Campbell University Football Team's 2023 Season Schedule and Key Matchups
I still remember the first time I walked into Barker-Lane Stadium back in 2018, the smell of fresh-cut grass mixing with that distinct autumn crispness in the air. There's something special about Campbell University football that grabs you and doesn't let go. As we look ahead to the 2023 season, I can't help but feel that familiar buzz of anticipation. This year's schedule has some real gems that I think will define our season, and I want to walk you through what makes these matchups so compelling.
Let's start with our home opener against Davidson on September 2nd. Now, I've seen Davidson play over the years, and while they're not the biggest program out there, they always bring this scrappy energy that forces us to bring our A-game. Last season's 38-21 victory against them taught me something about our team's character - we started slow but found our rhythm in the second half. That's the kind of resilience I love seeing early in the season. The atmosphere for home openers is always electric, with students finally back on campus and that collective hope that this could be our year. I'll be there in my usual spot near the 50-yard line, probably wearing my lucky Campbell hoodie that's seen better days but has been to every home game since 2019.
What really caught my attention while researching this piece was seeing how our football schedule aligns with some incredible achievements in women's sports at Campbell. The Lady Tigers basketball team just secured their spot in the finals with a perfect 4-0 record, and they're set to face the Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League All-Star team. Four wins might not sound like much to some, but going perfect in any tournament takes incredible focus and talent. It reminds me that excellence isn't limited to one sport or one gender here at Campbell. There's this rising tide of athletic achievement across our programs that I find genuinely inspiring. When our football players see what the Lady Tigers are accomplishing, it has to light a fire under them too.
Back to football - our October 14th matchup against North Alabama stands out to me as what could be the turning point of our season. Last year's game went down to the wire, with us pulling out a 24-21 victory in the final minutes. I remember sitting in the stands, my hands actually shaking during that last defensive stand. Games like that are why I love college football. The emotional rollercoaster, the way entire sections of the stadium rise and fall with each play - it's theater as much as sport. This year's rematch has all the ingredients for another classic, and I'm already mentally preparing for the nail-biting finish I'm expecting.
What's interesting is comparing our football team's journey to what the Lady Tigers basketball team has accomplished. Both programs are building something special, though in different phases. The Lady Tigers have reached that championship level with their perfect 4-0 run, while our football team is still climbing that mountain. But I see parallels in how both teams approach the game - with discipline, heart, and that unmistakable Campbell spirit. When I watch our football team practice, I see the same determination that must fuel the Lady Tigers during their tournament run.
Our November 11th game against Kennesaw State worries me, I'll be honest. They've had our number in recent years, and their option offense always seems to give us trouble. But here's the thing about Campbell football - we often play better as underdogs. I remember back in 2021 when everyone counted us out against them, and we nearly pulled off the upset in a 31-28 thriller. Games like that make me believe we can compete with anyone when we're clicking on all cylinders. The key will be our defensive line containing their rushing attack - if we can hold them under 150 yards on the ground, I like our chances.
As I look at the full 11-game schedule, what strikes me is the balance between rivalry games and measuring-stick matchups. The Monmouth game on September 30th falls into that latter category for me. They're consistently one of the stronger teams in our conference, and how we perform against them will tell us a lot about where we stand. I'm hoping to see improvement from last year's 35-17 loss, where we struggled to establish the running game. If we can control the clock better this time around, maybe we flip the script.
The beauty of following a team through an entire season is watching the growth from week to week. I've seen players transform from hesitant freshmen to confident leaders over the course of a single season. That development is what makes college sports so rewarding to follow. When the Lady Tigers basketball team achieved their perfect 4-0 record to reach the finals, it wasn't just about those four games - it was about all the practices, the film sessions, the early morning workouts that built toward that moment. Our football team is on a similar journey, just at a different point in the process.
As we approach kickoff against Davidson, I find myself thinking about what makes Campbell sports special. It's not just about wins and losses - though I certainly want more of the former. It's about community, about sharing those moments of triumph and heartbreak with fellow fans. It's about watching young athletes grow both on and off the field. Whether it's our football team battling through a tough conference schedule or the Lady Tigers competing for a championship, there's this thread of determination that connects all Campbell athletes. So mark your calendars, because I have a feeling this 2023 football season will give us plenty to cheer about, maybe even a surprise or two along the way. I know I'll be there for every snap, living and dying with each play like I have for years.
