PEMBROKE, N.C. – The Fairmont State (5-2, 3-2 Mountain East Conference) football team fell at UNC Pembroke (4-3, 3-3 MEC) on Saturday (Oct. 14) afternoon at Grace P. Johnson Stadium in Pembroke, N.C.
 
Michael Floria completed seven passes for 77 yards. Leonard Farrow was the Falcons' leading rusher and totaled 34 yards and Donovan Washington recorded his fifth rushing touchdown of the season. Tight end Carter Giacomo hauled in three pass receptions. On defense, Jovon Jackson finished with a game-high 14 tackles and Eltayeb Bushra picked off his fourth pass of the season. Sam Fairley forced a pair of fumbles while Josh Alt tallied 2.0 tackles for loss.
 
After a Fairmont State three-and-out on the opening drive, the Braves went on a 10-play, 73-yard scoring drive that concluded with a Colin Johnson three-yard pass to Keshawn Jefferson for the score. UNCP added to its lead when Johnson crossed the goal line on a three-yard quarterback 'keeper and the Braves led 14-0 after one quarter of play.
 
On the first play of the second quarter, Sincere Baines ripped off a 27-yard touchdown rush and extended the Braves' lead to 21-0. Bushra intercepted a pass on the next UNCP drive and gave the Falcons favorable field position. Fairmont State capitalized on the good field position with a 30-yard scoring drive that ended with a Washington three-yard rushing touchdown. The Braves managed to add seven points before the end of the first half after Johnson rushed for his second touchdown of the afternoon. The Braves led 28-7 at the break.
 
UNCP drove six plays, 84 yards on the first drive of the second half and increased its lead to 35-7. Pembroke tacked on six points after Johnson found the end zone for the third time on the ground, this time with a 14-yard score to go up 42-7. Baines rushed for a 69-yard touchdown to boost the Braves' lead to 49-7 before the end of the third quarter. The Falcons managed to drive 65 yards on a 10-play drive before turning the ball over on downs in the fourth quarter. UNCP sealed a 49-7 home win.
 
The Fairmont State football team will return to Duvall-Rosier Field on Saturday (Oct. 21) for a home game versus undefeated Charleston. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.