DURHAM, N.C. – Fayetteville St. erased a 21-point deficit and received a game-winning field goal from John Hernandez-Vargas with 1:47 remaining to defeat Virginia St., 31-29, Friday night at Durham County Stadium during the inaugural CIAA Football Championship Weekend Friday Night Blitz.
With the victory, Fayetteville State improved to 8-3 overall and strengthened its case for a berth in the NCAA Division II Super Region 1 Playoffs, with selections set to be announced Sunday evening.
The Broncos faced an uphill battle early after Virginia State capitalized on a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown and built a 21-0 advantage early in the second quarter. Rather than fold, Fayetteville State methodically chipped away behind the arm of Jamir Dismukes and a balanced rushing attack.
Jamir Dismukes connected with Marcus Fleming on an 11-yard touchdown pass and later found Lorenzo Southern for a 36-yard scoring strike as the Broncos closed within 21-14 before halftime.
Fayetteville State carried that momentum into the second half. On the Broncos' second possession of the third quarter, Noah Marshall broke free for a 37-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 21-21. The Fayetteville State defense then took control, forcing three consecutive Virginia State punts and limiting the Trojans to just five yards passing in the third quarter.
The Broncos grabbed their first lead of the night early in the fourth quarter when Dismukes capped a 15-play, 68-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run for a 28-21 advantage.
Virginia State responded with an 18-play drive that consumed nearly eight minutes and ended with a seven-yard touchdown run by Baron Davis. A successful two-point conversion gave the Trojans a 29-28 lead with just over four minutes remaining.
Fayetteville State answered when it mattered most. Sparked by a 46-yard run from Isaiah Silver, the Broncos marched 57 yards in seven plays before Hernandez-Vargas drilled a 30-yard field goal to put Fayetteville State back in front, 31-29, with 1:47 remaining.
The Trojans advanced into Broncos territory on their final possession, but Fayetteville State's defense held firm. A 29-yard field goal attempt by Ali Abdelkader sailed wide as time expired, securing the dramatic victory and completing the Broncos' comeback.
Dismukes finished 15-of-29 passing for 197 yards and two touchdowns while adding 23 rushing yards and a score. Silver led the ground game with 92 rushing yards on 13 carries, while Marshall contributed 43 rushing yards and a touchdown. Southern hauled in four receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown, and Fleming added five catches for 44 yards and a score.
Defensively, freshman standout Zyking Patillo paced the Broncos with 12 tackles and a tackle for loss. Jason Melton II added six tackles, while Christopher Bentley recorded five tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and three pass breakups.
For Virginia State (7-4), Javion Whitfied rushed for 102 yards and added 45 receiving yards, while quarterback Rahsaan Matthews Jr. accounted for 201 total yards. Davis scored two rushing touchdowns for the Trojans.
Fayetteville State now awaits the release of the NCAA Division II playoff field. The NCAA Division II Football Selection Show will air at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 15, on NCAA.com, with first-round games scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21. The Broncos will hope their strong finish and Friday night's comeback victory are enough to earn a place in the NCAA Division II Super Region 1 Playoffs.
For more information on Fayetteville State Athletics, visit fsubroncos.com and follow the Broncos on social media.
