The time for preseason chatter is finished.
We’re done with Media Days. And fall camps. And – though we had fun debating them and putting them together – preseason all-conference, all-state and all-American lists.
At long last, let’s play some games!
Five season openers involving North Carolina college teams are on the docket for Thursday, with two more – pushed back by Hurricane Idalia’s visit to Southeastern North Carolina – coming Friday afternoon.
Check back here for final scores:
.
Thursday, August 31 Barton 41, Chowan 0 FINAL Wake Forest 37, Elon 17 FINAL William & Mary 34, Campbell 24 FINAL NC State 24, Connecticut 14 FINAL UAB 35, NC A&T 6 FINAL Friday, September 1 Fayetteville State at UNC Pembroke 3 p.m. Albany State at Wingate 4 p.m.
.
The Latest Headlines From NC Football News:
- WCU Football Picked 4th In Conference Race, 3 Catamounts Make All-Conference
Western Carolina will start the season looking up at Mercer, Tennessee Tech and ETSU in the eyes of league coaches - Duke Football Preview 2026: Can the ACC Champions Prove They’re Here to Stay?
Blue Devils picked toward the back of the ACC but they’ve excelled from this position before - NCCU Picked Second in MEAC; Chance Peterson Earns Preseason Player of the Year Honors
Eagles have had MEAC post-season offensive player of the year winner in three of the last four years - Recruiting Buzz: North Carolina Central lands 2 fierce defenders; NC standouts headed to Army, Ivy League schools
Recent in-state commitments include Braylen Marrow (NCCU), Elijah Chaffin (Army) and Foster Calloway (Dartmouth) - East Carolina Football Preview 2026: Can the Pirates Contend in the American?
The Pirates lost 21 starters from a nine-win team … and it might not matter
