one of two fourth down attempts.

The first half belonged to Duke despite Virginia's brief comeback. After Duke took a 7-0 lead on Mensah's 12-yard touchdown pass to Hasley midway through the first quarter, Virginia answered when Morris found Taylor for an 11-yard score early in the second quarter to tie the game at 7-7.

Duke regained the lead on Sheppard's 16-yard rushing touchdown with 6:14 remaining in the second quarter, capping a 13-play, 75-yard drive that consumed more than eight minutes. The Blue Devils took a 14-7 lead into halftime after limiting Virginia to just 4:53 of possession time in the second quarter.

Virginia dominated the third quarter, holding the ball for more than 11 minutes while Duke managed just 3:26. The Cavaliers drove 68 yards in 17 plays before settling for a 24-yard field goal from Will Bettridge that cut Duke's lead to 14-10.

Duke answered with its own field goal, a 29-yarder from Todd Pelino, to extend the lead to 17-10. The drive was aided by a 38-yard completion from Mensah to Barkate and a 15-yard face mask penalty on Virginia's Ja'son Prevard.

The fourth quarter featured three lead changes and critical defensive plays from both sides. Duke extended its advantage to 20-10 on another Pelino field goal, this one from 23 yards after the Blue Devils recovered a Weaver interception at the Virginia 33-yard line.

Virginia responded with Bettridge's 42-yard field goal to make it 20-13 with 3:54 remaining, then got the ball back at its own 4-yard line after Duke punted with 1:44 left. The Cavaliers faced multiple third and fourth down conversions during their final drive of regulation, converting a crucial fourth-and-four when Morris found Ross for nine yards to the Duke 18.

Two plays later, Morris hit Wood in stride for the game-tying touchdown. Bettridge's extra point sent the game to overtime tied at 20-20.

In overtime, Duke took possession first and marched to the Virginia 1-yard line behind three consecutive rushing attempts by Sheppard that gained 11, six and seven yards. After two stuffed runs by Anderson Castle, Mensah's pass fell incomplete on third down, setting up fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line.

Mensah rolled right and found Hasley in the flat for the go-ahead score. Virginia was penalized for a personal foul on James Jackson after the play, but it had no bearing on the result. Pelino added the extra point for a 27-20 Duke lead.

Virginia's overtime possession lasted one play. The Cavaliers attempted a trick play with a pass deep down the left sideline, but Mergott stepped in front of the pass at the Duke 24-yard line for his second interception of the game, ending Virginia's season and securing Duke's first ACC Championship Game victory.

The Blue Devils converted 6 of 16 third down attempts and were perfect on fourth down, going 4-for-4 in critical situations. Virginia converted 7 of 15 third downs but managed just one conversion on two fourth down tries.

Duke outgained Virginia 333-344 in total yards but won the turnover battle 2-1. The Blue Devils also controlled the line of scrimmage, averaging 3.1 yards per carry compared to Virginia's 4.4, though Duke ran 44 times compared to Virginia's 29 rushes.

The victory gives Duke its eighth ACC title overall, counting championships from 1953, 1954, 1955, 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1989 when the Blue Devils shared the crown with Virginia. For Duke coach Manny Diaz, it marks the program's most significant victory in decades and validates the Blue Devils' surprising march through the ACC's tiebreaker gauntlet.

Virginia's loss ends a remarkable season that saw the Cavaliers match their 1995 team with a program-record seven ACC victories. The defeat also costs Virginia an automatic berth in the College Football Playoff, though the Cavaliers could still receive an at-large bid depending on Sunday's selection committee rankings.

Duke's championship caps an improbable postseason run for a team that finished three games behind Virginia in the ACC standings but found a way to win when it mattered most. The Blue Devils will now await their bowl destination while Virginia contemplates what might have been after coming within one overtime possession of the program's first ACC Championship Game victory.

The stage is set. After four months of grueling competition, North Carolina’s high school football playoffs have whittled 256 teams down to the final 16. Regional championships delivered heart-stopping drama, defensive slugfests, and stunning upsets, and now the eight state championship matchups are locked in for next week’s trip to Chapel Hill, Hickory, and Durham.

2A: Murphy’s Defense Holds, Tarboro Rolls

In a game that felt more like January than December, Murphy leaned on its defense to grind out a 14-2 win over Starmount. The Bulldogs forced multiple turnovers and allowed only a safety, controlling the line of scrimmage in brutal conditions.

Meanwhile in the East, Tarboro flexed its muscle with a 40-0 demolition of Warren County. The Vikings suffocated defensively and scored at will, producing the most lopsided regional final of the weekend.

Championship: Tarboro vs. Murphy, Saturday, Dec. 13, 5:00 p.m. at Moretz Stadium (Lenoir-Rhyne University).

3A: Kinston Stuns Kenan, Shelby Shuts Out Lincolnton

The East Regional produced the upset of the night as Kinston dismantled previously unbeaten James Kenan 30-7, shutting down Kenan’s vaunted rushing attack and controlling the tempo throughout.

Out West, Shelby continued its dominant run with a 30-0 shutout of Lincolnton — the Golden Lions’ second straight playoff shutout, underscoring their reputation as one of the state’s most complete teams.

Championship: Kinston vs. Shelby, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2:00 p.m. at Durham County Memorial Stadium.

4A: Reidsville Survives, Brevard Breaks Through

In the game of the night, Reidsville edged West Craven 23-21 thanks to a clutch 32-yard field goal by Alex Penaloza with under two minutes to play. The Rams’ defense then held firm on West Craven’s final drive to preserve the win.

Brevard, meanwhile, handled Maiden 30-13, advancing to its first state final since 1982. The Blue Devils’ balanced attack and stout defense proved too much for the upstart Blue Devils of Maiden.

Championship: Reidsville vs. Brevard, Saturday, Dec. 13, 11:00 a.m. at Moretz Stadium (Lenoir-Rhyne University).

5A: Hunt Steady, Crest Surging

Hunt continued its methodical march with a 20-7 victory over Northside-Jacksonville, powered by special teams (a blocked punt returned for a touchdown and two field goals) and a defense that kept the Monarchs in check.

In the West, Crest’s postseason magic rolled on with a 39-21 win over Hickory. The Chargers, who had already knocked off top-seeded South Point, proved they’re no fluke with a comprehensive performance on both sides of the ball.

Championship: Hunt vs. Crest, Saturday, Dec. 13, 8:00 p.m. at Durham County Memorial Stadium.

7A: Clayton’s Heroics, Grimsley’s Grit

Clayton delivered the thriller everyone hoped for, outlasting defending champion Cardinal Gibbons 35-32. Quarterback Aiden Smalls was the star, rushing for four touchdowns and throwing the game-winning score with 33 seconds left.

In the West, Grimsley survived a defensive battle with Weddington, winning 13-7 behind timely turnovers and clutch plays from quarterback Faizon Brandon.

Championship: Clayton vs. Grimsley, Friday, Dec. 12, 8:00 p.m. at Kenan Stadium (UNC-Chapel Hill).

6A: Finals Still to Be Decided

The 6A regional championships are set for tonight (Dec. 6), with Jacksonville facing Middle Creek in the East and Watauga meeting Northern Guilford in the West.

Championship: Winners meet Friday, Dec. 12, 4:00 p.m. at Kenan Stadium.

Already Set: 1A and 8A

• 1A Championship (Thursday, Dec. 11, 4:00 p.m., Kenan Stadium): Wilson Prep’s high-powered offense vs. Robbinsville’s dominant defense.
• 8A Championship (Thursday, Dec. 11, 8:00 p.m., Kenan Stadium): Millbrook, fresh off its upset of Hoggard, faces undefeated powerhouse Hough.

State Championship Schedule

Thursday, Dec. 11 - Kenan Stadium (UNC-Chapel Hill)

• 4:00 p.m. - 1A: Wilson Prep vs. Robbinsville
• 8:00 p.m. - 8A: Millbrook vs. Hough

Friday, Dec. 12 - Kenan Stadium (UNC-Chapel Hill)

• 4:00 p.m. - 6A: Jacksonville/Middle Creek vs. Watauga/Northern Guilford
• 8:00 p.m. - 7A: Clayton vs. Grimsley

Saturday, Dec. 13 - Moretz Stadium (Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory)

• 11:00 a.m. - 4A: Reidsville vs. Brevard
• 5:00 p.m. - 2A: Tarboro vs. Murphy

Saturday, Dec. 13 - Durham County Memorial Stadium

• 2:00 p.m. - 3A: Kinston vs. Shelby
• 8:00 p.m. - 5A: Hunt vs. Crest

By the Numbers

• Closest Games: Reidsville 23-21 over West Craven; Clayton 35-32 over Cardinal Gibbons
• Biggest Blowouts: Tarboro 40-0 over Warren County; Shelby 30-0 over Lincolnton
• Lowest Scoring: Murphy 14-2 over Starmount
• Shutouts: Three (Tarboro, Shelby, Lincolnton)
• Upsets: Kinston over James Kenan; Clayton over Cardinal Gibbons

Matchups to Watch

• Offense vs. Defense: Tarboro’s explosive attack vs. Murphy’s stifling defense (2A); Wilson Prep vs. Robbinsville (1A).
• Defensive Battles: Hunt vs. Crest (5A); Murphy vs. Tarboro (2A).
• Tradition vs. Upstart: Reidsville (multiple titles) vs. Brevard (first final since 1982).
• Redemption: Clayton earns revenge by knocking off defending champ Cardinal Gibbons.

The road that began in August ends next week in Chapel Hill, Hickory, and Durham. Eight champions will be crowned. Eight dreams will be realized. And the 2025 season will reach its unforgettable conclusion.

RALEIGH – NC State left no doubt in its regular-season finale, overpowering North Carolina 42-19 at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack scored touchdowns on their first four possessions, built a 28-10 halftime lead, and never looked back, finishing 7-5 overall and 4-4 in ACC play. The Tar Heels closed their season at 4-8 (2-6).

Running back Will Wilson was the difference-maker, scoring four rushing touchdowns on just 12 carries. Quarterback CJ Bailey added balance with 201 passing yards and two scores, plus 65 rushing yards. Together, they gave NC State the kind of offensive rhythm that UNC never matched.

First-Half Control

NC State’s opening drives set the tone. Bailey capped the first with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Wesley Grimes, then Wilson finished the next with a 7-yard run. UNC answered briefly with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Gio Lopez to Jordan Shipp, but the Wolfpack responded with two more scores before halftime, including Bailey’s quick-strike drive to Justin Joly in the final minute. 

By intermission, NC State led 28-10, having scored on every possession.

Second-Half Push

UNC managed two field goals from Rece Verhoff, from 49 and 29 yards, but Lopez exited in the third quarter with an injury. Backups Max Johnson and Au’Tori Newkirk split time, with Newkirk adding a late touchdown pass to Jordan Owens. 

Wilson’s fourth-quarter touchdowns sealed the outcome, one on a 15-yard run and another after a fumble recovery set up a short field.

Defensive Edge

NC State’s defense registered four sacks and held UNC to 265 total yards. Caden Fordham led with 12 tackles and a sack. The Wolfpack also converted all four of their fourth-down attempts, underscoring their aggressive approach. 

UNC’s offense was hampered by penalties (11 flags for 129 yards) and a ground game limited to 70 yards on 24 carries.

Rivalry and Records

The win marked NC State’s fifth straight victory in the rivalry, reinforcing its recent dominance over the Tar Heels. It also secured a winning season and bowl eligibility, giving the Wolfpack momentum heading into December. 

For UNC, the loss capped a frustrating campaign defined by inconsistency. Shipp’s 90 receiving yards stood out, but the team managed just two offensive touchdowns and struggled to sustain drives.

Top Performers

NC State 

• Will Wilson: 12 carries, 54 yards, 4 TD 
• CJ Bailey: 21/30, 201 yards, 2 TD; 65 rush yards 
• Wesley Grimes: 5 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD 
• Caden Fordham: 12 tackles, 1 sack 

North Carolina 

• Jordan Shipp: 8 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD 
• Rece Verhoff: 2 FGs (49, 29 yards) 

The Takeaway

NC State didn’t just win – It controlled every phase of the game. Behind Wilson’s scoring, Bailey’s efficiency, and a defense that kept UNC off balance, the Wolfpack turned a rivalry clash into a statement. For the Tar Heels, the season ended with disappointment, while NC State heads into bowl season with confidence and momentum.

DURHAM – Duke captured its second consecutive North Carolina “state championship” with a 49-32 victory over Wake Forest on Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium, completing a season sweep of the Old North State's ACC programs.

The Blue Devils (7-5, 6-2 ACC) secured back-to-back state titles for the first time since 1961-62, defeating NC State, North Carolina and Wake Forest in successive seasons. The victory also gave Duke six ACC wins for the first time since 2013 and marked just the fourth time in program history the Blue Devils have reached that conference win total.

Quarterback Darian Mensah made history in the third quarter, throwing his 27th touchdown pass of the season to set a new Duke single-season record. The sophomore connected with Sahmir Hagans on a 30-yard scoring strike to extend the lead to 28-17 with 9:45 remaining in the third period.

Running back Nate Sheppard had a breakout performance, rushing for 75 yards and two touchdowns while establishing new Duke freshman records. His 13-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter was his ninth rushing touchdown of the season, breaking the previous freshman mark of eight. The performance also pushed Sheppard to 865 rushing yards for the year, another freshman program record.

Anderson Castle complemented Sheppard's ground game with two short touchdown runs, giving him 11 rushing scores on the season. That total ties for eighth-most in a single season in Duke program history. Castle finished with 21 yards on 12 carries.

Wake Forest (8-4, 4-4 ACC) quarterback Robby Ashford completed 27 of 43 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns, adding a rushing score as well. However, the Demon Deacons were plagued by turnovers, losing three fumbles while Ashford threw one interception.

Duke established control early, taking a 7-0 lead on its opening drive when Sheppard scored from five yards out. The 75-yard march marked the fourth time in five games the Blue Devils had scored on their first possession.

The Demon Deacons responded with a 42-yard Connor Calvert field goal to cut the deficit to 7-3, but Mensah answered on the final play of the first quarter with a four-yard touchdown run for a 14-3 Duke advantage. The score was Mensah's first rushing touchdown as a Blue Devil and second of his career.

Wake Forest's Sawyer Racanelli caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Ashford early in the second quarter to make it 14-10, but Duke responded after stopping the Demon Deacons on fourth down at their own 36-yard line. Castle's one-yard touchdown plunge with 1:38 left in the half extended the lead to 21-10.

Ashford connected with Karate Brenson on a 20-yard touchdown pass with 29 seconds remaining in the half to bring Wake Forest within 21-17 at the break.

The third quarter proved decisive for Duke. After both teams punted on their opening possessions, Mensah found Hagans for the record-breaking touchdown pass. Ashford answered with a 10-yard rushing touchdown and successful two-point conversion on the final play of the quarter to cut the deficit to 35-25.

Hagans provided the game's most explosive play moments later, returning the ensuing kickoff 80 yards to the Wake Forest 13-yard line. Sheppard capped the short drive with his record-setting ninth touchdown run, pushing the lead to 42-25 with 13:57 remaining.

Wake Forest's Ty Clark scored on a one-yard run to make it 42-32 with 11:13 left, but Duke's defense took control down the stretch. The Blue Devils forced fumbles on consecutive Wake Forest possessions, with linebacker Luke Mergott recovering two of them.

Mensah sealed the victory with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Hasley with 23 seconds remaining. The sophomore finished 24 of 35 for 268 yards and two touchdowns through the air while adding the rushing score.

Cooper Barkate led Duke's receiving corps with eight catches for 83 yards, while Sheppard added five receptions for 60 yards to complement his rushing performance.

For Wake Forest, Racanelli hauled in seven catches for 123 yards and a touchdown, while Carlos Hernandez added six receptions for 93 yards. Running back Demond Claiborne rushed for 58 yards on 13 carries.

The victory improved Duke's four-year ACC win total to 20, the second-most in program history behind only the 21 conference victories from 1960-63. The senior class tied the program record for most wins in a four-year span with 33.

Both teams will learn their bowl destinations on Dec. 7.