PEMBROKE — For The University of North Carolina at Pembroke football team, Saturday proved to be a microcosm of a frustrating season with a 34-13 home loss to Carson-Newman.
The offense was given prime real estate in the opening minute of the game, setting up just outside the red zone after recovering a muffed kickoff return. After gaining just four yards in three plays, they lined up for a 44-yard field goal. Kicker Shawn Andrew pushed it wide of the uprights and visiting Carson-Newman took advantage of the opportunity and used a 12-play drive, capped by a 14-yard touchdown run, to take a 7-0 lead.
Coach Shane Richardson spoke about the impact of these types of turning-point plays after the defeat in the home finale.
“Well, I think every play matters,” said Richardson. “There’s never a play you can take off, or think you can sweep under the rug…a lot of little things start to add up and before you know it, it becomes the big things.”
The UNCP (2-7) coach has watched a similar script play out on too many occasions this year, including last week’s loss to Mars Hill when the offense moved the ball down to the 1-yard line on the first possession and was stuffed on three straight runs before settling for a field goal.
With 1:44 left in the second quarter, Carson-Newman (7-4) fumbled again inside their own territory, this time on a muffed punt return. The Braves took over on the 37-yard line, down 14-10, but a fourth-and-3 turned into a fourth-and-8 after a false start penalty. After a timeout, Richardson decided to punt, relinquishing the opportunity to take their first lead.
Braves running back Quadrin Williams led the team with 18 carries, gaining 47 yards and scoring the team’s only touchdown on a 3-yd run that tied the game at seven with 6:05 left in the first. The junior captain was on the field for most of the team’s missed chances and was candid in describing those deciding downs.
“I think we kind of went down after we didn’t make the plays, so it’s just like coach [Richardson] said, we got to take advantage of the plays when the time come and we got to step up to the plate,” said Williams.
Quarterback Josh Jones struggled to gain a rhythm and failed to connect with receivers, compounded by multiple drops. He finished 11-of-32 with one interception that was returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
For most of the first half, the defense was able to contain the Eagles’ triple option look that produced well over 300 yards per contest ahead of the matchup. But big plays plagued the unit time and again, which Richardson says came down to technique and focus.
“If one guy doesn’t do his job the right way defending this type of offense, then it can really be bad and they can rip off those big runs like that,” said Richardson. “That’s how their offense is set up, they try to lull you to sleep a little bit, then all of a sudden, if you’re not disciplined enough and everybody fitting in perfectly, then that can happen.”
The Eagles gained 432 yards on the ground, marking the six straight contest the Braves defense has surrendered over 400 yards.
Running backs Demitri Saulsberry and Marcus Williams gashed the Braves defense with sprints of 75 and 60 respectively. The Saulsberry run came early in the second quarter after UNCP receiver Eric Price lost a fumble inside the red zone. Saulsberrry took a handoff on the next play and turned it into the longest run of the game, giving the visitors a 14-7 lead.
The Braves had pulled to within one possession late in the third quarter after a 32-yard field goal by Alex Alvarado. But Williams, who finished with 110 yards rushing, scored on a 28-yard touchdown run that widened the gap to 27-13 with 5:37 left in the game. Both Sherron Jackson and Antonio Wimbush finished with a rushing touchdown and combined for 200 yards on the ground.
UNCP ends the season at Catwaba next Saturday.
