win on the road!
UNCP has not lost at home since October 2007. But
to go into the house of a winning football program like
Fayetteville State University and come away with a win is a
major milestone for the three-year-old program!
On the field, the inau-
gural Two Rivers Classic
was an instant classic. It
took two overtimes for
the Braves to defeat the
powerhouse Broncos,
who, at this writing, were
in a dog fight on top of
the CIAA Conference.
UNCP racked up
more than 530 yards of
total offense, including
353 on the ground. It was
a 21-yard touchdown
pass from quarterback
Cory Smith to Jamal
Williams in the second
overtime period that fi-
nally got the best of FSU,
41-34.
In the stands, more
than 2,000 Brave fans
proved they can travel to support their team, another litmus
test of a quality program. In an unusual show of respect,
Bronco coach Kenny Phillips gave kudos to the throngs of
Pembroke supporters.
Athletic Director Dan Kenney said I-95 was a stream of
Brave fans and flags flying.
"It made me proud to see that kind of support," Kenney
said. "Both institutions benefitted from the positive public-
ity generated by the Two Rivers Classic.
"FSU was a gracious host," he said. "There were no
negatives just tremendous sportsmanship on both sides."
When UNCP decided to play football, the institution
could not imagine that it could be this good, he said.
Kenney also noted the large number of elected officials in
attendance.
"It will be difficult to top the first edition of this rivalry,"
he concluded.
Supporting the travel team was the Office for Advance-
ment, which hosted nearly 250 at its pre-game cook-out
in the parking lot of the Felton Capel Arena. The guest list
included state Sen. David Weinstein, Larry Chavis '72,
and wife, Loleta, donors and former Trustee Bob and Faye
Caton, Robeson School Superintendent Johnny Hunt '85
and wife, Demetrius, Board of Trustees Chairwoman
Dr. Freda Porter `78 and her guest Greg Bryant, Dr. and
Mrs. Curt Locklear Jr., Kellie `93 and Jonathan `90 Blue,
Gary Locklear `70 and
wife, Mollie `74, UNC
Board of Governor Dr.
Cheryl Locklear `75, former
Trustee and donor Mac
Campbell `68 and Trustee
Lorna McNeill Ricotta '01
and husband, Dr. Patrick
Ricotta.
They tossed bean bags
(hand-crafted by Allen
Glenn '81), won door priz-
es and were entertained
by cheerleaders, the dance
team and the Spirit of the
Carolinas Marching Band.
Aaron Thomas '99 came
to the game in style, said
Alisia Oxendine, director
of major gifts.
"The tailgating party
Oxendine said. "The RV helped make it a central, visible
location for our alumni and friends."
Coach Pete Shinnick, who understandably downplays
landmarks, offered these thoughts on the game.
"We preached to our guys all through the preseason
that we were going to be in great shape and that we were
going to wear on people, and I am proud of them because
they had one more play in them than Fayetteville State did
tonight," Shinnick said.
The Braves never trailed and led by three points with 42
seconds remaining. But the home-standing Broncos came
back one more time.
The first overtime ended in a tie, with both teams getting
field goals. Smith's strike to Williams on third down on the
first possession of the final period proved to be the winning
margin. Fayetteville State was not finished, getting 12 yards
from the goal line before being turned back.
Landmarks have been coming with regularity for Coach
Pete Shinnick's team.