PEMBROKE – UNCP shook off a 1-1/2 hour rain delay and a 14-10 halftime deficit with 21 points and 214 second half yards as the Braves stayed perfect in their four-game-old series with Fayetteville State with a 31-21 win over the visiting Broncos on Saturday evening at Grace P. Johnson Stadium.

Elliott Powell carried the ball 14 times for a game-best 97 yards and a third quarter score, while backfield mate Damonte Terry rushed for 93 yards and three touchdowns to lead the offense for UNCP (1-1). Junior Luke Charles threw for 107 yards and a pair of interceptions on 15-of-33 passing, while also adding 32 yards (four carries) on the ground.

Triggered by seven tackles for loss, including a trio of sacks, the UNCP defense held the visitors to 126 yards in the second half, including just 63 offensive yards in a highlight-filled third quarter for the hosts. Cadarreus Mason posted a game-high 12 tackles, including one stop behind the line, while DeVante Bush, Joshua Gooding and Mike Keck each tallied a sack. Bush and Dominique Bridges both forced and recovered a fumble for the Black & Gold as well.

Fayetteville State (0-2) was led by quarterback Andreas Hudson who finished his night under center with 134 yards on 10-of-20 passing. Hudson also rushed for 25 yards (10 carries) and a second quarter touchdown as well.

The Braves went 49 yards on 10 plays on their opening drive of the contest before settling for a 44-yard field goal by Matt Davis, and then took advantage of a Fayetteville State turnover later in the period to grab a 10-0 advantage following a 1-yard scoring plunge by Terry. The points would be scarce for the hosts the rest of the half, however, as Fayetteville State put together a pair of long scoring drives to take a 14-10 edge into the locker room.

UNCP was methodical in putting together a 6-play, 54-yard scoring drive on its first possession of the second stanza and retook the lead on a 3-yard touchdown run by Terry just more than three minutes into the third quarter. After forcing a three-and-out by the Broncos on the ensuing possession, the Braves needed just one play to extend their lead as Powell found space and took care of the rest with a 69-yard touchdown gallop that padded UNCP's lead out to 24-14.

Donald Johnson scooped up a Powell fumble minutes into the fourth quarter and raced 20 yards for a touchdown to pull Fayetteville State within striking distance, 24-21, with 9:40 left to play, but UNCP buckled down on defense the remainder of the game before Terry added his third touchdown of the night, a 1-yard dive across the goal line, with 2:59 remaining.

UNCP will hit the road again next weekend when the Braves make the short trip up U.S. 74 to battle region rival Wingate (1-1) in a 1:30 p.m. contest at Irwin Belk Stadium. The Bulldogs posted a 37-9 upset of 16th-ranked Albany State earlier on Saturday.

To watch the full game click PART 1, PART 2 or PART 3.