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Football Hosts Nationally-Ranked Presbyterian Saturday

by Davidson SportsInformation | Nov 6, 2025

Mari Adams drags the Presbyterian defender into the end zone for the 'Cats second touchdown during the game in 2023.

 

DAVIDSON WILDCATS
2025 Record: 1-8 (0-5 PFL)
2024 Record: 6-5 (4-4 PFL)
Head Coach: Saj Thakkar
Davidson Record (Yrs): 1-8 (1)
Career Record (Yrs): 15-14 (3)

PRESBYTERIAN BLUE HOSE
2025 Record: 8-1 (4-1 PFL)
2024 Record: 6-6 (4-4 PFL)
Head Coach: Steve Englehart
PC Record (Yrs): 19-24 (4)
Career Record (Yrs): 89-73 (18)

INSIDE THE SERIES
Meetings: 35
Series Record: Davidson leads, 19-14-2
First Meeting: Tied, 0-0 (11/22/1919)
Last Meeting: Davidson Won, 48-37 (9/29/2024)
Streak: Won 4
In Davidson: 8-7-2
In Clinton: 11-7-0
Thakkar vs. Presbyterian: 0-0

1ST AND 10

  • For the first time in program history, Davidson will host a nationally-ranked FCS opponent.
  • The last time the Wildcats hosted a ranked team was exactly 84 years ago when No. 4 (AP) Duke visited Richardson Stadium Nov. 8, 1941.
  • Presbyterian enters 8-1 on the season and ranked as high as 23rd in the polls.
  • In 2021, the two teams formed the Carolina Border Clash / Battle for the 1919 Cup.
  • Last season's contest was moved to Davidson due to Hurricane Helene.
  • Four of Davidson's opponents this season have appeared in the FCS Top-25 or received votes.
  • Since joining the Pioneer Football League (2001), Davidson is 1-4 against teams ranked in the FCS Top-25. The lone win came against then-No. 25 San Diego in 2021.
  • Still in search of their first league win, the Wildcats enter 1-8 overall and 0-5 in league play following a 28-24 setback at Morehead State last weekend.
  • Dating back to 2018, Davidson has a 35-23 PFL mark, while capturing two regular season crowns and making three FCS Playoff appearances. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

  • Davidson and Presbyterian first met on Nov. 22, 1919. The game ended in a scoreless tie.
  • Saturday's meeting will be the 36th all-time, with the Wildcats leading the series, 19-14-2.
  • Since Presbyterian joined the PFL in 2020, Davidson is 5-1 against the league foes.
  • In 2021, the two teams formed the Carolina Border Clash / Battle for the 1919 Cup.
  • Last season's contest was moved to Davidson due to Hurricane Helene.

UP NEXT

  • Davidson will travel to Marist for its final road contest of the 2025 season. Kickoff is slated for noon.

LAST TIME OUT | MOREHEAD STATE 28, DAVIDSON 24 -- NOV. 1, 2025 | MOREHEAD, KY.

  • Morehead State erased an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to rally past Davidson 28-24 in Pioneer Football League action last Saturday afternoon from Phil Simms Stadium.
  • Trailing 24-13 after the Wildcats' Will Jones punched it in from two yards out, the Eagles cut it to 24-21 with 7:11 remaining on a Garnett Davis III touchdown run and took the lead with just over a minute to play when Carter Cravens connected with Bronson England.
  • Ryan Upp, one of the league's top receivers, led Morehead State (5-5, 3-3 PFL) with eight catches for 169 yards, including a 70-yard catch and run that ignited the Eagles' comeback.
  • Mason Sheron, who rushed for 64 of Davidson's 235 yards on the ground, gave the 'Cats their first lead, 17-13, just prior to the half. Tight end Langston Green recorded his first career touchdown grab in the second quarter.
  • Hayden Bender finished with 10 tackles for a Wildcat defense that finished with a pair of goal-line stands and blocked field goal in the second half.
  • Despite struggling to defend the run, Morehead State held Davidson (1-8, 0-5 PFL) to just 81 yards in the air while picking off two passes, including late in the game.

LAST MEETING | DAVIDSON 48, PRESBYTERIAN 37 -- SUNDAY, SEPT. 29 2024 | DAVIDSON, N.C.

  • In addition to former Head Coach Scott Abell tying the school record for wins, Davidson retained the 1919 Cup with a 48-37 victory over Presbyterian in the fourth annual Carolina Border Clash.
  • Davidson, which led 35-13 at the half, scored the first 21 points of the game, highlighted by a school-record 98-yard interception return for a touchdown by junior corner back TJ Magee with 8:31 left in the second quarter.
  • Making his first career start at quarterback for the Wildcats, Andrew Frazier put the 'Cats on the board by capping a 12-play, 70-yard opening drive with a 16-yard scamper.
  • Frazier, who finished the night 8-of-10 passing for 159 yards and ran for two touchdowns. His 60-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Maione made it 35-6 with 2:52 left in the first half.
  • After Presbyterian made it a two-score game with 19 straight points, Davidson responded with another explosive play, this time a 63-yard run from Mari Adams to go up, 42-25. Adams finished with 16 carries for 128 yards, while backfield mate Mason Sheron had 11 carries for 93 yards and two scores.
  • Julian Rawlins led the defense with 10 tackles, including 2.5 tackles-for-loss.
  • The game was originally scheduled to be played in Clinton, S.C., on Saturday, but was moved to Davidson as a result of Hurricane Helene.

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