GREENSBORO – The Campbell Camels and North Carolina A&T Aggies finished their first season in the Coastal Athletic Association with a matchup in Greensboro on Saturday afternoon. The Camels jumped out to a 28-0 lead before holding on to defeat the Aggies, 28-14. With the win, the Camels finish .500 in conference play in their first season in the CAA while the Aggies finished winless in the CAA.

How it Happened

The game kicked off with the Campbell Camels taking an early lead in the first quarter. Jalen Kelsey made a 10-yard touchdown pass from Hajj-Malik Williams, followed by a successful PAT kick by Williams. Shortly after, Tai Goode scored another touchdown for the Camels, catching a 9-yard pass from Williams, with another successful PAT kick by Williams.

In the second quarter, the Camels extended their lead with Hajj-Malik Williams catching a 24-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Fitez, followed by a successful PAT kick by Caleb Dowden. Lamagea McDowell also rushed for a 1-yard touchdown, with another successful PAT kick by Dowden. However, the Aggies fought back with Eli Brickhandler rushing for a 1-yard touchdown, followed by a successful PAT kick by Owen Daffer. In the fourth quarter, Wesley Graves scored a 3-yard touchdown pass from Alston Hooker, with another successful PAT kick by Daffer, making the final score 28-14 in favor of the Campbell Camels.

On the Ground

The Campbell Camels' rushing attack was led by Lamagea McDowell who rushed for 70 yards on 14 carries, scoring one touchdown. NaQuari Rogers also contributed significantly with 64 yards on 13 carries. The team had a total of 187 rushing yards. On the other side, the Aggies' rushing game was spearheaded by Shimique Blizzard who rushed for 79 yards on 15 carries. Eli Brickhandler and Wesley Graves also made notable contributions with 27 and 26 yards respectively. The Aggies ended the game with a total of 142 rushing yards.

Through the Air

In the passing game, Hajj-Malik Williams of the Campbell Camels completed 15 out of 20 passes for a total of 188 yards, throwing two touchdowns. Brandon Fitez also completed a pass for 24 yards and a touchdown. Jalen Kelsey was the standout receiver for the Campbell Camels with 39 yards and a touchdown from 4 receptions. VJ Wilkins also had a good game with 71 yards from 3 receptions. For the Aggies, Alston Hooker completed 11 out of 15 passes for a total of 159 yards, throwing one touchdown. Eli Brickhandler also contributed with 16 yards from 5 completed passes. Amonte Jones led the receiving game with 49 yards from 4 receptions. Ger-Cari Caldwell and Damond Harmon also made significant contributions with 52 and 31 yards respectively.

Defensive Standouts

The Campbell Camels' defense was led by CJ Tillman, who had 10 total tackles, including 5 solo and 5 assisted. He also had 0.5 sacks for a loss of 4 yards. Monchovia Gaffney and Trevon Booker also made significant contributions with 6 total tackles each. The team had a total of 3 sacks for a loss of 20 yards and 1 forced fumble. On the other side, the North Carolina A&T Aggies' defense mirrored the Camels' stats. CJ Tillman led the Aggies' defense with 10 total tackles, including 5 solo and 5 assisted, and 0.5 sacks for a loss of 4 yards. Monchovia Gaffney and Trevon Booker each contributed 6 total tackles. The Aggies' defense also had 3 sacks for a loss of 20 yards and 1 forced fumble. Both teams showcased their defensive strengths in the game, contributing to the intense competition on the field.

BUIES CREEK – Ryan O’Connor threw for four touchdowns and Khalil Dawsey picked off two passes, leading No. 8 Delaware over Campbell 45-7 on Saturday at Barker-Lane Stadium.

The Blue Hens (8-2, 6-1 CAA) stayed atop the CAA standings, dealing Campbell (4-6, 3-4 CAA) its third straight loss.

Delaware built a 21-0 first quarter lead on two O’Connor TD passes along with a 100-yard pick-6 from Dawsey. Campbell drove into Delaware territory on each of its first four possessions, but a pair of turnovers turned into 14 UD points.

O’Connor added two more touchdown tosses in the third to give the Blue Hens a 38-0 lead before Hajj-Malik Williams’ keeper put Campbell on the board.

O’Connor completed 19-of-31 passes for 246 yards, tossing one interception, with two TD throws going to Joshua Youngblood, who hauled in four catches for 53 yards, leading a Delaware offense that outgained CU 406-288. Jordan Townsend collected five catches for 92 yards and a touchdown, while Quincy Watson rushed for 40 yards on 11 carries.

Jackson Taylor and Keeno Arrington tallied eight tackles apiece on the defensive side, while Ty Davis added six tackles, including one of the Blue Hens’ six for loss on the day.

Williams paced Campbell with 161 yards on 16-of-32 passing with two interceptions, while Ezeriah Anderson posted 84 yards on six catches. Lamagea McDowell and Chris McKay, Jr. also combined for 125 rushing yards for the Camels.

Monchovia Gaffney totaled seven tackles, including a sack, while Tyus Fields picked up an interception in the loss.

Campbell will round out the regular season at North Carolina A&T on November 18.

Story courtesy of Campbell Sports Information

RICHMOND – In a highly competitive Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) showdown, the Richmond Spiders displayed their dominance in the second half, forcing three turnovers and outscoring the visiting Campbell Camels 34-6 after the halftime break. This remarkable performance led Richmond to a convincing 44-13 victory at Robins Stadium.

Richmond (6-3, 5-1 CAA) extended its winning streak to four games, while Campbell (4-4, 3-3 CAA) struggled to find offensive momentum, recording its lowest scoring output of the season.

The game was evenly poised with Richmond leading 16-13 and just 2 minutes and 45 seconds left in the third quarter. However, the tide turned dramatically with a series of three consecutive turnovers by Campbell, including a game-changing 42-yard interception return for a touchdown by Wayne Galloway. This marked the beginning of a dominant 28-0 fourth quarter for Richmond.

Quarterbacks Camden Coleman and Kyle Wickersham, in tandem, completed 18-of-26 passes for 265 yards. Wickersham connected on two touchdown passes, while Savon Smith rushed for a pair of scores, accumulating 51 yards on eight carries. Jerry Garcia, Jr. played a pivotal role with two catches for 46 yards and a touchdown.

Campbell Defensive Lineman Ethan Quarshie Photo Credit: Campbell Athletics

On the defensive side, Tristan Wheeler led the Richmond defense with 12 tackles, which included a sack and 1.5 stops for loss. He also contributed by forcing and recovering a fumble. Marlem Louis added significant pressure with two forced fumbles, 2.0 sacks, and five total tackles.

For the Camels, Hajj-Malik Williams completed 20-of-32 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown but had a season-high two interceptions. Williams also contributed on the ground with 47 rushing yards. VJ Wilkins made five receptions for 55 yards, and Lamagea McDowell rushed for 35 yards on 12 carries.

Monchovia Gaffney led Campbell with eight tackles, while Tre Moore and George Wilson recorded sacks.

With three of their final four regular season games on the road in 2023, Campbell will head to North Carolina on November 4 for their last non-conference matchup. They will then return home for a November 11 game against top-10 ranked Delaware before concluding the regular season at North Carolina A&T.

BUIES CREEK – Lamagea McDowell delivered a standout performance, rushing for a career-high 114 yards and two touchdowns, propelling Campbell to a thrilling 34-28 Homecoming victory over Maine at Barker-Lane Stadium.

The win pushed the Camels to a 4-3 season record and an impressive 3-2 in CAA play. It was a historic day for Campbell, as they secured their first home CAA victory. On the other side, Maine found themselves at 2-6 overall and 1-4 in conference games.

Campbell took control of the game early, building a commanding 28-7 halftime lead. McDowell played a pivotal role in this surge, finding the end zone twice during the first half. The Camels managed to score on four consecutive possessions after their opening drive had stalled.

Jalen Kelsey added to Campbell's lead with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Hajj-Malik Williams, extending the gap to three scores with 3:09 remaining in the third quarter.

However, Maine displayed resilience, mounting a comeback with touchdown receptions of 33 and 18 yards by Rohan Jones. These scores brought the Black Bears within striking distance, at 34-28, with just 6:12 left on the clock.

With Maine gaining momentum and Campbell's lead shrinking, the Camels needed a crucial play to secure the win. That play came in the form of an interception by Trevon Booker, who picked off Derek Robertson's second pass attempt with 2:51 left in the game. This key turnover allowed Campbell to hold on to their lead and emerge victorious.

The Camels' defense delivered a remarkable performance, limiting the Black Bears to -7 rushing yards, setting a school record for the fewest rushing yards allowed in a single game.

Campbell RB Lamagea McDowell Photo Credit: Bennett Scarborough)

VJ Wilkins was a reliable target, making eight catches for 79 yards, while Chaney Fitzgerald added five receptions for 46 yards. Jalen Kelsey also contributed with two catches for 36 yards, including a touchdown.

The Campbell defense was led by CJ Tillman, who tallied 10 tackles and forced a fumble in the first half. Trevon Booker added five tackles to his name, along with the game-clinching interception.

Maine's Derek Robertson had an impressive passing day, throwing for 503 yards and four touchdowns. He completed 36-of-52 passes but also threw two interceptions. Joe Gillette was a standout receiver, recording six catches for 135 yards, while Rohan Jones and Jamie Lamson both hauled in two touchdown passes.

Kahzir Brown led Maine's defense with 10 tackles, including a sack, while Damon Matthews and Abdul Stewart added eight tackles each.

Campbell is set to embark on a challenging road trip for three of their final four regular-season games in 2023. They will travel to Richmond for the first time next week (October 28), followed by a visit to North Carolina on November 4 for their final nonconference matchup. The Camels will return home on November 11 for a showdown with top-10 ranked Delaware.

ELON – On Saturday afternoon in Rhodes Stadium, the Elon University Football team put on a defensive masterclass, leaving the previously undefeated William & Mary Tribe scratching their heads as they failed to find the end zone. The Phoenix pulled off an astonishing victory, beating The Tribe 14-6 in a nail-biting game that had fans on the edge of their seats. With this win, Elon now stands alone at the top of the CAA Football standings, boasting a perfect 3-0 record within the conference (3-2 overall), while William & Mary drops to 4-1 on the season with a 2-1 conference record.

The game was an absolute thriller, played in front of a raucous crowd of 12,705 fans, making it the third-highest attendance in the history of Rhodes Stadium. Elon's home game-winning streak now stands at an impressive eight, going back to the 2021 season. It's worth noting that the Elon community has shown immense support, contributing to two of the biggest attendances in stadium history during the first two home games of 2023, with 11,275 fans turning up for the North Carolina A&T game just two weeks ago.

This victory is a milestone for Elon, marking their second win against a top-5 ranked program in school history. The last time they achieved this feat was in 2018 when they triumphed over No. 2 James Madison on the road.

How It All Went Down

The game got underway with William & Mary punting on their first possession, but a surprise turnover by Elon gave The Tribe a golden opportunity to take the lead early. William & Mary pushed hard and managed to get to the Elon 1-yard line, but Caleb Curtain's fantastic tackle kept running back Malachi Imoh just inches away from the goal line, keeping the game scoreless.

The second quarter saw William & Mary take a 6-0 lead with a couple of well-executed field goals. Elon did have a chance in the third quarter, but a missed field goal was the closest they came to scoring in the second half.

Then came the turning point. Jaidyn Denis intercepted a pass from Darius Wilson with just 1:49 left in the third quarter and ran it back 21 yards, putting Elon in a prime position at the William & Mary 30-yard line. As the fourth quarter began, Elon's offense started to click. On a crucial third-and-9 play from the 16-yard line, Matthew Downing found Chandler Brayboy for a touchdown, putting the Phoenix ahead 7-6 with 13:33 left in the game.

William & Mary tried to mount a comeback but ended up punting on their next drive, pinning Elon at the 6-yard line. Facing a challenging third-and-two from the 14-yard line, Downing connected with Brayboy again, this time for an incredible 76-yard gain. Elon sealed the deal three plays later as Downing hooked up with Jamarien Dalton for an 8-yard touchdown pass. William & Mary had one last shot, driving into the Elon red zone, but they fell short on fourth-and-three from the 12-yard line, with Cazeem Moore and Denis making a crucial tackle. Elon ran out the clock with two kneel-downs to secure the win.

Impressive Performances and Stats

Matthew Downing had a stellar day, completing 14 of 20 passes for 187 yards and tossing two crucial fourth-quarter touchdowns. Jalen Hampton led Elon's rushing attack with 13 carries for 74 yards, averaging an impressive 5.7 yards per carry. Chandler Brayboy was the standout receiver, becoming the first Elon player this season to break the 100-yard mark with four catches for 109 yards.

On the defensive side, Caleb Curtain and Marco Patierno had standout performances, each racking up a career-high 11 tackles. Curtain also added a sack, while Patierno had 1.5 tackles for loss. Marvin Pearson was a force to be reckoned with, tallying six tackles, a sack, and putting constant pressure on the quarterback with three hurries. Arthur Nwandu contributed 1.5 tackles for loss, and Brandon Tyson forced a critical fumble.

In the punting game, Kyle Romenick averaged a whopping 47.0 yards on four punts, including one inside the 20-yard line. William & Mary dominated on the ground, amassing 307 rushing yards but struggled through the air, managing just 36 passing yards. Elon, on the other hand, balanced their attack, accumulating 115 rushing yards and 187 passing yards. William & Mary's 36 passing yards marked the lowest yardage by an Elon opponent since November 24, 2018.

Elon's head coach, Tony Trisciani, celebrated a significant milestone, improving his record to 23-22 as a head coach. The win marks Elon's seventh consecutive CAA victory, dating back to 2022. Furthermore, Elon boasts an impressive record of 14-5 in their last 19 CAA games and has the most conference wins in the CAA since the start of the 2021 season.

What's Next?

Elon is now gearing up for another exciting matchup as they return home to face another formidable opponent. Next Saturday, the Phoenix will welcome No. 15/13 NC Central to Rhodes Stadium for a 2 p.m. kick-off. It promises to be another thrilling showdown as Elon continues its impressive journey through the 2023 season.