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.

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.