FAYETTEVILLE, NC – Fayetteville State leaned on a stingy defense and a clutch fourth-quarter field goal to edge UNC Pembroke, 10-7, Saturday night at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium, claiming the Two Rivers Classic championship and improving to 2-0 on the season while handing the Braves a 1-1 record.
In a game dominated by defense and field position, the Broncos erased a seven-point halftime deficit before freshman kicker John Hernandez-Vargas delivered the game-winning 34-yard field goal with 5:40 remaining in regulation.
Quarterback Jamir Dismukes finished 18-of-27 passing for 219 yards and one touchdown, while Braylon Vinson led the ground attack with 81 yards on 15 carries, highlighted by his game-changing 63-yard run. Wide receiver Marcus Fleming was Dismukes' top target, hauling in seven receptions for 128 yards.
Defensively, Pepsi Player of the Game Zyking Patillo delivered a game-changing performance with two interceptions, both of which proved pivotal in the Broncos' 10-7 victory. Jatavien Taylor finished with eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while Kaydence Watson added five tackles and Ryan Debow chipped in five stops. Osirus Rhodes recorded Fayetteville State's lone sack as the Broncos forced three turnovers and held UNC Pembroke scoreless in the second half to secure the hard-fought win.
UNC Pembroke struck first late in the second quarter when quarterback Josh Ehrlich capped a 96-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Tre Rogers with 29 seconds left before halftime, giving the Braves a 7-0 lead.
Coming out of the break, Fayetteville State responded with its most efficient drive of the night. Dismukes engineered a nine-play, 59-yard march that ended with a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jaden Butler, tying the game at 7-7 midway through the third quarter.
The Broncos' defense then took over. Patillo recorded two fourth-quarter interceptions, including a critical takeaway at the FSU 35-yard line after the Braves had advanced deep into Broncos territory. The turnovers helped keep UNC Pembroke off the scoreboard over the final two quarters.
After Patillo's second interception, Fayetteville State capitalized on improved field position. A 63-yard burst from Vinson set up Hernandez-Vargas' go-ahead field goal, putting the Broncos ahead 10-7 with less than six minutes to play.
The Braves made one final push, moving across midfield before the Broncos forced a turnover on downs with 2:54 remaining. FSU then bled valuable time off the clock before pinning UNC Pembroke at its own 7-yard line with 11 seconds left. Two incompletions ended the threat and secured the Broncos' victory.
For UNC Pembroke, Ehrlich accounted for 273 yards of offense, throwing for 196 yards and a touchdown while rushing for a team-high 77 yards. Receiver Malik Brown recorded four catches for 95 yards, and linebacker Jadin Baptist led the Braves defensively with eight tackles and a sack.
Despite being outgained by only one yard, the Braves were undone by 13 penalties for 97 yards and three interceptions. Meanwhile, the Broncos made timely plays when it mattered most, surviving a defensive struggle to remain unbeaten.
With the victory, Fayetteville State improves to 2-0 on the season and will look to continue its momentum next Saturday when the Broncos host nationally recognized powerhouse Valdosta State at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. as Fayetteville State seeks to remain unbeaten and build on another strong defensive performance in front of its home crowd.
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