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Charlie & Debbie

3 Time Sunbelt Player Of The Year Could Be North Carolina State’s Next Quarterback

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Author Charlie & Debbie

In the fall of 2020, for the first time in my life, I had a new favorite college football team.  I graduated from Baylor University and my family had always rooted for them so forever, “Sic Em Bears!”  However, as the saying goes, “my son and my money” began classes at Coastal Carolina University.  So, where my money goes, so does my rooting interest.  And a very cool thing happened.

A young, redshirt freshman quarterback from Indian Trail named Grayson McCall was handed the reins of the Coastal Carolina offense.  What happened in that Covid-19 marred season was nothing short of magic.  The Chanticleers went on an amazing 11-1 run that included an unexpected upset win on national TV against BYU.  They kind of became the nation’s darlings and even hosted ESPN College GameDay.  McCall was named the Sunbelt Conference Player of the Year.  He would go on to repeat that feat in 2021 and 2022.

Following the 2022 season, Coastal Carlina’s Coach, Jamie Chadwell was hired away by Liberty University (who tripled his salary).  Grayson entered the transfer portal and was reportedly headed to Auburn.  Something in the deal fell apart, and he decided to return to Coastal.  Then, this season, injury ended his season early on.  Now, Grayson McCall has entered the transfer portal again.  And if the rumors are true, the Indian Trail, North Carolina native could be heading back to his home state in a big way.

Last week, coaches and representatives from North Carolina State University had an “in home” visit with McCall and his family.  This weekend, Grayson plans on visiting North Carolina State’s campus.  He’s also playing on visiting the campus of the University of Central Florida.  You’ve got to think tho, if everything is equal, NC State HAS to have the edge, right?

I have a really good friend and co-worker who lives and dies with NC State athletics in general, football in particular.  So, this would be a win for her.  And a HUGE get for NC State.

So, thank you Grayson McCall for making Coastal Carolina football a really entertaining thing to watch and root for during my son’s time in Conway, South Carolina.   And best of luck to your future.  Go Wolfpack?

Bowl Matchups Are Set Here's Where North Carolina Teams Are Going And Who Is Coming Here

It’s the most wonderful time of the year- Bowl Season! Yeah yeah yeah I love Christmas as well. But as a lover of college football, I also love bowl season. And after a dramatic (to say the least) weekend in the sport, the matchups are set. The first bowl game will kick off December 16th and the season will come to an end on January 8th with the National Championship. Bowl games offer the team a trip, an extra month of practice, memories, and a chance to increase their win total. They are also fun for the fans. This fan loves when her team ends up in a desirable location. Nothing better than starting the New Year on a fun trip!

And that’s exactly what I’ll be doing this year. This year the state of NC is playing host to two bowl games and 3 college football teams from North Carolina will be participating in postseason matchups. This is fewer than other years with teams like Wake Forest, ECU, and Charlotte failing to qualify for postseason play. But not to be left out South Carolina is always getting in on the fun hosting a game and sending 2 teams bowling.

So which teams are headed where? And when can you catch a local bowl game? Don’t worry I’ve got all the info for you. Keep reading to see the bowl matchups in and involving North Carolina as well as South Carolina. With players entering the transfer portal and sitting out to avoid injury prior to the draft, some teams may look a little different in these games. But hopefully, there will be some competitive matchups and interesting games! You can view the full slate via ESPN here. Let the daily football commence!

  • Famous Toastery Bowl

    Charlotte is the temporary location and popular brunch spot Famous Toastery is the temporary name of the “Bahamas Bowl”. Imagine you get a bid to a bowl game that is supposed to be in the Bahamas and you end up in Charlotte. Bowl/Playoff season always has disappointments but that is certainly one I don’t envy. The game will be played on December 16th and features a matchup between Western Kentucky and Old Dominion at Jerry Richardson Stadium on the campus of UNC Charlotte. Kickoff is set for 2:30pm.

  • Birmingham Bowl

    After getting off to a very promising season the Duke Blue Devils are rewarded with…. a matchup in Birmingham, AL against a Sunbelt Conference opponent in Troy. If you’d told me that mid November I wouldn’t have believed you. But injuries to the QB position caused the Blue Devil’s offense to struggle,  and finish the season with a 7-5 overall and 4-4 conference record. The Birmingham Bowl kicks off Dec 23rd at noon on ABC.

  • Duke's Mayo Bowl

    The Duke’s Mayo Bowl played at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium will feature a matchup between UNC Chapel Hill and West Virginia. UNC kicked off the season in the Duke’s Mayo College Kickoff game in Charlotte and now ends it in the bowl game here as well after certainly higher expectations were had pre-season. This is UNC’s 2nd appearance in the bowl game in 3 years. They lost the 2021 edition of this game to South Carolina. Kickoff is set for 5:30pm on December 27th. Stay tuned for who participates in the celebratory mayo dump!

  • Pop Tarts Bowl

    In its first year under the name Pop Tarts Bowl this Orlando, FL bowl game will play host to NC State and Kansas State. While I’m sad my team (NC State) never got to play in what was formally the Cheezit Bowl (big Cheezit fan over here) I am thrilled at this location and opponent. I’ve already got my tickets and can’t wait to see Dave Doeren and company take a bite out of the first edible mascot. Though I am a little grossed out by this concept. The game kicks off on Dec 28th at 5:45 pm on ESPN. Someone pass me the Pop-Tarts and Go Pack!

  • South Carolina

    North Carolina isn’t the only Carolina with teams playing in and cities hosting bowl games. So of course we are going to tell you all about our neighbors to the south as well!

  • Myrtle Beach Bowl

    Conway South Carolina plays host to the Myrtle Beach Bowl, which kicks off bowl season on Dec. 16th. The game features a matchup between Ohio and Georgia Southern on ESPN at 11am.

  • Hawaii Bowl

    While a less-than-practical destination for fans, this may be the best team destination. An all-expense paid trip to Hawaii? Sounds like a win to me. And that’s what Coastal Carolina gets for Christmas along with a game against San Jose State. You can catch this game on Dec 23rd at 10:30 pm live from Honolulu.

  • Gator Bowl

    Clemson gets the trip to Jacksonville, FL, and a matchup against SEC’s Kentucky. This is Kentucky’s 2nd trip to the Gator Bowl since the 2020 season. It should be one of the better bowl matchups and I haven’t checked the Jaguars schedule but perhaps a good opportunity for Trevor Lawrence to cheer on his former team.

Charlie Nance is the Afternoon Drive co-host (along with his wife) of "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The couple have been with the radio station since 2006. Charlie has won the prestigious CMA (Country Music Association) Award for Radio Personality of the Year and has been a finalist for the Country Radio Hall of Fame four times. Prior to his time in Charlotte, Charlie (along with Debbie) spent more than a decade hosting successful morning radio shows in Greenville, SC; Augusta, Ga; and Birmingham, Al. As a content creator for Country 1037, Charlie writes about dream lottery windfalls, sports, restaurants and bars, and travel experiences in North and South Carolina.

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