PEMBROKE – Home-standing UNCP racked up more than 420 yards of total offense, including 237 on the ground, and held visiting West Liberty to a season-low 10 points en route to a 31-10 victory over the Hilltoppers on Saturday afternoon at Grace P. Johnson Stadium.

The contest marked the regular season finale for both squads. UNCP (8-3) put the wraps on its third winning season in the last four years, while West Liberty (1-10) snapped the lid on its first losing season since a 2-8 campaign in 2004. The setback also marked the fifth-straight loss for the Hilltoppers.

Travis Daniels carried the ball 28 times for 159 yards and a third quarter touchdown to provide the offensive highlights for the Braves, who also got 70 yards on 10 rushing attempts from Damonte Terry. Joe Burnett (2 catches, 27 yards) and Michael Isbell (1-26) each hauled in touchdown receptions, while quarterback Luke Charles threw for 185 yards and two touchdowns on 11-of-21 passing with one interception. Senior Jamelle Banks led the receiving corps with three catches for 39 yards.

 Linebackers Fred Williams and Darcus Elliott stole most of the defensive highlights for the Black & Gold on the day. Williams, who crossed the 100-tackle plateau last week against then-No. 7 Winston-Salem State, totaled two pass break-ups and 11 tackles on Saturday, including a career-best two sacks. Elliott finished with a modest five tackles, but forced a fumble and scored on his own blocked punt in the fourth quarter.

Joshua Gooding and Matt Johnson each recorded a sack as well, while Sean Rush and Pembroke native Justin Bullard each registered interceptions.

"I am very excited for our guys to be able to send out our senior class with an 8-3 record," said UNCP head coach Pete Shinnick. "Today also gave them the opportunity to bounce back from a loss (last week) but also, to their credit, a 5-5 season a year ago. It wasn't the prettiest of games that we have played offensively but, for us to rush for more than a 100 yards more than what (West Liberty) says a lot about the way we play on offense. I am really proud of our defense. They continued to get better and better as the season went on."

After both teams turned in a sloppy first quarter of play – one which included three fumbles (one lost) by each team, as well as a West Liberty interception – UNCP put the first points on the board nearly six points into the second period when Charles found Burnett on a short strike into the corner of the end zone to cap a 5-play, 70-yard drive. The Braves would extend their advantage out to 10-0 just before the half on an 18-yard field goal by Taylor Baskett.

Daniels lone score of the game – a 10-yard jaunt with 9:12 remaining in the third period – would give the hosts a 17-0 lead, before the Hilltoppers finally answered with a 42-yard field goal by Jeff Hoak seven minutes later. Charles found a wide-open Isbell on a 26-yard scoring strike at the halfway mark of the fourth quarter to make the score 24-3, before Elliott struck 56 seconds later to cap the scoring for the Braves.

A 9-yard run by Brandon Davis with three minutes left to play would cap the scoring on the day.