By Devin McCullough
The UNC Pembroke football team overcame a rocky start on Saturday to earn a 34–17 victory over Barton at Grace P. Johnson Stadium, wrapping up the regular season on a high note during American Indian Heritage Day. The Braves stumbled early, losing two fumbles in the opening quarter that allowed Barton to seize an early 10–0 lead. What began as a frustrating first half for the home team quickly turned into a display of resilience and determination that ultimately secured their spot in the upcoming Conference Carolinas Bowl.
UNC Pembroke’s offense found its rhythm midway through the second quarter when Jordaan Bailey powered into the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown, recovering his own fumble to put the Braves on the board. Barton extended its lead to 17–7 before UNCP answered just before halftime. With five seconds left in the half, quarterback Tre Robinson connected with Aaron Osborne for a 19-yard touchdown pass that cut the deficit to 17–14 and shifted the momentum heading into the locker room.
The second half belonged entirely to the Braves. After a fumble recovery by Britton Pascoe, Robinson capped a short drive with a 6-yard touchdown run to give UNC Pembroke its first lead of the game. From that point forward, the defense dominated, forcing three turnovers and holding Barton scoreless. Taylor Harris added two field goals in the fourth quarter, while Darrell Scott sealed the win with a highlight-reel 46-yard interception return for a touchdown that sent the home crowd into celebration.
Robinson led the way for the Braves, completing 19 of 30 passes for 197 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 99 yards and another score. Bailey added 59 yards on the ground, and Scott’s defensive performance, including five tackles and the key interception return, provided the spark that ignited the team. The defense also benefitted from a standout showing by Isi Etute, who recorded seven tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles.
The victory capped an impressive regular season for UNC Pembroke, which finished 8–2 overall and a perfect 5–0 at home. With the win, the Braves officially punched their ticket to the Conference Carolinas Bowl, where they will face North Greenville on November 15 in Greenville, S.C. The matchup provides a chance for redemption, as the Braves’ only conference loss this season came at the hands of North Greenville just a few weeks ago.