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FCS Roundup: Davidson, Campbell roll to big wins in conference openers

Davidson QB throws five TD passes in Pioneer league opener

Published

September 16, 2023

Davidson quarterback Coulter Cleland threw five touchdown passes to five different receivers on Saturday. (Photo courtesy Davidson athletics).

Coulter Cleland threw for 303 yards and five touchdowns, and Davidson won its fifth straight conference opener Saturday, beating Marist 49-21.

Making only his second career start, Cleland tossed four TD passes in the opening half. For the day, the sophomore from Racine, Ohio, finished 17-of-21 for 303 yards. His touchdowns went to five different receivers.

Davidson, which has made its name as a rushing team in recent years, improved to 1-2 overall. Cleland became the first Davidson quarterback to throw for 300-plus yards since 2014. Only three other Wildcats have enjoyed a five-TD performance.

It’s not the like Wildcats struggled to run the ball. Davidson finished with 209 rushing yards to balance out the attack. Mason Sheron gained 92 yards on 10 totes. Mari Adams added 86 yards. Each found the end zone once.

Davidson’s defense proved stern, holding Marist to 22 rushing yards. The Wildcats sacked the Red Foxes four times, forced two turnovers and had eight QB hurries.

The teams traded touchdowns in the early going before Cleland directed three straight touchdown drives to put the game out of reach. Aaron Maione, Jaleel Sales, Brody Reina, Maxwell Weaver and Christian Berry each caught Cleland touchdown throws.

Campbell 45, Monmouth 31

The Camels rallied from a 23-7 deficit to earn their first win as a CAA member on Saturday in New Jersey. NaQuari Rogers rushed for 152 yards and three touchdowns in the winning effort.

Campbell improved to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the CAA. Monmouth dropped to 1-2, 1-1 CAA. Rogers’ 32-yard touchdown scamper with 9:37 left in the fourth quarter put Campbell ahead to stay. He also scored TDs in the first and third quarters.

UCLA 59, NC Central 7

The Bruins from the soon-to-be-no-longer Pac-12 snapped the Eagles’ seven-game winning streak. UCLA rolled up 614 yards of total offense, while holding Central to 232.

NCCU (2-1) erased the shutout with a 14-play, 56-yard drive in the fourth quarter. Chris Mosley scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.

Kole Jones and Jaden Taylor recorded eight tackles to lead NC Central’s defense. Jayden Flaker intercepted a pass and made seven tackles.

Davius Richard started for NC Central but left the game in the second quarter with the score already out of hand at 35-0. Backup Walker Harris completed 12-of-18 passes for 114 yards.

Tennessee State 27, Gardner-Webb 25

James Lowrey kicked a 50-yard field goal with nine seconds left to lift Tennessee State to the victory in the Big South/OVC opener for each team.

Gardner-Webb had taken a 25-24 lead with 4:50 left on a Matthew Caldwell-to-Narii Gaither 16-yard touchdown pass. Gaither finished with 152 yards to move to third overall on the school career rushing list. He now has 2,757 career rushing yards.

Ty Anderson earned a safety for the Bulldogs. Josiah Wright had an interception.

Elon 27, NC A&T 3

The Phoenix used a stifling defense and breakout rushing attack to win their conference opener. Read more HERE.

Western Carolina 27, Eastern Kentucky 24

Branson Adams’ first career touchdown, on a TD catch late in the game, proved the difference as the Catamounts improved to 2-1. Eastern Kentucky missed a field goal as time expired.