A year ago, Campbell went to Towson with two wins and little to play for on the final day of the regular season. The Camels led by 10 in the second half and battled to the final minute, but the game ultimately slipped away.
On Saturday in Buies Creek, the Camels faced Towson again – this time with a whole lot to play for. A similar script seemed to be unfolding in the fourth quarter, with Campbell clinging to a small lead but Towson threatening.
This time, though, the Camels changed the ending. Coach Braxton Harris’ team made four consecutive defensive stands down the stretch and escaped homecoming with a 24-20 triumph.
Campbell improved to 6-1 on the season and 3-0 against CAA opponents, matching the best start in program history. A lot can change in 11 months.
“That’s two weeks in a row we’ve had big-time stops late in the ballgame as our defense,” Harris said after the game. “Everybody thinks Campbell’s going to throw the ball around. It can’t be gritty. It can’t be tough. Well, those days are over. We’re a gritty, tough football team that finds a way to win football games.”
Towson (0-8. 0-4 CAA) led 13-10 at the half, piling up 282 yards of offense. But Kaleb Simpkins intercepted Tigers quarterback Jacob Davis on the first play of the third quarter.
Kamden Sixkiller paid off the takeaway, connecting with Jyron Waiters for a 22-yard touchdown to put the Camels on top 17-13.
Towson answered to take a 20-17 lead, but the Camels went 71 yards to move in front for good. De’Von Thomas scored his second touchdown of the day with 4:54 left in the third period.
From there, the defenses reigned. Towson missed a field goal early in the fourth, the 26-yard attempt banging off the upright. Campbell fumbled near midfield, but the Camels forced a punt a few plays later.
The Tigers started their final drive with 3:02 to go at the Campbell 45 after a short punt and a Camels penalty. Backs against the wall, Campbell stood strong. Towson stalled with 1:25 to go when Davis threw incomplete on fourth and five.
“We planned for this,” Harris said. “We told them you’re going to have to win it in the fourth quarter, and that’s exactly what took place … It shows a lot of their character and who they are.”
Stats and Notables
- Campbell’s De’Von Thomas found the end zone twice in a game for the fourth time this season on runs of 13 and 1 yards. The former Rolesville standout now has seven rushing TDs and three TDs.
- Kamden Sixkiller finished 20-of-30 for 224 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His TD throw was a 22-yarder to Jyron Waiters.
- Former Millbrook High and Wingate running back Xavier Pugh led Towson in rushing with 75 yards. He scored once and averaged 6.3 yards per carry.
- O’Marion Lewis led Campbell’s defense with 13 tackles. Kaleb Simpkins had 10 tackles and an interception.
- Jon Gullette had a 52-yard kickoff return for Campbell.
- Alex Crabb hit a 21-yard field goal and went 3-for-3 on PATs for the Camels.
- Campbell has reached the six-win plateau only four other times in its history – in 2011, 2017, 2018 and 2019. This year marks the first time the Camels have earned six wins against FCS opposition. The only loss came to FBS Florida in September.
- Campbell is one of three CAA teams with unbeaten conference records after Week 7. Monmouth improved to 4-0 in the CAA on Saturday, while Campbell and Bryant both are 3-0. Stony Brook and Albany sit at 2-1, while every other conference team has at least two losses.
What’s next for Campbell?
The Camels will head north the next two weekends, playing at Maine on Oct. 24 and at UAlbany on Oct. 31. The next home game is Nov. 7 when Stony Brook visits.
More North Carolina College Football Coverage
- Campbell Football Schedule: Find the full 2026 list of games plus results
- College Football Scores: Follow final scores and results from every North Carolina team throughout the weekend.
- Teams by Division: Find schedules and coverage for all North Carolina FBS, FCS, Division II and Division III programs.
- 2026 Statewide Standings: Follow every North Carolina team’s record throughout the season.
