W&M (1-1) at Virginia (1-1)
When: Noon Saturday
On the air: ACC Network; 92.3FM, 105.5FM, 1140AM, 1650AM
The Tribe: W&M’s Mike London, a former UVA assistant and head coach, can earn his 100th coaching victory with a monumental upset. After four seasons with Darius Wilson at quarterback, the position appears to be in good hands with Tyler Hughes (team-leading 130 yards rushing, three TD passes), who has been steady in a pair of close games — a 23-21 loss on a late field goal at Furman and a 28-27 win against Maine on a late drive that included his runs of 25 and 20 yards. The defense has bent early in both games, but has generally been solid (No. 15 in FCS at 280 yards per game), led by Cornell transfer LB Luke Banbury’s 15 tackles per game.
The Cavaliers: UVA has won the past six in a series entering its 40th meeting and holds a 32-6-1 edge overall. The Cavaliers’ offense has been dynamite through two games, but quarterback Chandler Morris’ late interception was costly in a 35-31 loss last week at N.C. State. He was very good otherwise, passing for 257 yards and two TDs while rushing for 56 yards, and has not been sacked in two games. RB J’Mari Taylor ran for 150 yards and three scores, TDs of 39 and 66 yards among them, and is one of only two players in FBS with five rushing touchdowns. The Cavs will look to improve on a run defense that allowed 6.2 yards per carry in Raleigh.
— Marty O’Brien
Christopher Newport (1-0) at Gettysburg (0-1)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
On the air: 99.1FM, https://www.centennialconference.tv/?B=2510963
The Captains: CNU (1-0) goes to Pennsylvania with momentum generated from a 38-7 home victory over Trine. QB Connor Barry, the New Jersey Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, threw five touchdown passes, four to Colin Hart, on 14-of-17 accuracy for 271 yards. The Captains’ defense shut out Trine in the second half.
The Bullets: Coming off a 2-8 season that included a 54-37 home loss to CNU, Gettysburg (0-1) lost its opener 31-30 to in-state foe Juniata, falling a yard short of victory in the final minute. Rocco Andinoor completed 23 of 40 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns and ran eight times for 66 yards. Nick Wonsala had seven receptions for 91 yards and a TD. Gettysburg was picked seventh in the Centennial Conference.
— Sonny Dearth
Norfolk State (1-1) at Rutgers (2-0)
When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
On the air: Big Ten Network (in some areas), 91.1FM
The Spartans: Norfolk State got the first win of the Michael Vick era in a 34-31 OT thriller against rival Virginia State last Saturday. QB Otto Kuhns, named the starter this week, came off the bench to provide a spark late in the third quarter. Wideouts Kam’Ryn Thomas (five catches, 82 yards) and DreSean Kendrick (four catches, 52 yards, one TD) were productive once again, while the run game also got going behind Kevon King (nine carries, 63 yards) and Jaylen Laudermilk (three carries, 59 yards, one TD). No rest for the weak, though, as the Spartans’ reward for their first win is a Big Ten opponent in Rutgers. NSU has never beaten an FBS opponent.
The Scarlet Knights: Rutgers has gotten off to a good start, going 2-0 in nonconference play. Rutgers defeated Miami (Ohio) 45-17 last week behind a “strong” performance from wideout Ian Strong, who had nine catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns. QB Athan Kaliakmanis spread the wealth, finishing 26 of 36 for 259 yards and four touchdowns. RB Antwan Raymond added 13 carries for 82 yards and two scores. Rutgers hasn’t lost a regular-season nonconference game since 2019.
— Trevyn Gray
Hampton (1-1) at North Carolina A&T (0-2)
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
On the air: FloSports
The Pirates: Hampton (1-1) beat Elizabeth City State 27-20 last week after taking a 20-10 deficit to the locker room. Running back Ja’Quan Snipes had the best game of his career, rushing for 174 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning 47-yard score with less than a minute remaining. It was the first win in the past six games for the Pirates, and they’ll hope to keep that momentum going in the 50th edition of A&T vs Hampton.
The Aggies: North Carolina A&T(0-2) mustered only 200 yards of offense, 160 on the ground, in a 68-7 loss to Central Florida last week. Western Branch High alumnus Shimique Blizzard led the way with 75 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, followed by JT Smith, who rushed for 54 yards on 15 carries.
— Trevyn Gray
N.C. Wesleyan (1-0) at Apprentice (0-1)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
On the air: https://www.youtube.com/@GoBuilderSports
The Builders: In their first game as a New South Athletic Conference football member, they opened the season last week with a 27-6 loss to Southern Virginia in Buena Vista. Tyreon Taylor scored their only touchdown, a 3-yard run in the second quarter. Trevaris Jones threw for 143 yards and was intercepted once. LB Chase Gayness led Apprentice with nine tackles, and T.K. Petty had five catches for 75 yards.
The Bishops: North Carolina Wesleyan, of the USA South Athletic Conference, routed Averett 64-12 last Saturday to start the season after going 4-6 a year ago. Javier Rice was 6 of 9 for 219 yards and three touchdowns. NCWU ran for 396 yards, led by Nahir Seagraves’ 152 yards — 86 on one touchdown run. The Bishops’ defense forced three turnovers.
— Sonny Dearth
