Vice presidential candidate JD Vance recently received an amazing welcome from college football fans in Greenville, North Carolina.  After landing in the afternoon, Vance and his wife first visited a popular bar, where he interacted with locals who were excited to see the Ohio senator.  Later in the day, the couple went to East Carolina University’s Dowdy-Ficklin Stadium, where fans cheered on Trump’s running mate.

As the couple arrived at the stadium, a large crowd chanted “USA” as they exited their vehicles with their security detail.  Before the beginning of the matchup between the East Carolina University Pirates and the Appalachian State University Mountaineers, JD and Usha stood on the field for the national anthem.  While Vance has no loyalty to North Carolina football, he has been a lifelong fan of his alma mater, the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Vance previously joked with former President Donald Trump that his affiliation with Ohio State University could detract from the campaign’s support in Michigan, where a fierce rivalry with the Buckeyes exists.  “When he first asked me to be a VP, I was like, ‘Well, you know, hopefully we don’t lose Michigan by like 900 votes, because you’re going to regret it. ‘Cause it’s probably just a thousand p—ed-off Wolverine fans who wouldn’t vote for a Buckeye,” Vance said.

During an appearance on OutKick’s “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show,” Vance maintained that Michigan voters would get past their aversion to Ohio State and focus on what’s best for the country. “But I think that most Michiganders are going to be able to put sports rivalries aside and put the country first, which is what, of course, all of us believe is the most important thing,” he said.

Trump’s running mate also suggested to Trump that they pay a visit to the Ohio State versus Michigan game later this year.  “Well, let’s go to the Ohio State-Michigan game, assuming we win, because I bet I can get some pretty sweet tickets as the VP-elect, and we’ll be in a celebratory mood,” he added. “And, look, it’s, it’s going to be a big game this year.

Offering his insight to the 2024 college football landscape, Vance continued, “I think it’s going to determine ultimate seeding in the College Football Playoff. I mean, now both teams might actually make the playoff. I know Michigan’s, you know, sort of people aren’t putting them as high this year, but you never know because it’s always a good program. So, we’ll see, guys. I’m feeling very good about the Buckeyes.” Vance, who supports the Cincinnati Bengals in the realm of professional football, said, “I’m feeling very good about the Bengals.”

According to the latest polling figures in North Carolina, Donald Trump and JD Vance have a slight edge over the Harris-Walz campaign in the key battleground state, with Trump at 47.6% and Harris at 47.1%, per data from 538. Political analysts have predicted North Carolina to be a defining state in the upcoming election.

Watch clips from JD Vance’s visit to North Carolina below: