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Two Rivers Classic 090322
13
UNC Pembroke UNCP 0-1
15
Winner Fayetteville State FAYST 1-0
UNC Pembroke UNCP
0-1
13
Final
15
Fayetteville State FAYST
1-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
UNCP UNC Pembroke 6 7 0 0 13
FAYST Fayetteville State 0 12 3 0 15

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

Fayetteville State Edges Football To Claim Two Rivers Cup

FAYETTEVILLE – Fayetteville State held the UNC Pembroke football team to just 90 offensive yards in the second half, and Elton Andrew gave the Broncos the lead for good on a 37-yard field goal late in the third quarter, as FSU claimed the first win in the 9-game-old Two Rivers Classic series by edging the Braves, 15-13, on Saturday evening at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium.
 
The result snapped an eight-game series win streak for the Black & Gold (0-1) who also saw its three-game win streak in season openers come to a close as well. The Broncos (1-0) have now tasted victory in five-straight season openers, but their first in the local series that commenced in 2009.
 
THE BASICS
SCORE: Fayetteville State 15, UNC Pembroke 13
RECORDS: UNC Pembroke 1-0; Fayetteville State 0-1
LOCATION: Fayetteville, N.C. (Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium)
HOW IT HAPPENED
1ST QUARTER
Josh Jones chewed up 32 rushing yards, and then hit Rodney Smith on a 10-yard pass to move the Braves all the way down to the Fayetteville State 31-yard line. The drive stalled after that, however, and UNCP was forced to settle for Alex Alvarado's 46-yard field goal into the wind. UNCP 3, FSU 0
 
UNCP forced a 3-and-out on the ensuing possession, and then went to work again on offense. Josh Jones connected with Trey Dixon on a 44-yard strike that moved the visitors into the red zone, but could not progress any further. Alex Alvarado doubled the lead, however, this time on a 31-yard field goal. UNCP 6, FSU 0
2ND QUARTER
A special teams miscue by the Braves gave Fayetteville State a short field inside the 5-yard line, and the hosts knotted the score back up one play later. Elijah Henry dove into the end zone from two yards out, but the Broncos missed the ensuing extra-point attempt. UNCP 6, FSU 6
 
Virgil Lemons returned the ensuing kickoff 36 yards to near midfield, and UNCP went to work again after that. Rodney Smith scampered for 11 yards into FSU territory, and Josh Jones completed passes on the next two plays for 47 yards before diving in from one yard out to give the visitors the lead again. UNCP 13, FSU 6
 
Fayetteville State turned in the last points of the half by driving 65 yards on 10 plays on the following possession. K'hari Lane threw for 45 yards on 4-of-5 passing, and put the emphatic cap on the drive with a one-yard scoring plunge. The Braves snuffed out the ensuing 2-point conversion attempt to hang on to the lead, however. UNCP 13, FSU 12
3RD QUARTER
The squads traded missed field goals to start the second half, but Fayetteville State found its rhythm late in the third period to grab its first lead. K'hari Lane and Barry Elliott hooked up for a 34-yard reception on a key 2nd down play, and Elton Andrew finished off the scoring possession with a 37-yard field goal. FSU 15, UNCP 13 
4TH QUARTER
No scoring plays
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
+ Senior Josh Jones threw for 222 yards on 17-of-30 passing, and registered a rushing touchdown in the first half. He was also sacked five times.
+ Juniors Trey Dixon (81 receiving yards) and Rodney Smith (61) yards led the UNCP receiving corp with five catches apiece, while four other players logged at least one reception as well.
+ Code Black tallied seven tackles for loss on the evening for a loss of 42 yards, including a trio of sacks (-25 yards). Junior Branden Spencer logged three tackles for loss (-24 yards), including a 9-yard sack.
NOTABLES
+ Saturday's result marked the first win for Fayetteville State in the 9-game-old Two Rivers Classic series with the Braves that opened in 2009. UNCP was a perfect 8-0 against the Broncos (4-0 home, 4-0 away) before Saturday's setback.
+ The loss to the Broncos snapped a three-game win streak in season openers for UNCP. The Braves captured last year's season opener with West Virginia Wesleyan via forfeit, but filled their Week 2 schedule with a setback at Findlay.
+ The Braves were held to -22 rushing yards in the fourth quarter, while also absorbing four penalties for 40 yards in the final period. UNCP countered the negative yards with 44 passing yards.
UP NEXT
The Braves will make their home debut on September 10 when they suit up to welcome Mountain East Conference foe West Virginia Wesleyan (0-1) to Grace P. Johnson Stadium. 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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