UNC Pembroke football rallies from 13-point halftime deficit to upset No. 19 Wingate, 21-13

PEMBROKE – UNC Pembroke delivered a season-opening statement Thursday night, rallying from a 13-point halftime deficit to knock off No. 19 Wingate 21-13 at Grace P. Johnson Stadium. After a slow start and a weather-delayed opening half, the Braves controlled the final two quarters, leaned on long possessions, and finished the comeback with a defensive touchdown in the closing minutes.

Wingate took command before halftime behind a second-quarter surge. The Bulldogs broke through with 6:32 left in the period, putting together a 10-play, 83-yard drive that ended when Brooks Brien found Aaron Griffin for a 15-yard touchdown. Although the extra point was missed, Wingate had the first momentum swing of the night. The Bulldogs added to it after a short field, moving 36 yards in six plays before Ethan Wallace scored from a yard out with 1:12 remaining. Mason Suber’s kick pushed the lead to 13-0, and Pembroke’s final chance before the break ended with a missed 49-yard field goal as time expired.

The game turned after halftime. Wingate opened the third quarter with a promising march to the Pembroke 12, but Suber missed a 29-yard field goal, leaving the Bulldogs empty on a chance to make it a three-score game. UNC Pembroke answered with the kind of drive that changed the tone of the night: 15 plays, 80 yards and more than nine minutes off the clock. Quarterback Josh Ehrlich carried the series both through the air and on the ground, eventually forcing his way into the end zone from one yard out on fourth down. Jared Navidad’s extra point trimmed the deficit to 13-7 and gave the Braves life heading into the final stretch.

Pembroke’s defense then tightened the game completely. Wingate managed just 63 yards on 23 second-half offensive plays, and the Braves repeatedly forced the Bulldogs into uncomfortable passing situations. Meanwhile, the Pembroke offense stayed patient. A drive that began late in the third quarter continued deep into the fourth, eventually covering 71 yards in 16 plays and consuming 8:50. Ehrlich kept the chains moving, including a key fourth-down sequence aided by a Wingate roughing-the-passer penalty, before finding Jake Davids for a six-yard touchdown. Navidad’s kick gave UNC Pembroke its first lead, 14-13, with 7:31 to play.

From there, the Braves protected the margin with defense and field position. Wingate reached midfield on its next possession but turned the ball over on downs at the Pembroke 48. The Braves were forced to punt, giving the Bulldogs one more opportunity with 1:50 left at their own 20. Ten seconds later, Myles Hudson delivered the decisive play, intercepting Brien and returning it 22 yards for a touchdown. The pick-six stretched the lead to 21-13 and capped Pembroke’s 21 unanswered points.

Wingate still had one final possession and moved to its own 43 after a pass interference penalty, but Pembroke’s secondary finished the job. Four straight incompletions, including a fourth-down breakup, sealed the win and ended the Bulldogs’ comeback bid.

Statistically, the game was tight, but Pembroke controlled the details that mattered most. The Braves outgained Wingate 216-204, held a 16-14 edge in first downs and dominated time of possession, 37:59 to 22:01. Ehrlich completed 20 of 31 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown while adding 69 net rushing yards and another score. Avery Curtis was his most frequent target, catching 11 passes for 49 yards, while Davids supplied the go-ahead touchdown reception.

For Wingate, Wallace led the offense with 86 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, while Brien threw for 68 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Bulldogs’ defense had strong individual efforts, including nine tackles from Tyson Brown and 3.5 tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks from David Squires, but three turnovers and a scoreless second half proved costly. UNC Pembroke, meanwhile, opened the season 1-0 by ending a six-game skid against Wingate and earning a ranked win built on resilience, ball control and a closing defensive flourish.

PEMBROKE – UNC Pembroke earned their first victory of the season with a 31-24 win over Fayetteville State at Grace P. Johnson Stadium in Pembroke, North Carolina on Saturday night. The Braves improved to 1-1 while the Broncos dropped to 0-2 in a game that featured 55 combined points and 682 total yards of offense.

The game began with promise for Fayetteville State, as they recovered a fumble deep in UNC Pembroke territory and converted it into the opening score. After forcing a three-and-out, the Broncos capitalized on excellent field position when Marcus Thompson recovered a Tre Robinson fumble at the Pembroke 17-yard line. Three plays later, Caden Davis punched it in from one yard out to give FSU a 7-0 lead with 9:52 remaining in the first quarter.

UNC Pembroke answered immediately with a methodical 44-yard touchdown drive. Robinson found his rhythm, connecting with Que Kennedy for a 4-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7. The Braves' passing attack, which would prove to be the difference, was just getting started. Robinson completed 13 of 20 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns on the night.

The first quarter belonged to Kennedy and Robinson's connection. After FSU went three-and-out following back-to-back false start penalties, Pembroke took over at their own 50-yard line. Robinson methodically moved the Braves downfield, finding Kennedy again for a 7-yard touchdown pass with 1:32 left in the opening quarter. The 14-7 lead would hold through the end of the first quarter, with UNC Pembroke controlling 9:50 of the 15-minute period.

Fayetteville State managed to cut into the deficit in the second quarter when John Hernandez-Vargas connected on a 36-yard field goal, capping a 12-play, 65-yard drive that consumed nearly six minutes of clock time. The drive showcased the Broncos' balanced attack, with quarterback Demari Daniels contributing both through the air and on the ground, including a 35-yard scramble that set up the scoring opportunity.

Any momentum FSU built was quickly erased when Robinson found Malik Brown for a 47-yard touchdown strike just five plays later. The scoring pass highlighted UNC Pembroke's explosive passing capabilities, as Brown finished the night with three catches for 111 yards and the touchdown. The score extended Pembroke's lead to 21-10 with 4:39 remaining in the first half.

The second half opened with UNC Pembroke extending their advantage. After a 51-yard kickoff return by Jordan Marcucci set up excellent field position, the Braves added a 25-yard field goal by Taylor Harris. The three points came after Robinson completed a 36-yard pass to Jaquan Albright that moved the ball to the FSU 5-yard line, but the Braves had to settle for three points when the drive stalled.

Trailing 24-10, Fayetteville State found their offensive rhythm with a seven-play, 50-yard touchdown drive. Daniels completed passes of 15 and 15 yards to Unique Kelly, then scrambled 14 yards to set up Davis for his second one-yard touchdown run of the game. The score cut the deficit to 24-17 and gave the Broncos life entering the fourth quarter.

However, UNC Pembroke had an immediate answer. Marcus Martin, who entered the game as Pembroke's second quarterback, engineered a spectacular 93-yard touchdown drive that showcased the Braves' offensive depth. The drive featured a 20-yard completion from Martin to Albright, followed by a remarkable 58-yard run by Albright that brought the ball to the FSU 6-yard line. Martin capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Albright, restoring the two-touchdown cushion at 31-17.

Fayetteville State refused to surrender, mounting one final scoring drive with 3:38 remaining in the third quarter. Daniels found Kelly for a 34-yard completion, then watched as Bryce Council broke free for a 22-yard run to the UNC Pembroke 1-yard line. Davis scored his third touchdown of the game on the following play, bringing the Broncos within seven points at 31-24.

The fourth quarter became a defensive struggle as both teams tightened up considerably. UNC Pembroke managed just 28 yards of total offense in the final period, while Fayetteville State generated 61 yards but could not find the end zone. The Braves controlled the clock effectively, holding possession for 8:27 of the 15-minute quarter and limiting FSU's opportunities.

Fayetteville State's final opportunity came with 2:48 remaining when they took over at their own 37-yard line trailing by seven. However, the drive stalled at the same spot, and the Broncos turned the ball over on downs with 2:05 left on the clock. UNC Pembroke ran out the remaining time to secure the victory.

Statistically, UNC Pembroke dominated through the air while Fayetteville State controlled the ground game. The Braves outgained FSU 424-258 in total offense, with 280 passing yards compared to just 119 for the Broncos. Robinson's 234 passing yards were complemented by Martin's 46 yards, giving Pembroke a clear advantage in the passing game. Albright emerged as the standout receiver with seven catches for 105 yards and a touchdown, while also contributing 68 rushing yards on just four carries.

For Fayetteville State, the rushing attack provided consistency throughout the game. Daniels led the way with 80 yards on 13 carries, while Council added 48 yards on 13 attempts. Davis, despite his three touchdowns, managed just six yards on four carries but proved invaluable in short-yardage situations. Kelly paced the receiving corps with five catches for 85 yards.

The defensive statistics revealed a relatively even battle, with UNC Pembroke recording 62 total tackles compared to FSU's 71. Jaidin Baptist led Pembroke with 10 tackles, while Matthew Leach topped Fayetteville State with 11 stops. Both teams struggled with penalties, as FSU was flagged 11 times for 92 yards while UNC Pembroke committed eight penalties for 53 yards.

Key Performers

UNC Pembroke:

- Tre Robinson: 13/20, 234 yards, 3 passing TDs; 8 carries, 20 rushing yards

- Jaquan Albright: 7 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD; 4 carries, 68 yards

- Malik Brown: 3 catches, 111 yards, 1 TD

- Marcus Martin: 6/9, 46 yards, 1 passing TD

Fayetteville State:

- Demari Daniels: 11/27, 119 yards; 13 carries, 80 yards

- Caden Davis: 3 TDs rushing (3 carries, 6 yards)

- Unique Kelly: 5 catches, 85 yards

- Bryce Council: 13 carries, 48 yards

FAYETTEVILLE – In a thrilling edition of the Two Rivers Classic, Fayetteville State University staged a dramatic last-minute comeback to defeat UNC Pembroke 35-31 on Saturday night at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium. The victory gives Fayetteville State a 1-0 start to the season, while UNC Pembroke falls to 0-2.

The game was a back-and-forth affair that saw multiple lead changes throughout the contest. UNC Pembroke struck first when quarterback Tre Robinson connected with Josiah Hayes for a 5-yard touchdown pass. Fayetteville State responded with two field goals by John Hernandez-Vargas, narrowing the gap.

The Broncos took their first lead of the game on a 23-yard punt return touchdown by Theniias Moss. However, the advantage was short-lived as UNC Pembroke's D'Marcus Harrington intercepted a pass and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown, putting the Braves back in front.

UNC Pembroke extended their lead to 21-13 just before halftime when Josh Jenkins caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Robinson. The Braves continued to build their advantage in the third quarter with a 41-yard field goal by Ty Woods, making the score 24-13.

Fayetteville State began their comeback when quarterback Demari Daniels found Emanuel Ortega-Garcia for a 15-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 24-21. Daniels then gave the Broncos the lead with a 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, putting Fayetteville State ahead 28-24.

The drama intensified in the final minutes. UNC Pembroke regained the lead when Colin Johnson threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Smith, giving the Braves a 31-28 advantage with just over a minute left in the game.

However, Fayetteville State wasn't done. The Broncos put together a clutch five-play, 60-yard drive in the dying seconds. Daniels capped off the drive with an 11-yard touchdown run with just 17 seconds remaining, securing the 35-31 victory for Fayetteville State.

Daniels was the star of the game for the Broncos, finishing with 66 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground, while also throwing for 87 yards and a touchdown. His dual-threat ability kept the UNC Pembroke defense off balance throughout the contest.

Fayetteville State's defense played a crucial role in the victory, forcing four turnovers that led to 10 points. Caleb Legrand led the defensive effort with five tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery. Theniias Moss and Solomon Barnes also contributed to the turnover battle, each recovering a fumble.

David Baros was the Broncos' leading receiver, hauling in six catches for 116 yards. For UNC Pembroke, Tre Robinson completed 13 of 24 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns, while Josiah Hayes was the Braves' top receiver with 57 yards and a touchdown.

The victory improves Head Coach Richard Hayes' record to 2-2 in the Two Rivers Classic series. Fayetteville State will look to build on this exciting win as they move forward in their season, while UNC Pembroke will aim to regroup and secure their first victory in their next outing.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – It might as well be called the Aggie Invitational. Five years into its existence, the Celebration Bowl, the unofficial HBCU national championship, has seen the North Carolina A&T football team play in it four times. For some, it felt like a home game of sorts. For NC A&T quarterback Kylil Carter, it indeed was a home game as the senior signal caller grew up in the greater Atlanta area. Carter, in his last game in an Aggie uniform, put on a show, throwing for six scores on his way to game MVP honors, leading North Carolina A&T to a 64-44 win and the Aggies’ third straight HBCU national title and fourth in the last five years.



Both teams traded punts to open the game and it seemed like it was going to be a defensive slug fest, but that was not going to last long. NC A&T was able to force another punt on Alcorn State’s second drive of the game, but a fumble on the punt return gave the ball back to the Braves in Aggie territory. The NC A&T defense stiffened up and kept Alcorn State out of the end zone, but the Braves were able to take a 3-0 lead into the second stanza on Corey McCullough’s 28-yard field goal.

The Aggies came alive in the second quarter, outscoring the Braves 24-7 to take a two-score lead into the locker room. A&T opened their scoring for the day with a fifty-three-yard bomb from Kylil Carter to Elijah Bell. It was the first of two scoring connections for the duo and the first of six touchdown passes for Carter on the day. The senior quarterback was named the game’s most outstanding player.

Also getting on the bord for the Aggies in the second quarter was Zachary Leslie with a fifty-nine-yard touchdown reception, Noel Ruiz with a twenty-six yard field goal, and Korey Banks with a four-yard touchdown grab. The fourteen point deficit at the half was the closest

The two teams put on an offensive show in the third quarter, combining for forty-nine points. It started with a seventy-five yard run from STATS second team All-American Jah-Maine Martin on the first play of the second half. The two teams proceeded to trade scores for the next five possessions. Carter threw three of his six touchdown passes in this period, a forty-three yard strike to Ron Hunt, a twenty-yard toss to Elijah Bell, and a seventy-three yard bomb to Korey Banks. Banks finished the game with 122 yards on six catches to lead the Aggie receiving corps.

The Aggies added another Ruiz field goal in the fourth quarter and Jah-Maine Martin scored his second touchdown of the afternoon late in the game. Martin finished with 132 yards rushing on sixteen attempts.

North Carolina A&T finishes the year at 9-3, co-champions of the MEAC, and Celebration bowl champions for the third year in a row. The Aggies will take on fellow FCS juggernaut North Dakota State in 2020 for ultimate FCS bragging rights. It’s a game fans have been waiting to see and the win today kept the Aggies in full celebration mode heading into the offseason.