WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Facing a 10-point deficit entering the fourth quarter, Fayetteville St. scored 16 unanswered points in the final period and its defense delivered four critical sacks on Winston-Salem's final possession to secure a 23-17 CIAA victory Saturday afternoon at Bowman Gray Stadium.
The Broncos (8-3, 7-2 CIAA) trailed 17-7 after three quarters but flipped the game with a dominant fourth quarter on both sides of the ball. A 36-yard field goal by John Hernandez-Vargas cut the deficit to seven early in the period before quarterback Jamir Dismukes connected with Lorenzo Southern for a 10-yard touchdown pass with 7:15 remaining to pull Fayetteville State within one.
After the Broncos defense forced a three-and-out, the offense marched 51 yards on eight plays. Braylon Vinson capped the drive with an 11-yard touchdown run with 1:53 left, giving Fayetteville State its first lead of the afternoon at 23-17.
The Rams had one final opportunity, but Fayetteville State's defense slammed the door. Sedrick Clarke recorded back-to-back sacks that forced fumbles on consecutive plays, pushing Winston-Salem into a long-yardage situation. On third down, Jason Melton II added another sack, and on fourth down Osirus Rhodes dropped quarterback Kendall McKoy for a seven-yard loss, ending the game on downs with 55 seconds remaining.
The Rams built a 14-0 advantage in the first half on a seven-yard touchdown run by Jamison Funderburk and a blocked field goal return touchdown by Bryce Johnson. Fayetteville State stayed within striking distance thanks to a 35-yard interception return touchdown by freshman defensive back Christopher Bentley late in the second quarter. Bentley later added a second interception that he returned 35 yards for a score, accounting for both Bronco touchdowns through the first three quarters.
Fayetteville State's defense was the difference, totaling nine sacks, three interceptions and 12 tackles for loss while limiting Winston-Salem to 171 yards of total offense. Rhodes led the charge with 3.5 sacks and four tackles for loss, while Clarke added two sacks and two forced fumbles. Bentley finished with two interceptions, including a pick-six, and Melton II added an interception and a sack.
Offensively, Dismukes completed 13 of 27 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown while adding 22 rushing yards. Vinson paced the ground game with 62 yards and the game-winning touchdown on 11 carries. Marcus Fleming led Broncos receivers with 51 yards on three catches, and Southern finished with four receptions for 30 yards and the go-ahead touchdown.
For Winston-Salem, Funderburk rushed for a team-high 40 yards and a touchdown, while Jayden Grimes led all Rams receivers with four catches for 86 yards. Defensively, Chancellor Smith recorded a game-high 11 tackles.
With the victory, Fayetteville St. closes the regular season on a high note after overcoming a double-digit deficit and producing one of its strongest defensive performances of the year. The Broncos now turn their attention to CIAA Football Championship Weekend, where they will face Virginia State in the Friday Night Blitz on Nov. 13. For the first time in conference history, the championship weekend will feature two postseason games, adding another marquee matchup to the CIAA's showcase weekend. The Broncos and Trojans will meet at 6 p.m., with tailgating beginning at 3 p.m. and stadium gates opening at 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through the CIAA website.
