College football returned to North Carolina on Thursday night — and opening night delivered an upset right away.
UNC Pembroke erased a 13-point halftime deficit to knock off No. 22 Wingate 21-13 in the night’s only all-North Carolina matchup, while Elon rolled past Glenville State 42-7.
Elsewhere, Concord spoiled Davidson’s opener with a 41-35 victory, Gardner-Webb fell 35-17 at nationally ranked Austin Peay and Barton lost 44-17 at Virginia State.
Here’s a look at Thursday night’s final scores and rapid recaps.
🏈 North Carolina College Football Scores & Rapid Recaps | Thursday, Aug. 27
Elon 42, Glenville State 7 – FINAL
Brady Stober threw two touchdown passes and rushed for another score in his debut as Elon’s starting quarterback, and the Phoenix cruised to a season’s opening win in the first-ever meeting between the schools. Jimmyll Williams scored two touchdowns on the ground. Ben Kirsch, Jamarien Dalton and Jaedon Alford each caught TD passes. Elon led 21-0 at the half and 35-7 after three quarters.
UNC Pembroke 21, Wingate 13 – FINAL
UNC Pembroke erased a 13-point halftime deficit to knock off No. 22 Wingate 21-13 in Thursday night’s season opener. Josh Ehrlich helped spark the Braves’ comeback with a rushing touchdown and a touchdown pass, while the UNCP defense delivered the decisive blow when Myles Hudson returned an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The victory snapped Wingate’s six-game winning streak in the series and gave the Braves an early statement win against a nationally ranked opponent.
No. 17/18 Austin Peay 35, Gardner-Webb 17 – FINAL
Chris Parson threw for 308 yards and a score, and Austin Peay rushed for four touchdowns in a home win over the Runnin’ Bulldogs. Gardner-Webb led 3-0 and 10-7 early after a Ty Simpson field goal and a 43-yard TD pass from Cole Pennington to Jalile Bost. But the Governors pulled away in the second half.
Virginia State 44, Barton 17 – FINAL
Virginia State scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to pull away and spoil Barton’s season opener. Rahsaan Matthews Jr. threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns for VSU. Barton got touchdowns from Jayden Brown (2-yard run) and Tyler Davis (20-yard reception from Cam Estep).
Concord 41, Davidson 35 – FINAL
The Wildcats suffered a season’s opening loss to the D2 Lions from the Mountain East Conference. The game was tied 28-28 at the half. Concord took a 35-28 lead early in the third quarter on a 33-yard pick-six by S. Horn Jr. and never lost it.
Original Pregame Preview & Notes
The information below was published before Thursday night’s games and includes our original opening-night preview, storylines and players to watch.
🔍 What to Watch
- Wingate-UNC Pembroke is the headliner: Wingate enters with national top 25 and conference title expectations, while UNCP begins another season as one of Conference Carolinas’ top contenders. It’s also the only all-North Carolina matchup of the night.
- New-look Elon has high expectations: The Phoenix lost several key players to FBS programs during the offseason but reloaded through the transfer portal and high school recruiting. Thursday provides the first look at the retooled roster.
- A new era at Gardner-Webb: Kris McCullough makes his coaching debut as the Runnin’ Bulldogs travel to face a nationally ranked Austin Peay team.
- Davidson gets the first look at 2026: The Wildcats open at home against Concord, aiming to improve upon a two-win campaign last season.
- Barton faces an immediate CIAA measuring stick. The Bulldogs open on the road against Virginia State with a roster that includes plenty of new faces.
- Who wins the QB jobs? Wingate, UNC Pembroke and Barton all entered preseason camp with competition at quarterback and no officially named starter. Opening night should finally provide the answers — and our first live look at the three in action.
🔥 Names Who Could Define the Night
- Brady Stober, QB, Elon: The much-hyped transfer quarterback and former Hickory High star makes his Elon debut as the Phoenix’s new starter. Stober has been one of the more intriguing additions to an FCS roster in the state this offseason.
- Carson Gresock, RB, Gardner-Webb: The preseason All-American stands ready to lead the Gardner-Webb rushing attack. He’ll get an immediate test against a nationally ranked Austin Peay team.
- Brodie Carroll, LB, Elon: One of the state’s most productive tacklers could start another stat-stuffing season against Division II Glenville State.
- Chris Parson, QB, Austin Peay: One of the FCS quarterbacks worth knowing nationally — and potentially a major problem for Gardner-Webb’s defense in its opener.
- Will Hart, OL, Wingate: One of North Carolina’s top returning Division II offensive linemen and a D2Football Elite 100 preseason selection anchors the Bulldogs up front.
📅 What’s Next?
Opening weekend continues on Friday night (Aug. 28) with Lenoir-Rhyne hosting perennial CIAA contender Virginia Union. The two teams last met in the 2024 playoffs, and this contest should have a playoff vibe on 828 Day in Hickory.
👉 Find all statewide scores at our North Carolina College Football Scoreboard
👉 See who’s playing this weekend and when by visiting our North Carolina College Football Master Schedule page.
