[13] In 1886, The University Magazine wrote that "football now reigns supreme as the king of winter sports" on UNC's campus.
[15] In 1887 fall, students began practicing football well in advance of the inter-class game that was held on October 7, 1887, in which the Seniors and Freshman beat the Sophomores and Juniors.
[16] The school's football team had scheduled a game with the Binghamites on Thanksgiving 1887, but that was cancelled due to an "unavoidable cause.
"[17] Instead, the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies played three games, with the Phis besting the Dis in the series 2–1.
[17] In 1888, The University Magazine wrote that the sophomore class team was "getting ready to challenge anything that walks – their usual attitude.
"[23] In response to this letter from a UNC student, a Trinity student crafted a letter to The News and Observer on October 30 stating Trinity had first started to organize an association for football in January 1888 and hoped for an inter-collegiate state league then.
[24] In that same letter, the student announced that a game was scheduled to be played in Greensboro, North Carolina on Thanksgiving Day.
Graham was thought by The University Magazine to be the best all-around player of the game, while Trinity felt their team captain Johnson was just as good.
[22][31] The first NCIFA president was announced to be Trinity's J. F. Jones, while W. C. Down of Wake Forest and S. C. Bragaw of Chapel Hill were named secretary and treasurer, respectively.
[32] The Wake Forest-Chapel Hill game was highly anticipated and both teams were reported to be putting in good practice.
[34][35] Despite Trinity's teams showing up, their match against Wake Forest was postponed due to nine inches of snow that had fallen since the night before.
[36][37] The Wilmington Messenger wrote that "University and Wake Forest College teams was again necessarily postponed.
[7][41] The News and Observer wrote that Wake Forest was "out witted at every point,"[7] especially with the V formation that was used by the Chapel Hill team.
[39] The News and Observer wrote that North Carolina was "well-trained," great at their respective positions, and heavier than Wake Forest.
[39] Trinity and North Carolina played another game at the "Athletic Grounds" in Raleigh at 2:30 PM local time, large crowds were expected and the field was reported as dry.
[43] Due to the late arriving crowd, which totaled roughly 700 in number, the game started at 2:45 PM.
[41] Before three minutes of game time elapsed, Graham scored touchdown, but failed to get the point after goal.
[9][41] With limited time left in the half, Trinity gradually pushed until Crowell was able to score a touchdown, but Durham missed the goal after.
[9] Trinity's Durham made field kick as the game's time expired making the final score 25–17.
[41] The magazine stated that switching Little from the guard position hurt the university's team and ability to stop the pushing through and felt the loss came due to Bragaw's injury.
[49] NCIFA president Jones received word that Greensboro was finishing their grounds and could host football games in favor of Raleigh, where prices were higher.