SALISBURY – Catawba scored 21 unanswered points across the second half to defeat Mars Hill 42-28 on Friday night at Shuford Stadium. The Indians improved to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play, while the Lions dropped to 3-2 and 2-1.

The game featured five lead changes and was tied 21-21 at halftime before Catawba's offense found its rhythm after the break.

Preston Brown completed 17 of 27 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns for Catawba, adding a rushing score despite losing nine yards on the ground. His ability to spread the ball around proved crucial, connecting with eight different receivers. Brown found the end zone through the air on throws of 13 yards to Kevin Lalin, 26 yards to Marquece Williams, and 18 yards to Jalen Brown.

The real story for Catawba was Lalin's performance on the ground. The running back carried 25 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-sealing 26-yard touchdown run with 2:41 remaining in the fourth quarter. Lalin added a receiving touchdown and consistently moved the chains, averaging 6.9 yards per carry.

Mars Hill quarterback JR Martin put together an impressive stat line in a losing effort, completing 25 of 40 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns. However, he threw one interception and was sacked three times for 40 yards in losses. Martin also rushed for a touchdown but managed just one net yard on 11 rushing attempts after losing 42 yards to sacks and negative plays.

The Lions opened the scoring with an 84-yard drive capped by a 62-yard touchdown pass from Martin to Edward Louis Jr. The connection tied the game at 7-7 just 1:35 after Catawba had taken an early lead. Louis Jr. finished with four catches for 90 yards and the touchdown.

Charlie Guinade emerged as Martin's favorite target, hauling in seven passes for 78 yards and a 31-yard touchdown that tied the game at 21-21 with 47 seconds left in the first half. Guinade also returned one punt for 12 yards.

The first half featured explosive plays and quick-strike scoring. Neither team punted until late in the second quarter, as the offenses combined for six touchdowns in the first 30 minutes. Mars Hill's David Hargro caught a three-yard touchdown pass to cut Catawba's lead to 21-14 in the second quarter, part of a 10-play, 75-yard drive that consumed 5:26.

Catawba's defense made the critical difference after halftime. Evan Simons led all defenders with 12 total tackles, including three tackles for loss totaling 31 yards. Simons recorded two sacks for 28 yards and intercepted Martin's pass in the first quarter, returning it 23 yards to set up the Indians' first touchdown. His quarterback pressure disrupted Mars Hill's timing throughout the second half.

The turning point came midway through the third quarter. After Mars Hill failed to sustain any offensive momentum following the halftime intermission, Catawba mounted a 10-play, 78-yard drive that culminated in Brown's 26-yard touchdown pass to Williams. The score gave Catawba a 28-21 lead with 3:22 left in the third quarter, and Mars Hill never recovered.

Early in the fourth quarter, Brown connected with Jalen Brown for an 18-yard touchdown on a six-play, 65-yard drive, extending the lead to 35-21. Mars Hill responded with Martin's eight-yard rushing touchdown to pull within 35-28, but the Lions couldn't get stops when they needed them most.

Catawba converted eight of 13 third-down attempts and went 4-for-4 in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on all four trips inside the 20-yard line. Mars Hill went 3-for-3 in the red zone but struggled on third down, converting just four of 12 attempts. The Lions also failed on all three fourth-down tries.

Bo Pryor led Catawba's receivers with seven catches for 72 yards, consistently finding soft spots in Mars Hill's coverage. Bennett Galloway added 50 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, providing a complementary rushing threat to Lalin's dominance.

Catawba controlled time of possession, holding the ball for 34:03 compared to Mars Hill's 25:57. The Indians outgained the Lions 425 to 366 in total offense and rushed for 218 yards on 43 attempts.

Bryson Sims handled all kicking duties for Catawba, converting all six extra points and averaging 62.7 yards on seven kickoffs with four touchbacks.

Key Performers:

• Kevin Lalin (CAT): 25 rushes for 173 yards and 2 TDs; 1 catch for 13 yards and 1 TD
• Evan Simons (CAT): 12 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 INT
• JR Martin (MHU): 25-40 passing, 307 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT; 1 rushing TD
• Preston Brown (CAT): 17-27 passing, 207 yards, 3 TDs; 1 rushing TD
• Charlie Guinade (MHU): 7 catches, 78 yards, 1 TD

BOONE – A goal line stand and late interception sealed a dramatic fourth quarter as the App State Mountaineers held off the Oregon State Beavers 27-23 in front of a capacity crowd at Kidd Brewer Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Mountaineers (3-2) welcomed their farthest-traveling opponent in stadium history and built a commanding 17-0 first-quarter lead before weathering a furious Oregon State comeback attempt. The Beavers (0-6) threatened to score on three separate possessions in the final period but came away empty each time, undone by a suffocating App State defense that made plays when it mattered most.

Oregon State's best scoring opportunity came late in the fourth quarter after the Beavers drove to a first-and-goal at the App State 3-yard line. Four consecutive carries by Anthony Hankerson gained just one yard total. On third down, officials initially signaled a touchdown, but replay review showed Ronnie Porter and Myles Farmer had stopped Hankerson inches short of the goal line with 1:58 remaining. On fourth down, Farmer tripped up Hankerson behind the line of scrimmage, and Colton Phares finished the tackle for a 2-yard loss to preserve the four-point lead.

The stop gave App State possession at its own 3-yard line, but the Mountaineers couldn't run out the clock. On second down, Rashod Dubinion fumbled at the goal line. Starting quarterback JJ Kohl recovered the loose ball in the end zone, conceding a safety rather than allowing Oregon State to score a go-ahead touchdown. The unintentional safety made it 27-23 with 1:40 left and forced App State to execute a free kick from the 20-yard line.

Oregon State moved quickly into scoring range following the safety, reaching the App State 25 for a first down with 25 seconds remaining. But Rondo Porter sacked Maalik Murphy for a 13-yard loss, backing the Beavers up to the 38. On the next play, Murphy found receiver Trent Walker crossing in front of the App State bench, but Juan Berchal delivered a shoulder hit that jarred the ball loose. The ball popped into the air, where Zyeir Gamble bobbled it four times before securing the game-sealing interception.

The defensive heroics capped a game that started with App State dominating. The Mountaineers forced a three-and-out on Oregon State's opening drive, then marched 55 yards in 10 plays to set up a 49-yard field goal by Dominic De Freitas.

The lead grew to 10-0 when Farmer forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff return. David Wells Jr. fumbled at the Oregon State 14, and Porter recovered at the 18. Four plays later, Kohl scrambled 6 yards for his first touchdown as a Mountaineer.

App State struck again before the first quarter ended. After a 68-yard reception by Davion Dozier moved the ball to the Oregon State 5, Dubinion punched it in from 2 yards out with 3:38 left in the period. The 17-0 margin represented the Mountaineers' largest lead of the game.

Oregon State finally broke through early in the second quarter. After missing a 28-yard field goal attempt, the Beavers capitalized on an App State punt. Murphy hit Walker for 37 yards, then Wells Jr. broke free for a 30-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 17-7.

The Mountaineers drove into Oregon State territory on the next possession but couldn't extend the lead. A dropped deep pass at the 13-yard line forced a punt, and Oregon State seized momentum. The Beavers marched 93 yards in eight plays, with Murphy connecting with Wells Jr. on a 3-yard touchdown pass to make it 17-14 at halftime.

Kohl, making his first career start in place of injured regular starter AJ Swann, answered with a strong third quarter. App State converted a fourth-and-1 from their own 33-yard line early in a 13-play, 76-yard drive that consumed more than six minutes. Kohl capped the possession with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Dozier, who made four catches for 140 yards in just his second career game.

Oregon State responded immediately. Murphy led a seven-play, 75-yard drive, finding Cornell Hatcher Jr. for a 15-yard touchdown pass to pull within 24-21.

De Freitas added a 45-yard field goal with 50 seconds left in the third quarter to push the lead back to six points at 27-21, setting up the tense fourth quarter that featured three Oregon State scoring threats and three defensive stands.

Phares opened the fourth-quarter dramatics with an end-zone interception on third-and-goal early in the period. Oregon State had driven to the App State 6 before Phares stepped in front of Murphy's pass to end the threat.

Kohl completed 13 of 28 passes for 218 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in his first start. Dubinion led the ground game with 98 yards on 19 carries and one touchdown.

Murphy completed 30 of 45 passes for 358 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He was sacked once and faced consistent pressure throughout the game. Walker caught 13 passes for 179 yards, representing more than half of Oregon State's receiving production.

Hankerson carried 19 times for 64 yards for the Beavers, who managed just 98 yards rushing as a team on 25 attempts. Oregon State outgained App State in total yardage 456-354 but committed two turnovers to App State's one and went 0-for-1 in the red zone in the fourth quarter.

Phares led App State's defense with 10 total tackles, one interception, and a tackle for loss. Emory Floyd added six tackles, while Elijah Mc-Cantos contributed six tackles and broke up a key fourth-quarter pass.

App State returns to Sun Belt Conference play next Saturday with a road game at Georgia State, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30.

Key Performers

App State:

• Davion Dozier: 4 receptions, 140 yards, 1 TD
• JJ Kohl: 13-of-28 passing, 218 yards, 1 TD
• Rashod Dubinion: 19 rushes, 98 yards, 1 TD
• Colton Phares: 10 tackles, 1 interception

Oregon State:

• Trent Walker: 13 receptions, 179 yards
• Maalik Murphy: 30-of-45 passing, 358 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
• Anthony Hankerson: 19 rushes, 64 yards

ELIZABETH CITY – Christopher Perkins delivered the signature performance Elizabeth City State had been searching for, accounting for five touchdowns as the Vikings defeated Livingstone 39-27 on Saturday afternoon at Roebuck Stadium.

The junior quarterback completed 17 of 20 passes for 190 yards and four touchdowns while adding 130 yards and another score on the ground, leading ECSU to its first win of 2025. The Vikings improved to 1-4 overall and 1-2 in CIAA play, while Livingstone dropped to 3-2 and 2-1 in conference action.

Elizabeth City State controlled possession for more than 27 minutes and racked up 397 total yards, including 197 on the ground. The Vikings converted six of 10 third-down attempts and scored on two of their four red-zone opportunities while limiting Livingstone to three conversions on 11 third-down tries.

Early Exchange Sets Stage

The Vikings opened the game with a methodical nine-play, 43-yard drive that consumed more than six minutes. Traquan Johnson capped the march with a one-yard touchdown run at the 8:47 mark of the first quarter, and Wyatt Jackson's extra point gave ECSU an early 7-0 lead.

Livingstone needed just 73 seconds to respond. On the third play of the ensuing drive, quarterback Elijah Alexander connected with Tavion Jackson on a 67-yard touchdown pass that tied the game at 7-7 with 7:13 left in the opening period.

The Vikings regained the lead late in the second quarter when Perkins broke loose on a 73-yard touchdown run, cutting through the middle of the Livingstone defense and outrunning the secondary to the end zone. The Vikings missed the extra point but led 13-7 with 9:41 remaining in the half.

That score came one play after Sterling Chavis intercepted Alexander at the ECSU five-yard line, halting a Livingstone drive that had reached the Vikings' seven. Chavis returned the pick 22 yards to give Perkins and the offense excellent field position.

Third-Quarter Surge

Elizabeth City State broke the game open in the third quarter, scoring on three consecutive possessions to build a commanding 33-7 advantage.

The onslaught began on the Vikings' opening drive of the second half, an eight-play, 64-yard march that featured a key third-down conversion when Perkins hit Troy Smith for eight yards. Two plays later, Perkins found Smith again, this time for a 30-yard touchdown pass that extended the lead to 20-7 at the 9:26 mark. Benjamin Turner's extra point was good.

After forcing a Livingstone three-and-out, ECSU took over at its own 29-yard line. Perkins was sacked for a 10-yard loss on first down, but he quickly made up for it. He completed passes to EJ Gatling and Holland for minimal gains before hitting Holland again on second-and-15 for a 29-yard gain to the Livingstone five. On the next play, Perkins found Johnson for a five-yard touchdown pass, pushing the lead to 26-7 with 6:19 left in the third.

The Vikings tacked on another score just before the end of the quarter. Following a fumble by Livingstone's Davyn Reid on the kickoff return, ECSU took over at the Blue Bears' 29. Perkins needed just two plays, scrambling 30 yards to the 20-yard line before hitting Holland for a 20-yard touchdown pass as time expired in the third quarter. Turner's kick made it 33-7.

Livingstone Responds Too Late

The Blue Bears finally found some offensive rhythm late in the third quarter. Alexander led a six-play, 51-yard drive that he finished with a two-yard touchdown run as the third quarter expired, cutting the deficit to 33-14.

Livingstone's defense then forced a three-and-out to start the fourth quarter, and the offense capitalized. Alexander directed a seven-play, 32-yard drive that he capped with a two-yard touchdown pass to Chris Washington. Jason Zapata's extra point made it 33-21 with 7:12 remaining.

But Perkins answered immediately. On the Vikings' next possession, he completed passes to Holland twice and Smith once during a seven-play, 63-yard drive. The march ended with a 34-yard touchdown strike to Shamar Sutton at the 8:14 mark, restoring the 18-point cushion at 39-21. The Vikings failed to convert the two-point attempt.

Livingstone tacked on a late score when backup quarterback Salomon Georges Jr. led a six-play, 40-yard drive and hit Ronald Lindsey for a seven-yard touchdown with 1:55 left. The two-point conversion failed, and the Vikings recovered the onside kick to seal the victory.

Balanced Attack

Perkins spread the ball effectively throughout the afternoon. Holland led all receivers with six catches for 74 yards and a touchdown, while Smith hauled in four passes for 59 yards and a score. Sutton added three receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown, and Johnson contributed one catch for five yards and a score.

On the ground, Perkins carried 15 times for 130 yards, averaging 8.7 yards per attempt. Johnson added 37 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, and Ameil Braswell chipped in 17 yards on three attempts.

For Livingstone, Jackson caught eight passes for 127 yards and a touchdown, while Lindsey had four receptions for 53 yards and a score. Alexander completed 15 of 23 passes for 187 yards, two touchdowns and one interception before giving way to Georges Jr., who finished 4-of-8 for 41 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

The Blue Bears managed just 91 yards rushing on 30 attempts. Georges Jr. led the way with 39 yards on four carries, while Javen Parker added 36 yards on eight attempts.

Defensive Contributions

ECSU's defense registered four sacks and two interceptions while forcing two fumbles. Jaevon Branch led the unit with eight tackles, including five solo stops and a sack. Caleb Gervais-Lynch recorded a sack for a 10-yard loss, Drewvon Oxendine had a five-yard sack, and Sir'Sean Ingram brought down Alexander for a three-yard loss.

Chavis finished with five tackles and his crucial red-zone interception, while Worthy added an interception in the fourth quarter that ended Livingstone's final drive.

For Livingstone, Jordan Paul led the defense with eight tackles and forced a fumble. Velson Seide added five tackles, including a sack for a six-yard loss. Kevin Larkins Jr. recorded three tackles and returned an interception 36 yards in the second quarter that set up Livingstone's final drive of the half.

Key Numbers

The Vikings dominated the possession battle, holding the ball for 27:08 compared to Livingstone's 22:21. ECSU averaged 6.5 yards per play compared to 5.2 for the Blue Bears.

Perkins was not sacked until the third quarter and finished the game having been brought down twice for 12 yards in losses. By contrast, Alexander and Georges Jr. combined to be sacked four times for 29 yards.

The Vikings also won the field-position battle, averaging 56.6 yards per kickoff compared to 35.6 for Livingstone. Jackson's seven kickoffs included one touchback and one that went out of bounds.

Both teams struggled with extra points. ECSU converted just three of five attempts, while Livingstone made three of three but failed on both two-point conversion tries.

The Vikings will look to build on this performance as they continue CIAA play, while Livingstone must regroup after surrendering 32 unanswered points over a two-quarter span.

Top Performers

• Christopher Perkins, ECSU: 17-of-20 passing, 190 yards, 4 TDs; 15 rushes, 130 yards, 1 TD
• Terrance Holland, ECSU: 6 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD
• Jaevon Branch, ECSU: 8 tackles (5 solo), 1 sack
• Tavion Jackson, Livingstone: 8 receptions, 127 yards, 1 TD
• Elijah Alexander, Livingstone: 15-of-23 passing, 187 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

RALEIGH – NC State put together a comprehensive performance Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium, defeating in-state FCS foe Campbell 56-10. The Wolfpack improved to 4-2 overall while the Fighting Camels fell to 1-5.

Quarterback CJ Bailey orchestrated the offensive showcase, completing 20 of 23 passes for 337 yards and four touchdowns. His efficient afternoon included scoring strikes to four different receivers and helped NC State pile up 607 total yards of offense.

The game began competitively enough. After NC State's opening touchdown drive, Campbell responded immediately when Kamden Sixkiller found Mike Chandler II for a 13-yard touchdown pass at the 8:54 mark of the first quarter, knotting the score at 7-7. The two-play, 14-yard drive took just 46 seconds after Campbell recovered a muffed punt at the NC State 14-yard line.

That would be Campbell's final trip to the end zone. NC State answered on the very next play from scrimmage when Hollywood Smothers broke through the middle and raced 59 yards for a touchdown just 41 seconds later, putting the Wolfpack ahead for good at 14-7.

The Wolfpack scored on seven consecutive possessions spanning from late in the first quarter through the middle of the third. Bailey connected with Cody Hardy from 37 yards out to close the first quarter scoring at 21-7. The second quarter turned into a sustained offensive clinic, with NC State adding four more touchdowns.

Smothers caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Bailey at 13:45 of the second quarter. Terrell Anderson hauled in a 34-yard scoring strike at 8:33. Running back Jayden "Duke" Scott punched in a 14-yard touchdown run at 2:28, and Justin Joly capped the first-half barrage with a 10-yard reception in the final minute before halftime. The Wolfpack took a 49-7 lead into the break.

The ground game complemented the passing attack effectively. Smothers finished with 123 yards on just four carries, averaging 30.8 yards per attempt. Scott added 89 yards and two touchdowns on 10 attempts. As a team, NC State rushed for 236 yards on 26 carries, averaging 9.1 yards per attempt.

Campbell's offense struggled to generate sustained momentum after the opening quarter. The Fighting Camels managed just 188 total yards, 67 rushing and 121 passing. They converted only four of 16 third-down attempts and failed on both fourth-down tries. Campbell's time of possession advantage (33:00 to 27:00) reflected the Wolfpack's efficiency rather than any sustained offensive success from the visitors.

JJ Cowan led Campbell's rushing attack with 48 yards on 12 carries. Sixkiller completed 12 of 22 passes for 87 yards and the lone touchdown before giving way to backup quarterbacks Jalen Ferguson and Mike Chandler II. Trevor Wilson caught four passes for 18 yards to lead the receiving corps.

Scott added his second and third touchdowns in the third quarter, the latter a two-yard run at 6:06 that extended the lead to 56-7. With the outcome decided, both teams emptied their benches. NC State quarterbacks Lex Thomas and Will Wilson saw action in relief of Bailey, combining to complete five of 11 passes for 34 yards.

Campbell's only points of the second half came on a 46-yard field goal by Alex Crabb with 4:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, capping a four-play, 12-yard drive that began after Ravel Cato's interception gave the Fighting Camels possession at the NC State 41.

Defensively, NC State recorded two sacks for 18 yards and seven tackles for loss totaling 28 yards. Sabastian Harsh led the pass rush with 1.5 sacks for 12 yards. Kenny Soares Jr. paced the defense with nine total tackles (two solo, seven assists). The Wolfpack held Campbell to an average of 2.9 yards per play.

Campbell's defense forced two fumbles but recovered only one. The Fighting Camels recorded two tackles for loss and intercepted one pass, Cato's fourth-quarter pick that he returned 33 yards to set up the field goal. Tyrek Brown and Jojo Pace each finished with six tackles to lead the unit.

NC State's offensive balance proved overwhelming. The Wolfpack averaged 10.9 yards per pass attempt and 14.8 yards per completion. Bailey's touchdown passes covered 37, 16, 34, and 10 yards, spreading the scoring opportunities across the receiving corps. Anderson (50 yards), Noah Rogers (62 yards), and Keenan Jackson (43 yards) provided downfield threats that kept Campbell's defense stretched thin.

Campbell showed some resilience with a 10-play drive to open the second half, reaching the NC State 43, but turned the ball over on downs. Another eight-play, 34-yard possession in the third quarter also ended with a punt. But the Fighting Camels never seriously threatened after falling behind 14-7 early in the first quarter.

The victory gave NC State its fourth win of the season and snapped a two-game conference losing streak. For Campbell, the loss continued a difficult stretch that has seen the Fighting Camels drop four of their last five games since opening the season with a conference win.

Key Performers

NC State:

• CJ Bailey: 20-of-23 passing, 337 yards, 4 TDs
• Hollywood Smothers: 4 rushes, 123 yards, 1 TD; 2 receptions, 30 yards, 1 TD
• Jayden "Duke" Scott: 10 rushes, 89 yards, 2 TDs
• Noah Rogers: 3 receptions, 62 yards
• Terrell Anderson: 2 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD

Campbell:

• JJ Cowan: 12 rushes, 48 yards
• Mike Chandler II: 2 receptions, 24 yards, 1 TD
• Kamden Sixkiller: 12-of-22 passing, 87 yards, 1 TD
• Kenny Soares Jr. (NC State): 9 tackles

BLACKSBURG, VA – Wake Forest converted when it mattered most Saturday at Lane Stadium, defeating Virginia Tech 30-23 in a game that showcased two contrasting halves and came down to a final defensive stand in Blacksburg.

The Deacons improved to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play behind quarterback Robby Ashford's 256 passing yards and a balanced offensive attack that racked up 347 total yards. Virginia Tech dropped to 2-4 and 1-1 in conference action despite outgaining Wake Forest on the ground 152-91.

Wake Forest's offense found its rhythm in the second quarter after a slow start. Trailing 7-3 early in the period, the Deacons scored three touchdowns in a span of 10 minutes and 51 seconds to seize control. Running back Demond Claiborne capped a nine-play, 75-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run to put Wake Forest ahead 10-7. After Virginia Tech responded with a touchdown pass from Kyron Drones to Takye Heath, the Deacons answered immediately with a seven-play, 55-yard march that ended with Ty Clark's 3-yard scoring plunge.

The most impressive drive came with just 1:39 remaining in the half. Starting from the Virginia Tech 44-yard line following a punt, Wake Forest moved quickly down the field. Ashford completed passes of 6 and 17 yards to Carlos Hernandez and Micah Mays Jr., then scrambled for 3 yards before finding Eni Falayi for an 11-yard touchdown with 10 seconds left in the half. The seven-play sequence gave Wake Forest a 24-14 halftime advantage and all the momentum.

Virginia Tech refused to fold in the second half. The Hokies dominated the third quarter, holding possession for 10 minutes and 19 seconds while scoring nine points. A 12-play, 60-yard drive resulted in John Love's 32-yard field goal. After forcing a three-and-out, Virginia Tech added another Love field goal from 38 yards. When Wake Forest answered with Connor Calvert's 29-yard field goal, the Hokies drove again, this time converting a turnover into three more points. Isaiah Brown-Murray's interception of Ashford at the Wake Forest 15-yard line set up Love's third field goal of the quarter, a 34-yarder that cut the deficit to 27-23 heading into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter belonged to Wake Forest's ability to sustain drives and keep the Hokies' offense off the field. The decisive series began at the Wake Forest 31-yard line with 8:44 remaining. Ashford efficiently moved the chains, converting three third downs during the 13-play drive. A pass interference penalty on Virginia Tech's Jordan Bass moved the ball to the Hokies 26, and Wake Forest methodically worked the clock down. Facing fourth-and-5 from the Virginia Tech 10, Calvert connected on a 27-yard field goal with 2:14 left to extend the lead to 30-23.

Virginia Tech's final possession began at its own 25-yard line with 2:08 remaining. Drones scrambled for 4 yards on first down, but the drive stalled quickly. An incompletion to P.J. Prioleau was followed by another incompletion under pressure from Karon Prunty. On fourth-and-6, Drones looked deep for Heath, but Nick Andersen broke up the pass at the Wake Forest 45-yard line, ending Virginia Tech's comeback hopes with 1:43 on the clock.

Ashford completed 24 of 39 passes with one touchdown and one interception. He also contributed on the ground with 22 yards on 13 carries, though he lost 17 yards on sacks. His primary targets were Hernandez and Chris Barnes, who each caught five passes. Hernandez gained 51 yards while Barnes added 21 yards and 21 rushing yards. Sawyer Racanelli provided the big-play element with three catches for 88 yards, including a 62-yard reception in the third quarter that set up Calvert's field goal.

Claiborne and Clark shared the workload in the backfield. Claiborne carried seven times for 29 yards and a touchdown, while Clark had four carries for 22 yards and a score. Clark also contributed three receptions for 18 yards. Falayi caught four passes for 50 yards and a touchdown.

Virginia Tech's ground game featured three capable runners. Terion Stewart led the way with nine carries for 62 yards, including a 43-yard burst in the second quarter. Malachi Hawkins added 11 carries for 48 yards and a touchdown. Drones carried 13 times for 36 yards but lost 20 on sacks, finishing with a modest 2.8 yards per carry average.

Drones completed 14 of 28 passes for 111 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He was sacked twice, losing 19 yards. Donavon Greene led the receiving corps with four catches for 52 yards, while Heath had three receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown before leaving with an injury in the fourth quarter.

Wake Forest's defense recorded two sacks and seven tackles for loss totaling 25 yards. Davaughn Patterson led all defenders with eight total tackles (three solo, five assists). Nick Andersen added seven tackles and contributed to pressure throughout the afternoon. Langston Hardy registered one sack for 11 yards, while Nuer Gatkuoth recorded one sack for 8 yards and came up with the critical fourth-quarter stop on Drones.

Virginia Tech's defense was led by Ben Bell, who finished with nine total tackles (two solo, seven assists). Jaden Keller added seven tackles and one tackle for loss. Jason Abbey recorded the Hokies' only sack, a 17-yard loss that led to an intentional grounding penalty in the second quarter.

Special teams played a supporting role throughout. Calvert made all three of his field goal attempts for Wake Forest (33, 29, and 27 yards) and converted all three extra points. Love went 3-for-4 on field goals for Virginia Tech, missing a 49-yarder in the fourth quarter that could have made the final minutes more manageable for the Hokies.

Top Performers:

• Robby Ashford, Wake Forest: 24-of-39 passing, 256 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Sawyer Racanelli, Wake Forest: 3 receptions, 88 yards  
• Terion Stewart, Virginia Tech: 9 carries, 62 yards
• Davaughn Patterson, Wake Forest: 8 total tackles (3 solo, 5 assists), 1 TFL
• Connor Calvert, Wake Forest: 3-of-3 field goals, 3-of-3 extra points

CHAPEL HILL – Clemson scored 35 first-half points and never looked back, defeating North Carolina 38-10 on Saturday afternoon at Kenan Stadium. The Tigers improved to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play, while the Tar Heels dropped to 2-3 and 0-1.

The visitors wasted no time establishing control. On the game's opening drive, quarterback Antonio Williams connected with T.J. Moore for a 75-yard touchdown pass just 11 seconds into the contest. The one-play, 11-second drive set the tone for an afternoon that would see Clemson's passing attack overwhelm the Tar Heels' secondary.

North Carolina answered with its only sustained drive of the first half, marching 58 yards over 10 plays to set up Rece Verhoff's 35-yard field goal. The 7-3 score represented the closest the Tar Heels would come the rest of the afternoon.

Cade Klubnik took over under center for Clemson and orchestrated three touchdown drives before halftime. He found Adam Randall for a 35-yard score to cap a three-play, 75-yard drive that took just 68 seconds. Later in the quarter, Klubnik hit Christian Bentancur for 45 yards and another touchdown, extending the lead to 21-3. With one second remaining in the first quarter, Klubnik and Randall connected again, this time from 23 yards out, pushing the advantage to 28-3.

The second quarter featured more of the same. Clemson drove 37 yards in six plays, with Klubnik finding Bentancur for an 8-yard touchdown with 2:02 left in the half. The Tigers took a commanding 35-3 lead into the locker room, effectively ending any suspense about the outcome.

Klubnik finished 22-of-24 passing for 254 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. His efficiency was remarkable, completing nearly 92 percent of his attempts and averaging 10.6 yards per completion. Williams, who started the game, was perfect on his lone attempt for 75 yards and a score.

North Carolina quarterback Max Johnson completed 26 of 42 passes for 213 yards but failed to throw a touchdown. The Tar Heels' passing game managed just 5.1 yards per attempt compared to Clemson's 10.2, a disparity that defined the game's flow.

Randall emerged as Clemson's most versatile weapon. He caught four passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns while also contributing 30 yards on eight rushing attempts. Moore led all receivers with 108 yards on five catches, with his opening touchdown accounting for most of that production.

The third quarter passed without any scoring, as both offenses stalled. Clemson punted once and converted a 14-play drive into a field goal attempt that set up the fourth quarter scoring. North Carolina attempted a 50-yard field goal by Verhoff that sailed wide, one of the few times the Tar Heels ventured into Tiger territory during the second half.

Clemson added to its lead early in the fourth quarter when Nolan Hauser connected on a 27-yard field goal, capping a 14-play, 55-yard drive that consumed 5:20 of clock. The field goal came after the Tigers moved from their own 36 to the North Carolina 9-yard line before the drive stalled.

North Carolina's only touchdown came with 10:25 remaining when Benjamin Hall powered in from 11 yards out. The score completed a five-play, 75-yard drive that took 2:55, but by then Clemson led 38-3 and had inserted backup quarterback Christopher Vizzina into the game.

The Tigers' defense held North Carolina to 270 total yards, including just 57 on the ground. The Tar Heels averaged 3.2 yards per rush on 18 attempts, never establishing the ground game necessary to keep drives alive. North Carolina converted just two of 11 third-down attempts and failed on its only fourth-down try.

Clemson's offensive balance kept the Tar Heels' defense off-balance throughout. The Tigers accumulated 488 total yards, distributing the ball to 14 different receivers. Bentancur caught two passes for 53 yards and two scores, while Bryant Wesco Jr. added 42 yards on two receptions.

Defensively, Jaiden Patterson led North Carolina with six solo tackles, while Khmori House contributed seven total tackles with two unassisted. For Clemson, Tyler Venables and Sammy Brown each recorded five tackles, with Brown adding half a tackle for loss.

Key Performances

Clemson:

• Cade Klubnik: 22-of-24 passing, 254 yards, 4 TDs
• T.J. Moore: 5 receptions, 108 yards, 1 TD
• Adam Randall: 4 receptions, 73 yards, 2 TDs; 8 rushes, 30 yards
• Christian Bentancur: 2 receptions, 53 yards, 2 TDs

North Carolina:

• Max Johnson: 26-of-42 passing, 213 yards
• Benjamin Hall: 5 rushes, 24 yards, 1 TD; 1 reception, 14 yards
• Jordan Shipp: 5 receptions, 41 yards
• Jaiden Patterson: 6 solo tackles

BUIES CREEK – Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens threw for 427 yards and four touchdowns, but it was wide receiver James Tyre's surprising 61-yard touchdown pass that sealed a wild 42-35 victory over Campbell on Saturday afternoon at Barker-Lane Stadium.

The Catamounts (2-3) built a commanding 35-10 lead early in the third quarter before watching Campbell (1-4) mount a furious comeback that brought the Camels within seven points twice in the fourth quarter. Just when it appeared Campbell might complete the rally, Tyre, a former high school quarterback, delivered the decisive blow with 4:19 remaining.

After Campbell had cut the lead to 35-28 on Stevie Keener's 26-yard touchdown reception, Western Carolina needed just two plays and 39 seconds to restore its two-score advantage. Dickens found Tyre for 14 yards on first down, then Tyre took an end-around reverse and launched a perfect strike downfield to Painter Richards-Baker, who outran the Campbell secondary for the 61-yard score.

"That play put us back in control when we needed it most," could have been said about Tyre's heroics, as the Suwanee, Georgia native finished with six catches for 101 yards receiving while adding 47 return yards on two punts for a game-high 148 all-purpose yards.

The victory marked Western Carolina's second straight win and first-ever triumph in the series against Campbell. More importantly, it showcased the Catamounts' offensive balance under Dickens, who completed passes to 11 different receivers while adding 35 rushing yards.

Western Carolina dominated the first half, racing to a 28-3 lead behind Dickens' precision passing. The redshirt sophomore found tight end Brayden Blackmon for 17 yards in the second quarter, then connected with Marcus Striggles for 32 yards and David Hulbert for 9 yards to build the commanding advantage.

The early momentum began with defense turning into offense. After Campbell turned the ball over on downs at Western Carolina's 35-yard line on the game's opening drive, the Camels appeared poised to capitalize when they forced a three-and-out. Instead, Hasaan Sykes intercepted Kamden Sixkiller at the Campbell 12-yard line, setting up Camury Reid's 1-yard touchdown plunge at 10:37 of the first quarter.

Campbell managed just three points in the first 31 minutes, settling for Alex Crabb's 32-yard field goal after missing a 41-yarder earlier in the second quarter. But the Camels showed their resilience with a 12-play, 83-yard drive capped by Sixkiller's 12-yard rushing touchdown just before halftime, cutting the deficit to 28-10.

The third quarter began ominously for Campbell when James Tyre returned a punt 47 yards to the Camels' 34-yard line, leading to Patrick Boyd Jr.'s 10-yard touchdown reception that extended Western Carolina's lead to 35-10 with 11:11 remaining in the period.

What followed was a dramatic Campbell revival. Mike Chandler II, who threw for 79 yards on just two completions while adding 19 rushing yards, scored on a 10-yard run and connected with Trevor Wilson for the two-point conversion, trimming the lead to 35-18.

The fourth quarter belonged to Campbell's comeback attempt and Western Carolina's clutch response. Crabb's 21-yard field goal made it 35-21 with 13:12 remaining, then Sixkiller found freshman Keener for his first career touchdown reception, a 26-yard strike that brought the Camels within 35-28 with 4:58 on the clock.

Sixkiller, who finished 18-of-45 for 205 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception, added 55 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. His mobility kept drives alive throughout Campbell's second-half surge, though he also lost a fumble that Western Carolina recovered.

After Tyre's touchdown pass restored the two-score lead, Campbell refused to quit. Sixkiller orchestrated an eight-play, 65-yard drive culminating in his second rushing touchdown with 2:11 remaining, setting up a dramatic finish.

The Camels' onside kick was recovered by Richards-Baker, giving Western Carolina possession at its own 47-yard line. Facing fourth-and-1 at the Campbell 38 with under two minutes remaining, the Catamounts turned to Tyre again. The versatile receiver hauled in his sixth catch of the day for the crucial first down, allowing Western Carolina to run out the clock.

Defensively, Western Carolina was paced by linebacker Jordan Thompson, who recorded 11 tackles including 2.5 for loss and a sack. The performance matched his career high and marked his second double-digit tackle game. Caleb Fisher contributed four tackles with two for loss and a sack-fumble, while the Catamounts totaled nine tackles for loss as a team.

Campbell's defense, led by Kalen Villanueva's 11 tackles, created pressure with Justin Garza recording a strip sack among the Camels' two forced fumbles in the second half. However, Western Carolina's balanced offensive attack proved too much, as the Catamounts accumulated 564 total yards with 488 coming through the air.

Beyond Tyre and Richards-Baker, Western Carolina received significant contributions from several receivers. Freshman Michael Rossin caught three passes for 88 yards, while Malik Knight added four receptions for 76 yards. Reid, coming off a four-touchdown performance the previous week, managed 43 rushing yards on 11 carries to complement his early scoring run.

For Campbell, Trayjen Llanas-Wilcox emerged as the leading receiver with five catches for 124 yards, establishing a career high in a Campbell uniform. The Camels' ground game generated 153 yards on 37 attempts, with Naieem Kearney contributing 46 yards and Ethan Lawrence adding 30 yards on just five carries.

The statistical battle revealed Western Carolina's efficiency advantage. While Campbell controlled possession for 36:40 compared to Western Carolina's 23:20, the Catamounts averaged 8.1 yards per play versus Campbell's 5.1. Western Carolina also converted more effectively on third downs (2-of-11) than the raw numbers suggest, as several big plays eliminated third-down situations entirely.

Special teams played a significant role throughout the contest. Beyond Tyre's crucial punt return, Western Carolina's Stephen Brantley averaged 49.4 yards on five punts, while Campbell's Aiden Bonde averaged 46.1 yards on seven attempts. Crabb's field goal accuracy (2-of-3) kept Campbell within striking distance during the comeback bid.

The victory positions Western Carolina for Southern Conference play, having completed its nonconference schedule with momentum. The Catamounts will travel to face Wofford next Saturday in their first game outside North Carolina this season, while Campbell prepares for a challenging road test against NC State in Raleigh.

Key Performers:

• James Tyre (WCU): 6 catches, 101 yards, 47 punt return yards, 1 TD pass
• Taron Dickens (WCU): 26-40, 427 yards, 4 TD passes
• Painter Richards-Baker (WCU): 5 catches, 99 yards, 1 TD
• Jordan Thompson (WCU): 11 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack
• Kamden Sixkiller (Campbell): 18-45, 205 yards, 1 TD pass, 55 rush yards, 2 rush TDs
• Trayjen Llanas-Wilcox (Campbell): 5 catches, 124 yards