PEMBROKE, N.C. — The Monroe University Mustangs dropped a 24-6 decision to UNC Pembroke on Saturday afternoon at Grace P. Johnson Stadium. With the loss, Monroe falls to 1-3 on the season, while the Braves improve to 4-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Mustangs controlled the clock for much of the afternoon, holding a 38:32-21:28 advantage in time of possession and recording 19 first downs. Monroe finished the contest with 285 yards of total offense, including 172 through the air and 113 on the ground.
Monroe opened the game with a 13-play, 57-yard drive, but the Mustangs were unable to convert the opportunity into points after a missed 35-yard field goal. UNC Pembroke answered with an eight-play, 80-yard drive, capped by a 45-yard touchdown run from Jake Davids with 2:31 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Mustangs continued to move the ball throughout the second quarter, putting together a pair of scoring drives late in the half.
After another long Monroe possession, kicker Dimitri Grieb connected on a 47-yard field goal with 4:08 remaining in the second quarter to put the Mustangs on the board. Monroe then drove 60 yards on its next possession, with Grieb splitting the uprights again from 35 yards with five seconds remaining in the half.
Grieb's two field goals sent Monroe into halftime trailing just 7-6.
UNC Pembroke extended its lead midway through the third quarter when Rashad Dockery scored on a five-yard touchdown run, putting the Braves ahead 14-6.
The Braves added to their advantage in the fourth quarter. Jared Navidad connected on a 25-yard field goal with 8:45 remaining before Britton Pascoe returned a Monroe fumble 52 yards for a touchdown with 4:36 left in the game, accounting for the final 24-6 margin.
STATS AND NOTES
Quarterback Zavry Ward completed 15-of-30 passes for 172 yards while adding 21 yards rushing on 11 carries. Lasean Sharp provided Monroe with a productive afternoon offensively, rushing 17 times for 47 yards while adding five receptions for 78 yards. His 125 total yards from scrimmage led the Mustangs.
Amir Thames added 30 rushing yards on four carries, while Ne'khiycie Jackson contributed 15 rushing yards and one reception for 29 yards.
Grieb finished the afternoon 2-for-4 on field-goal attempts, including a long of 47 yards.
Defensively, Gavin Rembert and Benogo Diaby each recorded a team-high five tackles. Rembert also forced a fumble, while Diaby recovered a fumble for the Mustangs. Artez Jones, Nireese McDougald and Deon McKinnon each added four tackles.
Monroe finished 5-of-13 on third-down attempts and converted its lone fourth-down opportunity. The Mustangs also held the ball for more than 38 minutes of the contest.
UNC Pembroke finished with 318 yards of total offense, including 173 passing yards and 145 rushing yards. Davids led the Braves with 87 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Dockery added 48 yards and a score. Malik Brown hauled in five receptions for 97 yards.
UP NEXT
The Mustangs return to action on Saturday, October 10Â when they travel to face Southern Connecticut State. Game-time is set for 1:00 p.m.
