BUIES
CREEK, N.C. – Campbell's football program (1-7, 0-5 PFL)
returns home for the Homecoming game this weekend to take on
Davidson (2-5, 1-4 PFL) for a 1 p.m. match-up at Barker-Lane
Stadium on Nov. 1.
The
Camels and Wildcats, with the proximity of both schools to each
other, have faced off 55 times in a major team sports (m/w
basketball, m/w soccer, softball, baseball and volleyball)
throughout the years. The earliest match-up came on the soccer
pitch with the men's soccer team falling to Davidson by a 6-0 score
in 1963. The most recent game between the two schools also came on
the men's soccer field with
Campbell coming away with a 1-0 victory in 2006. All-time in those
same major team sports, Campbell is 28-26-1 (.518) against the
Wildcats. Prior to this season Campbell's yearly Homecoming games
involved the men's soccer team. In Homecoming games since 1977, the
Campbell men's soccer team went 21-7-3 and outscored opponents by a
79-43 margin.
Davidson
lost a close one last weekend to Drake, 20-17. Davidson's last
second field goal was blocked to preserve the Drake victory.
Davidson is coached by fourth-year man Tripp Merritt. Merritt has
a career record of 18-19, including a mark of 11-11 all-time in
Pioneer Football League play. Senior Chad Barnes is the team's
top runner with 274 yards. Senior quarterback Ryan Alexander is
150-for-265 with 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions on the season
Alexander's average of 237.9 yards passing a game is second in the
conference. The Wildcats best receiver is Kirk Konert, who leads the
team and is second in the conference in receiving yards (489).
Defensively, Matt
Easton and Tyler Lemons are both
average nearly eight tackles a game (7.9). Defensive lineman
Will
Funderburg and Daniel Haffe have combined
for 17 tackles for loss on the year.
The
Camels are looking for their first Pioneer Football League win and
are led by C.J.
Oates, whose 277 yards rushing leads the team. Defensive
back Donte'
Washington comes into the weekend leading the nation in
interceptions per game (0.83), while also leading the Pioneer
Football League with five interceptions.
Other
university events planned around the Homecoming Weekend include the
annual Golf Tournament starting at noon on Oct. 31 at Keith Hills
Country Club. A Distinguished Alumni Recognition Dinner will follow
at 6:30 p.m. at Marshbanks Dining Hall. The CU Fine Arts Department
then presents the play Pippin at the Ellis Theatre
starting at 8 p.m. On the day of the game, Nov. 1, events begin
with the 18th annual Government, History and Justice
Alumni Brunch at 9 a.m. at D Rich. The Homecoming Parade will begin
at 10 a.m. At 10:30 a.m. the Class of 1958 will hold their 50 Year
Reunion. A picnic will follow at Academic Circle at 11 a.m. After
the football game, the recently completed John W. Pope Jr.
Convocation Center will be open for self-guided tours at 4 p.m. The
CU men's and women's basketball teams will hold an Orange and Black
Scrimmage at the Convocation Center starting at 5 p.m. To conclude
the day the men's soccer team will host Mercer at the Eakes
Athletic Complex at 7 p.m. and the Fine Arts Department will again
put on the play Pippin
at the Ellis Theatre at 8 p.m.
Campbell's
football program will have a bye next week before hosting the final
home game of the season against Valparaiso (2-5, 1-3 Pioneer
Football League) on Nov. 15 at noon.
