The Friday night lights were not kind to the two North Carolina college football teams playing underneath them on Sept. 4, 2026. North Carolina A&T suffered a 59-10 loss at Georgia State in an FCS-vs.-FBS matchup, while Methodist dropped its D3 season opener 30-3 at home to Shenandoah.
🏈 North Carolina College Football Scores Today | Friday, Sept. 4
Georgia State 59, North Carolina A&T 10
The Panthers, who play in the FBS Sun Belt Conference, jumped to a 21-0 lead and coasted to a comfortable victory in Atlanta. North Carolina A&T’s points came courtesy of a 61-yard touchdown pass from Kevin White to Anthony Rucker in the second quarter and a 39-yard Asher Holland field goal in the fourth.
NC A&T starting quarterback Braxton Thomas left the game during the Aggies’ opening possession but did not return. Georgia State outgained A&T 563-209. A&T dropped to 0-2 on the young season.
Shenandoah 30, Methodist 3
Shenandoah grabbed the lead on a 62-yard interception return on Methodist’s opening possession and never trailed, while Ethan Emery’s 40-yard field goal in the second quarter provided the Monarchs’ only points.
Methodist leaders:
- Chris Clark rushed for 67 yards on 10 carries,
- Juels Huntley added 38 yards on five attempts
- Colin Fay caught four passes for 37 yards
- Theo Butler piled up a game-high 12 tackles, including 11 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss
- Zack Griffin intercepted a pass and returned it 16 yards.
- Luke Slagel had eight punts, with a 40.1 average, a 60-yard long and three inside the 20.
More North Carolina college football: The Week 1 schedule continues Saturday with games across the FBS, FCS, Division II and Division III levels. Follow NC Football News throughout the weekend for scores, results and rapid recaps from teams across the state.
