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West Virginia State University Athletics

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FB23 Felder
35
UNC Pembroke NCP 1-1 , 0-1
37
Winner West Virginia St. WVS 1-1 , 1-0
UNC Pembroke NCP
1-1 , 0-1
35
Final
37
West Virginia St. WVS
1-1 , 1-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
NCP UNC Pembroke 14 7 7 7 35
WVS West Virginia St. 3 14 10 10 37

Game Recap: Football | | James Garcia, Sports Information Director

Yellow Jackets defeat UNC Pembroke for first time in matchup history

INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University football team (1-1, 1-0 MEC) defeated UNC Pembroke (1-1, 0-1 MEC) by a final score of 37-35 on Thursday night under the lights of Lakin-Ray Field at Dickerson Stadium. The win was the first for State in a six-game matchup history with the Braves.

KEY PLAYERS
  • Running back Joel Felder broke the century mark for the sixth time in his career and fifth-straight game with 16 carries for 152 yards (9.5 yards per rush) and a touchdown. He also caught five passes for an additional 30 yards.
  • Quarterback Donovan Riddick threw for three scores for the second-straight game. He completed 73.5 percent of his pass attempts and racked up 281 yards through the air.
  • Running back Joe Jones was on the receiving end of two of Riddick's touchdown strikes.
  • Cornerback Jy Martin came down with his second interception in two games.
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Pembroke went up 14-3 at the end of the first quarter. The Braves scored on a pick six early on before running back Antonio Crim recovered his own fumble in the end zone late. In between, a 14-play, 72-yard drive by WVSU stalled in the red zone and resulted in a 20-yard field goal from Brennen Schmitt.
  • In the second quarter, West Virginia State gained the lead, 17-14, before UNCP ended the half with a scoring drive to go into the break on top, 21-17. Riddick play-faked to Felder before finding Jones open in the flats from two yards out for the first WVSU touchdown. Jones then ran a route to no man's land, caught a dart from Riddick, and turned upfield for a 36-yard touchdown reception with 6:33 remaining in the second half
  • The Braves put together a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a nine-yard touchdown pass to nearly close out the first half. The minute remaining on the clock was not enough time for State to score again.
  • Soon after the second half started, Felder broke multiple tackles and juked multiple defenders for a 28-yard rushing touchdown. He was wrapped in the backfield before making a highlight-reel run.
  • The Yellow Jackets scored once more in the third quarter with a 26-yard field goal from Schmitt to go up 27-21.
  • Pembroke took the lead before the close of the quarter again with an eight-play, 65-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown. A quarterback sneak pushed the Braves into the end zone from one yard out and back into the lead, 28-27.
  • Another drive came to a sudden halt for WVSU in the opening five minutes of the fourth quarter. Schmitt was brought back out to convert another field goal from 30 yards out this time, 30-28.
  • Pembroke made it down to State's 27 yard line on the ensuing possession. A game-changing sack was then made by Christian Thompson on third down for a loss of 11 yards. The punting unit was sent out instead of the field goal unit after the huge sack.
  • Felder broke off his longest run of the game on the first play of the next drive. He found a crease up the middle and rushed 54 yards to Pembroke's 35 yard line.
  • Another WVSU drive almost stalled again when Tayshaun Butler was tackled on the one yard line on third down and eight to go. Head Coach John Pennington decided to go for it and called a play that allowed Riddick to float a pass to tight end Nate Baker in the flats for the game-winning score, 37-28.
  • The Braves were able to march down the field and score once more, 37-35, with about one minute remaining in the contest. The touchdown drive was made inconsequential when State recovered the ensuing onside kick and lined up in victory formation.    
EYE-CATCHING STATS
  • State ran 78 plays and gained 495 yards on offense. Meanwhile, Pembroke only took 50 offensive snaps and totaled 314 offensive yards.
  • UNCP lacked discipline with 12 penalties for 110 yards. WVSU only committed six penalties for a total of 66 yards.
  • The Yellow Jacket defense held the Braves to 2-of-9 third down conversions. However, Pembroke converted twice on fourth down to remain in the game.
NEXT UP

West Virginia State will travel to Concord for another Mountain East Conference matchup on Saturday, Sept. 16th. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. 
 
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