BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – A school record-matching performance in the UNC Pembroke football team's 36-22 victory over Glenville State on Saturday evening showed its after-effects on Monday afternoon when kicker Gerardo Guerra Rivera was announced as the Mountain East Conference's Special Teams Player of the Week.
 
A product of Cary, Guerra Rivera matched a 5-year-old school record with five field goals against the Pioneers, including four in the second half alone. The freshman connected on field goal tries of 40, 28, 43, 23 and 34 yards, while seeing his chance for a sixth 3-pointer sail just wide of the left goalpost midway through the third period. He also averaged 56.9 yards on nine kickoffs as well.
 
Guerra Rivera's performance matched that of former all-American Matt Davis's school record-showing at Fayetteville State in 2016. Davis registered five field goals in that contest as well, including a game-best 38-yard chip shot in the second quarter.
 
The Cary High School graduate, who made his collegiate debut amid UNCP's abbreviated 2021 spring season, has made good on six of his nine career field goal attempts, including the career-best 43-yarder in Saturday's victory.
 
The Braves (2-1, 2-0 MEC) will close out a short two-game home stand on Saturday when they suit up to take on Fairmont State (0-3, 0-2) on Robeson County Schools Day at Grace P. Johnson Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.