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Jayden Smith 101924
28
UNC Pembroke PEM 2-5 , 2-3
37
Winner Fairmont St. FAI 4-3 , 3-2
UNC Pembroke PEM
2-5 , 2-3
28
Final
37
Fairmont St. FAI
4-3 , 3-2
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
PEM UNC Pembroke 7 7 7 7 28
FAI Fairmont St. 10 21 3 3 37

Game Recap: Football | | Morgan Sheehan, Assistant AD/Communications & Strategic Initiatives

Football Rallies Late, Falls To Fairmont State

FAIRMONT, W. Va. - The UNC Pembroke football team and Fairmont State exchanged four offensive possessions late in the fourth quarter all on turnovers, but the Fighting Falcons held on for a 37-28 victory over the Braves on Saturday afternoon at Duvall-Rosier Field. 
 
The Braves (2-5, 2-3 MEC) have now lost the last two contests when playing at Fairmont State and fall to 1-4 this season when playing away from Pembroke. The Fighting Falcons (4-3, 3-2 MEC) have now won their last two contests and even the all-time series between the two teams at 3-3. 




 
 
THE BASICS
SCORE: Fairmont State 37, UNC Pembroke 28
RECORDS: UNC Pembroke 2-5, 2-3 MEC; Fairmont State 4-3, 3-2 MEC
LOCATION: Fairmont, W. Va. (Duvall-Rosier Field)
HOW IT HAPPENED
1ST QUARTER
Fairmont State started the game with the ball on their own 33-yard line. Dereik Crosby II rushed up the middle for a gain of 15 yards followed by a Nino Marzullo completion to Winston Page to give the hosts a first down on the UNC Pembroke 33-yard line. The Falcons would have to settle for a 36-yard field goal from Emmanuel Richardson for the first score of the game. FSU 3, UNCP 0
 
UNC Pembroke turned the ball downs after an incomplete pass on 4th and 8 at the Fairmont State 38-yard line. Nino Marzullo completed a short pass to the right to Gage Michael, and then found an open Jermaine Bradford for a gain of 47-yards. Marzullo found an open Kobe Harris for an eight-yard Falcons touchdown.  FSU 10, UNCP 0
 
The UNC Pembroke defense forced Fairmont State to a three and out where the Braves started their offensive drive on their own six-yard line. Colin Johnson completed a 21-yard pass to Josh Jenkins and then completed a pass to Keshawn Jefferson for a gain of 11-yards. Johnson connected with an open JaQuan Albright before a 55-yard pass to Jo Hayes in the end zone for a UNCP touchdown. FSU 10, UNCP 7
2ND QUARTER
Fairmont State started with the ball in the second quarter and moved down the field with a Nino Marzullo pass completion to Dereik Crosby II. Marzullo found an open Carter Giacomo in the middle of the field for a gain of 15-yards and the two would connect again in the end zone for an FSU touchdown. FSU 17, UNCP 7
 
Que Kennedy returned the kickoff 45-yards to put the Braves on the Fairmont State 38-yard line to start their offensive drive. Colin Johnson completed a short pass to Jo Hayes for a gain of 22 yards before Johnson completed a pass down the left side to Jayden Smith for a 14-yard touchdown. FSU 17, UNCP 14
 
Leonard Farrow rushed down the right side for a gain of 13 yards, followed by a 31-yard completion from Nino Marzullo to Jermain Bradford. Marzullo found an open Kobe Harris who took it into the end zone for a Falcons touchdown. FSU 24, UNCP 14
 
The Braves were limited the just three offensive plays before having to punt where Fairmont State took over on the UNCP 43-yard line. Dereik Crosby II rushed to the right followed by a Nino Marzullo pass to Gage Michael for a gain of 15 yards. Marzullo connected with Carter Giacomo for a 15-yard touchdown. FSU 31, UNCP 14
3RD QUARTER
Toy Trice ran the ball for the first four plays and extended the Fairmont State drive following a UNCP personal foul that gave the Falcons an additional 15-yards. Nino Marzullo completed a pass over the defense to Carter Giacomo for a gain of 13 yards, followed by a short run from Derik Crosby II. Fairmont State's touchdown was called back after an offensive pass interference, where the Falcons had to settle for a 36-yard field goal from Emmanuel Richardson. FSU 34, UNCP 14
 
Sincere Baines ran the kickoff back 25-yards to begin the UNCP drive on their own 33-yard line. Colin Johnson completed passes to Jo Hayes, Sincere Baines and JaQuan Albright to move the offensive down the field to set up Albright to rush down the right side for a 14-yard touchdown run. FSU 34, UNCP 21
4TH QUARTER
Colin Johnson completed a pass to Josh Jenkins for a gain of 18 yards followed by a 34-yard gain via a Johnson pass completion to Que Kennedy. Johnson found an open Jo Hayes in the middle of the field for a six-yard touchdown. FSU 34, UNCP 28
 
Fairmont State intercepted a pass to take over on offensive at the UNCP 30-yard line. Dereik Crosby II rushed up the middle for five yards and then broke through the defense again for an additional two yards. The Falcons settled for a 40-yard field goal attempt from Emmanuel Richardson. FSU 37, UNCP 28 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
+ Colin Johnson completed 24 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns. The redshirt senior also ran the ball nine times for 58 yards. 
+ Jo Hayes caught six passes for 93 yards. The graduate student also caught a pair of touchdowns. 
+ Jaiden Nesbit paced the defense with 14 tackles, 10 of which were solo tackles. 
+ Caleb Hester finished with eight tackles, seven of which were solo tackles. He also had two tackles for a loss of 12 yards, one sack for a loss of 10 yards and one interception. 
NOTABLES
+ Fairmont State held possession for nearly 35 minutes while UNC Pembroke had possession for 25 minutes of the contest. 
+ The Braves finished the contest with 440 total yards of offense. 
+ UNCP converted on 5-of-13 third down attempts. 
UP NEXT
The Braves will be back in action on Saturday when they welcome West Virginia State to town for homecoming. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at Grace P. Johnson Stadium. Tickets can be purchased at UNCPBraves.com/Tickets. 
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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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