| THE BASICS |
SCORE: Fairmont State 30, UNC Pembroke 27
RECORDS: UNC Pembroke 2-2, 2-1 MEC; Fairmont State 1-3, 1-2 MEC
LOCATION: Pembroke N.C. (Grace P. Johnson Stadium) |
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| HOW IT HAPPENED |
| 1ST QUARTER |
| The Braves took the opening possession of the afternoon and capped a 13-play, 65-yard drive when Rodney Smith hauled in a 14-yard touchdown reception from Josh Jones. Jones threw for 45 yards on 5-of-7 passing on the drive, while also rushing for 11 yards (2 attempts). UNCP 7, FSU 0 |
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| 2ND QUARTER |
UNCP added to its lead in an unconventional manner early in the second period when a bad snap sailed over the head of Fairmont State punter Dima Amaya. Marcus Davis scooped up the loose ball and leapt into the end zone to extend the advantage out to a pair of scored. UNCP 14, FSU 0
The Falcons made the most of a late-second quarter possession, stringing together 17 plays to fuel a 74-yard scoring drive that ultimately concluded with a 33-yard field goal from Colin Harvath. Fairmont State converted a pair of key 3rd-down situations, including a 13-yard pass on 3rd-and-9 at the UNCP 30-yard line. UNCP 14, FSU 3
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| 3RD QUARTER |
Fairmont State climbed back into the ballgame with the opening possession of the second half. Connor Neal found Joshawn Lewis on a 77-yard strike touchdown strike after the first two plays of the possession resulted in just two yards. UNCP 14, FSU 10
The Falcons took their first lead of the afternoon later in the period, driving 70 yards in just four plays before Connor Neal hit Jeremi Taylor on a 22-yard scoring strike. Neal completed both of his pass attempts for 67 yards to fuel the go-ahead possession. FSU 17, UNCP 14
The Braves answered back to regain the lead, capping a 5-play, 73-yard scoring drive when Josh Jones found Tyshawn Carter on a 34-yard touchdown pass. Jones completed all four of his pass attempts for 80 yards, but the possession was slightly spoiled with a bad snap on the point-after attempt. UNCP 20, FSU 17
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| 4TH QUARTER |
Punter Alex Hodge pinned the Falcons deep in their own territory early in the final period, but Fairmont State put together a methodical 7-play, 85-yard scoring drive to go ahead again. Backup quarterback Michael Floria threw for 66 yards on 3-of-5 passing on the possession, including a 19-yard touchdown pass to Javon Hayes. FSU 24, UNCP 20
The Braves answered again on the next possession, capping a 9-play, 75-yard scoring drive with a 1-yard touchdown dive by Joseph Early. Josh Jones found Jai'Veon Smalls on a 50-yard pass on the first play of the possession, but the gain was lessened via a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by the freshman receiver. UNCP 27, FSU 24
Fairmont State took the lead for good on the ensuing possession, using a 51-yard run by Xander Albea on the opening play to fuel a 6-play, 66-yard touchdown drive. The Falcons capped the scoring on the day when Donovan Washington hauled in a 3-yard touchdown pass from Michael Florida. The extra point attempt sailed wide right. FSU 30, UNCP 24
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| INSIDE THE BOX SCORE |
+ Josh Jones threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns on 26-of-40 passing. The junior quarterback also ran for 43 yards, but his progress was negated on six sacks by the visitors.
+ Freshman Jai'Veon Smalls led the UNCP receiving corps with 88 yards on five catches, while Trey Dixon hailed in six passes for 58 yards. Tyshawn Carter (2 receptions-50 yards) and Rodney Smith (2-20) both tallied touchdown receptions.
+ Freshman Alex Hodge averaged 43.5 yards on six punts on the afternoon, including two boots that went for 50 or more yards. He pinned the Falcons inside the 20-yard line on four of those attempts as well.
+ Pembroke native and senior Luke Brooks led Code Black with eight tackles, including seven solo stops. Freshman Redshirt senior Devin Jones logged an interception, while Marcus Davis scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery. |
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| NOTABLES |
+ The Braves have allowed 450 or more yards in both losses this season, including 534 in the season-opening setback at Findlay.
+ Saturday's setback marked UNCP's first of the series with Fairmont State. The Braves had outscored the Falcons 62-7 in two previous meetings, but had not faced Fairmont State since the 2010 campaign.
+ UNCP limited Fairmont State to just 133 yards in the first half Saturday, while also forcing a pair of turnovers. |
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| UP NEXT |
| The Braves will resume their Mountain East Conference schedule on October 2 when they head to northwest Maryland to battle MEC co-leader Frostburg State (4-0, 3-0 MEC). The Bobcats enjoyed a rare off weekend on Saturday. |
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| STAY CONNECTED |
| Follow UNCP Football on Twitter and Instagram and "Like" UNCP Football on Facebook. |
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| BACK THE BRAVES |
| Fans can help support the UNC Pembroke Football program by joining the Braves Club. To find out more information about the Braves Club, visit UNCPBraves.com/BravesClub or email braves.club@uncp.edu. |
