As the 2024 FCS regular season concluded Saturday, North Carolina’s teams delivered a mix of dominant wins and heartbreaking losses. Here’s a look at five games involving North Carolina FCS programs. (Click here to read more about Western Carolina’s 47-42 conquest of Samford).
North Carolina Central Dominates Delaware State, 52-10
DOVER, Del. – The Eagles (8-3, 4-1 MEAC) imposed their will on both sides of the ball, cruising to their fourth MEAC win and positioning themselves for a potential FCS playoff berth.
Freshman quarterback Joshua Jones accounted for four touchdowns—three rushing and one passing. The Eagles wasted no time, as Jones capped the opening drive with a six-yard rushing touchdown to give NCCU a 7-0 lead just four minutes into the game. He added another rushing score later in the first quarter, this time from two yards out.
The defense joined the scoring spree shortly after, as Eric Adams intercepted Delaware State quarterback C.J. Henry and returned it 63 yards to extend the lead to 21-0. Another defensive highlight came in the second quarter, when Isaiah Norris picked off Henry for a 37-yard pick-six, giving NCCU a 35-3 advantage at halftime.
Offensively, the Eagles racked up 427 total yards, including 228 on the ground. Running back J’Mari Taylor added a three-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, continuing NCCU’s dominance.
The highlight of the second half came from kicker Juan Velarde, who drilled a school-record 53-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, making it 52-3. Jones capped off his standout day with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Chance Peterson late in the third quarter. Jones finished with 200 passing yards, 57 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns in one of the best performances of his young career.
Defensively, the Eagles forced a season-high five turnovers, including three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. For the seventh time this season, the Eagles held their opponent to under 300 total yards, with Delaware State managing just 284.
The Hornets (1-11, 0-5 MEAC) scored their lone touchdown in the fourth quarter, breaking NCCU’s streak of 10 consecutive quarters without allowing a touchdown.
The Eagles now turn their attention to Sunday’s FCS Playoff selection show, hoping to make the 24-team field for the second consecutive year.
Elon Tops North Carolina A&T, 31-21
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Phoenix (6-6, 5-3 CAA) ended their year with a four-game winning streak and continued their dominance in regular season finales, winning their fourth straight.
Quarterback Matthew Downing delivered an efficient performance, completing 16-of-21 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns. The Phoenix never trailed in the game and jumped out to a commanding 31-7 lead before holding off two late scores by the Aggies.
After trading punts on their opening possessions, Downing found Jamarian Dalton on a crossing route for a 30-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter. Following an A&T touchdown that tied the game at 7-7, Elon capitalized on a bad snap by the Aggies, recovering the fumble in the red zone. Kicker Luke Barnes drilled a 38-yard field goal to give Elon a 10-7 lead.
The Phoenix closed the first half strong with a methodical 53-yard drive highlighted by a 26-yard reception by Chandler Brayboy. Downing punched in a one-yard rushing touchdown to extend the lead to 17-7 at halftime.
Elon opened the second half with a 10-play, 78-yard drive capped by Julian Bumper’s first career touchdown, making it 24-7. Another bad snap by the Aggies led to a fumble recovery by Asher Cunningham, setting up a five-yard touchdown pass from Downing to Brayboy, pushing the lead to 31-7.
The Aggies (1-11, 0-8 CAA) scored twice late in the game, including a 97-yard kickoff return by Cortez Lane. But it wasn’t enough to overcome Elon’s commanding lead. Rushawn Baker rushed for 106 yards on 23 carries, his fourth straight 100-yard game. Brayboy had a career day, hauling in 12 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown—the most receptions by an Elon player since 2018.
Defensively, Cazeem Moore led the Phoenix with two sacks, a forced fumble, and a quarterback hurry. Elon finished the game +3 in turnover margin and tied the program’s FCS record for conference wins over a four-year stretch with 22.
Valparaiso Stuns Davidson, 18-17
VALPARAISO, Ind. – A last-second miracle cost Davidson its season finale, as Valparaiso rallied for an 18-17 victory on a touchdown pass as time expired, followed by a successful two-point conversion.
Davidson (6-5, 4-4 PFL) relied on its rushing attack, with Mason Sheron running for 110 yards and Mari Adams adding 94 yards and a touchdown. However, an errant punt in the final seconds gave Valpo a short field, setting up Caron Tyler’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Gary Givens. The Wildcats close the season at .500 in league play.
Campbell Falls to Towson, 45-23
BUIES CREEK – The Tigers erupted for 24 points in the final quarter to secure their win. Sincere Brown led the Camels (3-9, 1-7 CAA) with 64 receiving yards and a touchdown, while quarterback Mike Chandler II struggled with two interceptions. Towson capitalized on those miscues, as Tyrell Greene Jr. rushed for three touchdowns and Devin Matthews added 134 yards on the ground.
Jalen Brooks had 13 stops for the Camels, giving him a team-high 118 tackles on the season and setting a new single-season tackles record.
Gardner-Webb Falls to Western Illinois, 45-28
MACOMB, Ill. – Despite four turnovers, the Runnin’ Bulldogs put up 348 total yards of offense to stay in contention until late. Quarterback Tyler Riddell threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with Anthony Lowe and Quasean Holmes for key plays. However, costly mistakes allowed the Leathernecks to score 17 unanswered points, sealing the victory. Gardner-Webb finishes the season 4-8 overall in coach Cris Reisert’s debut.
