D2 playoff bracket comes out Sunday; JCSU, WSSU and Lenoir-Rhyne await their fates
Wingate hoisted a championship trophy (two actually). Western Carolina and Elon saluted its seniors in style. UNC extended its season by one game, while Lenoir-Rhyne, Johnson C. Smith and Winston-Salem State must wait until Sunday to learn whether they will get to play at least one more time in 2024.
Week 12 of the college football season in North Carolina certainly delivered unforgettable moments. Here’s a look at the top headlines from an action-packed weekend:
—> FOR ALL WEEK 12 SCORES, Check out our Statewide Scoreboard
We are the champions! Wingate wins South Atlantic title
Using its familiar blueprint of stout defense, opportunistic offense and steady special teams, the mighty Bulldogs returned to the top of the D2 South Atlantic Conference. First-year head coach Rashaan Jordan’s group topped Carson-Newman 28-13, holding the Eagles to 84 total yards. Wingate (9-1) avenged its only loss of the regular season and claimed its fourth-ever SAC crown (Read more about it HERE).
Celebrations framed the day at Irwin Belk Stadium. Wingate accepted its SAC Piedmont Division trophy before kickoff, then capped the night by lighting cigars, dancing, and posing with a second trophy after a dominant win over the Mountain Division champs.
Omarion Hampton has career day, UNC reaches bowl eligibility
When Georgia Tech pinned a fourth-straight loss on UNC in mid-October – courtesy of a 68-yard TD rush in the final seconds by Jamal Haynes – pundits wondered whether the Tar Heels would win another game in 2024.
UNC went into a bye week lower than low – also reeling from the death of beloved teammate Tylee Craft – but things have been climbing ever since. Omarion Hampton rushed for a career high 244 yards and a touchdown late Saturday night, helping North Carolina win for the third consecutive time.
The latest triumph, 31-24 over Wake Forest, makes the Tar Heels bowl eligible with games remaining against Boston College and rival NC State. Now we have to ask: Can this resilient bunch win out?
Men of Steel(e)
It was a good Saturday for players with “Steel” in their name. Wingate’s Caleb Bonesteel kicked five field goals, including a career-high 48-yarder, to earn SAC championship game MVP honors. Greensboro College’s Max Steele recorded 11 tackles against Huntingdon, breaking the school’s all-time tackles record in the process. Steele’s 381 stops eclipses the 373 earned by Allen Stallings from 2007-11.
Lenoir-Rhyne claims 9th win, awaits playoff fate along with Johnson C. Smith, Winston-Salem State
Lenoir-Rhyne, the 2023 South Atlantic champions, finished the regular season on a winning note, surviving against Anderson 27-24. The Bears improved to 9-2 and now will wait to see if their resume is strong enough to earn a D2 playoff berth. Lenoir-Rhyne came into the weekend fifth in the Super Region 2 rankings. Seven teams from SR2 will make the field.
Johnson C. Smith (ranked seventh) and Winston-Salem State (10th) also will be on pins and needles awaiting the Sunday evening D2 selection show. JCSU holds key head-to-head wins over CIAA champion Virginia Union and CIAA runner-up Virginia State (as well as WSSU).
—> READ MORE: Johnson C. Smith’s Benari Black, Coach Maurice Flowers College Top CIAA Honors
Other teams in the mix for the seven Super Region 2 spots include Valdosta State (the likely top seed), West Alabama, Carson-Newman, Miles, West Florida and Virginia Union. The D2 bracket is expected to be released at 6 p.m.
Baker cooks, Elon puts icing on 3rd straight win
Senior running back Rushawn Baker rushed for 156 yards and three touchdowns, and Elon football claimed a Senior Day victory for the fourth consecutive year. The Phoenix won for the third time in a row this season and moved to 5-6 overall, 4-3 in the CAA. Elon will have a chance to finish the 2024 campaign at the .500 mark next week at North Carolina A&T. Baker has rushed for 477 yards and six TDs during its recent win streak.
One of the unsung heroes in the latest Elon triumph: Punter Jeff Yurk, who averaged 49.5 yards on six punts, including three kicks of 50+ yards. Yurk leads the FCS in punting average.
Western Carolina scares the Dickens out of VMI
Taron Dickens completed 30 of 37 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Catamounts to a 58-28 blowout of VMI on Senior Day in Cullowhee. While Southern Conference hopes have faded, WCU (6-5) is assured of at least a .500 season, with one regular season game remaining next weekend at Samford. Dickens has been solid as the starter the past few weeks.
Brevard Tornados spin up a season’s ending victory
Chancellor Lee-Parker closed his college career with his best-ever performance in a Brevard uniform, rushing for 208 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-25 win at Kentucky Christian. The Tornados finish as the top Division III team in our state, compiling a 6-3 overall record. Quarterback Ethan Beamish and wide receiver Zackary Orr – a potent combo the past few seasons – connected six times, including once for a 66-yard touchdown.
Pikeville throws 11 TD passes against North Carolina NAIA opponent
St. Andrews, alas, made headlines for all the wrong reasons this week. The Knights, who compete at the NAIA level, lost to Pikeville 90-14 in their season finale.
Pikeville, from Kentucky, threw 11 touchdown passes on the day. Quarterback Lee Kirkland completed 41-of-47 passes for 646 yards. Brandon Newton caught four of the scoring strikes. The Bears never punted but kicked off 14 times. Austan Shuffler booted successful PATs after all 12 of Pikeville’s touchdowns.
Pikeville rolled up massive penalty yardage (17 flags, 223 yards) to go with its eye-popping total offense numbers (737) – one of the craziest stat sheets of the season involving teams from our state.
Juwan Evans did catch 14 passes for St. Andrews for 140 yards and a touchdown. The Knights completed the 2024 season without a win.
