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Branden Spencer 092422
23
UNC Pembroke UNCP 1-3 , 1-2
25
Winner Fairmont State FSU 1-3 , 1-2
UNC Pembroke UNCP
1-3 , 1-2
23
Final
25
Fairmont State FSU
1-3 , 1-2
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
UNCP UNC Pembroke 7 7 7 2 23
FSU Fairmont State 10 0 0 15 25

Game Recap: Football | | Todd Anderson, Associate AD/Communications & Strategic Initiatives

Late-Game Rally Helps Fairmont State Stun Football

FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Fairmont State scored 15 points in just 35 seconds late in the fourth quarter, including a go-ahead 35-yard touchdown pass with 2:07 left, to rally all the way back from a late 11-point deficit to stun the visiting UNC Pembroke football team, 25-23, on Saturday afternoon at Duvall-Rosier Field.
 
It was the second-straight setback for the Braves (1-3, 1-2 MEC) who led 21-10 with just less than three minutes left to play. The triumph marked the first win of the season for the Fighting Falcons (1-3, 1-2) who have now captured the last two matchups in the series with the Black & Gold by a combined five points.
 
Rodney Smith registered career highs in both receptions (9) and receiving yards (116) to highlight the day for the UNCP offense, while Trey Dixon caught two passes for 81 yards, including a 74-yard touchdown reception to cap the game's opening possession. Josh Jones threw for 253 yards and one touchdown on 21-of-38 passing.
 
Branden Spencer shattered a 15-year-old school record by tallying a quartet of sacks, while also sharing the team lead (Malik McKinzie) with seven tackles. Tyreke King had a pair of sacks for Code Black as well.
 
THE BASICS
SCORE: Fairmont State 25, UNC Pembroke 23
RECORDS: UNC Pembroke 1-3, 1-2 MEC; Fairmont State 1-3, 1-2 MEC
LOCATION: Fairmont, W.Va. (Duvall-Rosier Field)
HOW IT HAPPENED
1ST QUARTER
Josh Jones began the game's opening possession with a short pass to Bo Osborne, but gave the Braves the lead two plays later when he hit Trey Dixon in stride on a 74-yard touchdown strike. UNCP 7, FSU 0
 
A missed field goal on the ensuing possession left Fairmont State with a sour taste in its mouth, but the hosts made up for it on their following drive. Myles Miree scampered 56 yards for the game-tying touchdown on 1st down to get the scoring started for the Fighting Falcons. UNCP 7, FSU 7
 
A blocked punt on the following possession set the hosts up inside the red zone, but a 7-yard sack by UNCP's Tyreke King on first down put a damper on the celebration. Fairmont State eventually settled for a 34-yard field goal from Serge Buchheit. FSU 10, UNCP 7
2ND QUARTER
Josh Jones completed all three of his pass attempts for 42 yards to spark a scoring drive midway through the second period, but the possession was also aided by a pass interference penalty as well. Regardless, Jones gave the Braves the lead again, this time on a one-yard dive over the goal line. UNCP 14, FSU 10
3RD QUARTER
Special teams got into the action for the Braves late in the third quarter. Dante Bowlding's 60-yard punt return for a touchdown gave UNCP a two-score advantage. UNCP 21, FSU 10
4TH QUARTER
Michael Floria threw for 78 yards on 6-of-9 passing to spark a rally for the Tornadoes late in the final period. A 5-yard touchdown pass to Kobe Harris, as well as an ensuing 2-point conversion, brought the hosts to within three points. UNCP 21, FSU 18
 
Fairmont State recovered an ensuing onside kick at UNCP's 40-yard line to set up the eventual go-ahead score. Myles Miree turned in a 5-yard run on the opening play, and Michael Floria found Kobe Harris on a 35-yard scoring strike two plays later to give the Fighting Falcons the lead for good. FSU 25, UNCP 21
 
In an attempt to run out the clock, Michael Floria retreated to the back of his own end zone but was tracked down by Tyreke King before taking a knee.  King's efforts jarred the ball loose onto the turf, but Fairmont State covered the fumble to preserve the final. FSU 25, UNCP 23
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
+ Redshirt junior Rodney Smith registered career highs for both receptions (9) and receiving yards (116) in Saturday's loss. The nine receptions bested out an 8-catch performance for Smith at Frostburg State last season.
+ Redshirt junior Branden Spencer shattered a school record with four sacks in Saturday's setback. The previous record of 3-1/2 sacks was shared by three players, with Morris "Scooter" McLaughlin first accomplishing that feat at Concord on Nov. 3, 2007.
NOTABLES
+ Code Black registered six sacks on Saturday against Fairmont State – the most quarterback drops for the unit since posting six sacks in a win over Elizabeth City State on Sept. 8, 2018.
+ The Braves posted 300 or more yards of total offense for the second time this season (vs. West Virginia Wesleyan). That number included a season-high 253 passing yards.
UP NEXT
The Braves will be back in action again on October 1 when they return to Pembroke to take on Frostburg State (3-1, 2-1 MEC) on Parents & Families Day at Grace P. Johnson Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Get your tickets ahead of time by visiting UNCPBraves.com/Tickets.
STAY CONNECTED
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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.
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