DURHAM, N.C. — Just past the midway point of the third quarter Saturday evening at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium, the North Carolina Central University football program was tied at 31 with No. 18/24 Campbell.
But the Fighting Camels scored the only touchdown of the fourth quarter en route to a 38-31 win over the Eagles.
Having lost three in a row, NCCU falls to 2-4 on the season.
Cameron Williams recorded his first interception of the season on the second play from scrimmage, setting up the Eagles' first score. Sophomore quarterback Nelson Layne took the first snap of the ensuing drive 16 yards to give NCCU the 7-0 lead in the game's first minute.
Campbell responded on its next possession, going 50 yards in six plays before Kamden Sixkiller scored a one-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7.
NCCU scored on its following possession when Layne ran in from three yards out, giving the Eagles a 14-7 lead in what was an early back-and-forth affair.
The lead was short-lived, as the Fighting Camels scored the next 24 points. They tied the game at 14-14 with a 32-yard touchdown run by De'Von Thomas. Campbell then took their first lead after recovering an onside kick, which they then converted into three points with a 41-yard field goal by Alex Crabb.
The Fighting Camels took a 31-14 lead before Cobey Thompkins came in at quarterback for NCCU and went 80 yards in seven plays. He capped the drive by connecting with Tristan Stitt from 23 yards out, cutting Campbell's lead to 31-21 headed into the half.
Daniels kicked a career-long 47-yard field goal that hit the crossbar and bounced in, bringing the Eagles within seven points, 31-24, on their opening drive of the second half.
Marvin (MJ) Campbell, Trayvaughn Swanigan and Cameron Williams came together on the ensuing drive to stop the Fighting Camels on 4th and inches. On the very next play, Zion Dobson took it 63 yards for the score to tie the game back up at 31-31 midway through the third quarter.
The game-winning score came with 7:28 left in the game, when Sixkiller hit Jyron Waiters from nine yards out.
The Eagles will celebrate Homecoming next Saturday, Oct. 10, when they wrap up non-conference play against William & Mary. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., and the game will air live on ESPN+.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
Game Notes
- Saturday's loss marks the first time since the 2021 season in which the Eagles have lost three games in a row.
- Freshman kicker Riley Daniels kicked a season-long 47-yard field goal.
- It's the longest field goal for NCCU since Kaleb Robison nailed a 48-yarder against Norfolk State last season.
- Wide receiver Chance Peterson caught a team-high 10 passes for 84 yards.
- Running back Zion Dobson led the Eagles with 80 rushing yards — 63 of which came on his third-quarter touchdown run.
- Quarterback Cobey Thompkins was 4-for-4 for 70 yards and a touchdown in limited action.
- Defensive lineman Zarion Walters and defensive back Joshua Truesdale led the Eagles defense with eight tackles each. Walters also recorded a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss.
