Rain drenched the field at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham as theDuke Blue Devilsfought and lost to the Pirates ofEast Carolina University.
In Chapel Hill, thousands of fans put on their Carolina blue for theTar Heels'season-opening game against Tulsa University. From facepaint to tailgating, the familiar sights and smells of fall were in the air.
Outnumbered and eventually losing to the Heels, Tulsa fans held their own against the sea of blue.
"It's easy to get Duke fans to wear at Tulsa hat when we play against Carolina, and I think there are a couple of State fans that are wearing Tulsa hats," says Tulsa booster Clint Burris. "The rivalry between those schools really helps us out in recruiting new fans to support Tulsa."
Over in Raleigh,Wolfpackfans sat in the rain at Carter-Finley Stadium as their team beat Arkansas State in two overtimes.
"I was here last year when the hurricane came through," said Kevin McQuade, an unfazed N.C. State fan. "It didn't bother us at all. We come prepared."
A good poncho and a touch of loyalty made the elements a little easier to brave.
"I just like football," says a soggy Jimmy Hillard, "especially N.C. State."
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