The 2026 North Carolina college football season opens with one of the state’s top Division II matchups as Wingate travels to face UNC Pembroke on Thursday night in Pembroke. Wingate won nine games and made the D2 playoffs a season ago, while UNC Pembroke earned eight victories and finished as its conference runner-up.
🔄 Last Updated: May 8, 2026
🏟️ Game Information
Wingate (9-3 in 2025) at UNC Pembroke (8-3 in 2025)
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Location: Grace P. Johnson Stadium | Pembroke, NC
TV/Stream: Conference Carolinas Digital Network
📚 Series History
- Wingate leads series: 10-3
- Last meeting: Wingate 30, UNC Pembroke 21 (2025)
- Current streak: Wingate won 6 straight
Previewing the Matchup
The “I-74 Rivalry” has been a staple of the D2 season in our state since the first meeting in 2007. The two regional rivals played nearly every season through 2019, then resumed in 2024 after a five-year gap.
Last season, Wingate jumped to a 24-7 lead and held on for a 30-21 triumph on its home turf. Bulldog quarterback Elijah Holmes threw for 222 yards and two TDs, while Xavier Pugh rushed for 106 yards and one score.
We didn’t know it at the time, but last season’s opening week contest featured four eventual conference MVPs:
- Isi Etute (UNC Pembroke): Conference Carolinas Co-Defensive Player of the Year
- Hunter Turner (UNC Pembroke): Conference Carolinas Co-Lineman of the Year
- Elihu Lipscomb (Wingate): South Atlantic Conference Defensive Freshman of the Year
- Jaylen Himes (Wingate): SAC Offensive Freshman of the Year
🔍 Why This Game Matters
Wingate and UNC Pembroke enter 2026 with legitimate conference championship and Division II playoff aspirations. The winner of this year’s meeting will get an early dose of confidence and a resume-building victory in the quest to make the 28-team D2 field.
For UNC Pembroke, this game also represents another measuring-stick opportunity against one of the South Atlantic Conference’s flagship programs. Meanwhile, Wingate will try to continue its recent dominance in the series and build momentum before SAC play begins.
🔗 More NC Football Coverage
- Wingate schedule
- South Atlantic Conference standings
- UNC Pembroke schedule
- Conference Carolinas standings
- 2026 week-by-week schedule
- North Carolina college football scores
📝 Game Recap
Check back after the game for a recap, stats and observations.
