DAVIDSON, N.C. -Campbell University (1-2, 0-1 Pioneer Football League) opened the 2009 conference season with a tough fought 24-7 loss against Pioneer Football League rival Davidson (1-2, 1-0 Pioneer Football League) on Sept. 19. The loss was the second in the row for Campbell and ninth consecutive in league play.

Both defenses played well in the first half with the teams combining for only 217 total offensive yards. Sophomore Ted Moore did an effective job of changing field position for Campbell on his six punt attempts with an average of 45.8 yards a kick.

After a scoreless first half, the Davidson offense dented the scoreboard first with Michael Blanchard hitting Andrew Aldrich on a seven-yard pass in the end zone to finish a six-play 49-yard drive in 3:05 and put the Wildcats up 7-0 after Ben Behrendt's extra point. The big play of the drive was Kenny Mantuo's 26-yard run to move the ball into Campbell territory.

After a defensive stop by Davidson, the Campbell defense forced a turnover to get the ball back for the offense as redshirt sophomore Christian Dixon stepped in front of a Blanchard attempt. The turnover was the fourth game in a row and the 11^th time in 14 games that the defense has done so.

The Campbell offense formed an answer of its own on the ensuing drive. The team went on an eight-play 56-yard drive finished off by the three-yard run from redshirt sophomore Carl Smith. The touchdown was Smith's fourth rushing touchdown of the season. The Adam Willets extra point tied the game at seven all. The drive was continued when redshirt junior Daniel Polk was able to hit redshirt sophomore C.J. Oates on a 21-yard completion on a second and 20 from his own 34-yard line.

Davidson was able to untie the score on their next possession as Kenny Mantuo was able to scamper in from nine-yards out. The extra point made the score 14-7 with 2:32 left in the third quarter.

After another defensive stop and a 24-yard punt return from Justin Williams, the Wildcats started their next drive in Campbell territory. After giving up a few first downs, the defense forced a third down situation. Blanchard, under a heavy rush, was then able to complete the toss in the back of the end zone to Ben Sarver. Sarver was just able to drag a toe for the score. The made extra point increased the score to 21-7 Davidson with 13:27 to go in the fourth quarter. Blanchard also had a 27-yard keeper on the drive to set up the score.

Later in the fourth quarter, after a defensive stop from the CU defense, a running into the kicker on fourth down gave Davidson the ball back with a fresh set of downs to work with. Davidson capitalized on the extra possession and continued their marched down the field on a 16-play 71-yard drive finished on Behrendt's 20-yard field goal to increase the final score to 24-7.

Oates ended up running for 67 yards on carries and also totaled 41 yards on three catches. Lee Stanley totaled 11 tackles in the game for CU. Steven Goldsmith recorded nine tackles for CU. Milton Brown had eight stops and a sack for the Camels. Davidson was led by Mantuo's 136 yards rushing. Blanchard ran for 91 yards and also threw two touchdowns.

The Camels will have a bye next week and return to the gridiron with a road contest against Marist on Oct. 3 at 1 p.m.