The Braves emerge from the tunnel amid smoke led by Head Coach Shane Richardson. PN Photo/ Andrew Thrift.
By: Andrew Thrift, Sports Editor
UNC Pembroke Braves defeated the Glenville State Pioneers 36-22 Pioneers on Saturday, September 18. The Braves had a strong first quarter with two touchdowns runs. This was the first home game for the Braves in the Mountain East Conference with a current 2-0 in conference and 2-1 overall with the first win in conference being a West Virginia Wesleyan forfeit.
Fans showed up with tailgating starting at 1:30 p.m. Grilling, cornhole and music filled the air before the start of the game. Fraternities and sororities lined the parking lot with tents and trucks. Partying was happening all across the UNCP campus.
Glenville Pioneers got two touchdowns in the first quarter which left sophomore Joseph Wheeler “worried”.
“Once they got those touchdowns in the beginning, I was very worried about the rest of the game. It felt very disheartening to watch your team get two touchdowns scored on them in the first quarter. But I am glad we got those two touchdowns,” Wheeler said.
During the 1st quarter, it began to rain. That didn’t stop fans from enjoying the fun. Fans huddled under the stands as the rain came down.
UNCP racked up a total 328 yards with 182 yards through the air and 146 rushing yards. The Braves had 21 first downs and converted 2 out of 3 fourth downs.
“I came out to the football game to support all of my really good friends! Pembroke athletes are a tight knit group and such a supportive culture,” said Junior Morgans Gibbs.
After halftime, the Braves were up 24-14 with Gerardo Guera Rivera getting the field goal from the 28 yard line in the 3rd quarter to bring them up to 27. Rivera went on to get three more field goals in the 4th quarter to bring the Braves to a 14-point win over the Glenville Pioneers. UNCP faces off against Fairmont State September 25, 2021 at 1 p.m. at UNCP’s Grace P. Johnson Stadium.
