Who rules the state’s FCS division this season? We’ve already had multiple head-to-head showdowns to help decide those bragging rights, and we get another one this weekend.
Elon will host Western Carolina in a renewal of old acquaintances from the Southern Conference (2003-13). Elon is currently ranked No. 1 in our latest FCS All-North Carolina power rankings, while Western Carolina sits in fourth.
While this will be a non-conference game this year, it will be pivotal for both as they pursue FCS playoff berths.
North Carolina A&T and Campbell joined the Coastal Athletic Association last year, and each will begin their second loop through conference play this week. A&T hosts Delaware, while Campbell travels to Rhode Island.
Gardner-Webb takes on its second FBS opponent in as many weeks, visiting Charlotte. North Carolina Central, meanwhile, while tackle the North Carolina Tar Heels in their own FCS vs. FBS challenge.
Davidson hosts an NAIA foe, Point University, in its second game in its new stadium.
Delaware (1-0) at North Carolina A&T (1-1) | 1 p.m.
The Blue Hens are taking their last laps in FCS this season, preparing for a move to FBS Conference USA in 2025. Delaware will not be eligible for the CAA title or post-season play.
Delaware opened its season Aug. 29, defeating Bryant 48-17, but did not have a game this past Saturday. Quarterback Ryan O’Connor completed 29-of-41 passes for 245 yards and four TDs in the Bryant win. Nine different receivers caught passes.
North Carolina A&T has played twice, falling to FBS Wake Forest 45-13 in week one and rallying past Winston-Salem State 27-20 in overtime this past weekend. The Aggies, who struggled to move the ball a year ago, have been able to establish the run so far this season. Coach Vincent Brown’s team has averaged 209.5 yards on the ground, 10th best in FCS.
Delaware won 21-6 at home against A&T last season, putting two rushers over 100 yards. The only other meeting between the schools came in 1978, a 26-0 Blue Hens triumph.
Gardner-Webb (0-2) at Charlotte (0-2) | 6 p.m.
Both teams share a common opponent, James Madison. Charlotte lost to the Dukes 30-7 at home on opening night. Gardner-Webb battled JMU to the wire this past Saturday before falling 13-6. Those results would suggest a close game, and the latest lines on Thursday night listed Charlotte as a 11.5 point favorite (the game had opened with the Niners as 32.5 point favorites).
The Bulldogs defense has been stingy so far, allowing only three TDs. But the GWU offense has managed only two trips to the end zone, going 0-for-4 in the red zone. Quarterback Tyler Ridell has thrown for 398 yards but has more interceptions (2) than TD throws (1).
True freshman DeShawn Purdie is set to get his first start at quarterback for Charlotte. The 18-year-old from Baltimore relieved Max Brown against UNC on Saturday after an injury and engineered a scoring drive on his first series. He was 9-for-19 for 134 yards.
Western Carolina (0-2) at Elon (1-1) | 6 p.m.
This will be a battle of teams seemingly going in different directions after both entered the season to high acclaim.
Western Carolina played NC State tough for three quarters on opening night, but things have been rough since then. The Wolfpack closed on a 21-0 run, and Campbell stormed into Cullowhee this past Saturday and stunned the Catamounts 24-16.
WCU committed five turnovers against the Camels, including four interceptions from preseason All-America quarterback Cole Gonzales. The offense was held out of the end zone, and after leading the FCS in total yards-per-game a year ago (500+), only managed 287 yards against Campbell.
Elon’s defense will present another stiff challenge. The Phoenix stoppers held their own against Duke in week one, refusing to give up the deep ball time and again. Elon picked off three passes last week against North Carolina Central, returning one for a score, in a 41-19 triumph.
Elon freshman TJ Thomas rushed for 163 yards and a 74-yard touchdown dash against Central. Punter Jeff Yurk leads FCS with a 51.1 yards-per-punt average.
Campbell (1-1) at Rhode Island (1-1) | 6 p.m.
Campbell coach Braxton Harris said after the spring game in April that the Camels program was a sleeping giant about to awake. While he was speaking more in the long term, Saturday’s win over Western Carolina did send signals that something special could be brewing in Buies Creek.
Chad Mascoe Jr. threw for 300+ yards and hit VJ Wilkins for a pair of scoring strikes. Jalen Brooks earned CAA defensive honors with a 12-tackle, one-interception game. The Camels defense forced five turnovers. Sincere Brown had 108 yards in receptions and currently leads the CAA in total receiving yards (234).
Harris’ team will be road warriors for a third straight week, one of the few North Carolina teams traveling out of state. Campbell, which joined the CAA a year ago, has never played Rhode Island in football.
Rhody opened the season with a 20-17 win over Holy Cross before suffering a 48-0 loss at Minnesota. The Rams have one of the top linebackers in the conference in Cole Brockwell. He has 19 tackles so far, including a career best 13 against Minnesota.
North Carolina Central (1-1) at North Carolina (2-0) | 6 p.m.
The Tar Heels play a team from Durham every season, but this will be the first-ever football meeting between UNC and North Carolina Central.
NCCU is coming off its first home loss since 2021, a 41-19 defeat to Elon, after beating Alabama State in a Miami HBCU classic in week one. UNC improved to 2-0 with a 38-20 triumph over Charlotte.
NC Central is 0-7 all-time against ACC opponents — each game coming against Duke. The Eagles have four North Carolina teams on their schedule this season, with Campbell and rival North Carolina A&T still on deck before MEAC play begins.
Point University (0-2) at Davidson (1-1) | 7 p.m.
This could be another stat-padding night for the Wildcats, who rushed for 399 yards and scored on seven of their 10 possessions last week against Catawba. Point University competes in the NAIA ranks and is coming off a 4-7 season (3-3 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference).
This will be the first meeting between the schools. Davidson scored 84 points against an NAIA squad from the Appalachian Athletic a year ago.
Davidson’s Scott Abell is closing in on the school record for wins by a head coach. He’s at 42 and needs three more wins to put the record in his name.
