PEMBROKE, N.C. – The Concord University football team fell in non-conference action to UNC-Pembroke, 48-34, Saturday evening at Grace P. Johnson Stadium.
The early going of the game featured four lead changes as Concord (1-7) got on the board first with a 38-yard field goal from freshman kicker
Luke Walls to conclude the opening drive of the game. But, the CU lead was short lived as the Braves (2-4) ran back the ensuing kickoff for 97 yards to go up 7-3.
On the next Concord drive, junior wide receiver
Brandon Plyler capped a 69-yard drive by making a catch in triple coverage for a 30-yard touchdown to give Concord a 10-7 edge with 7:49 remaining in the first quarter.
The Braves carried a 14-10 lead into the second quarter a touchdown drive that took up seven minutes.
After each team traded punts early in the second quarter, sophomore quarterback
Adam Fulton found sophomore wide receiver
Isaiah Bowman over the middle for a 37-yard catch-and-score.
The final two touchdowns of the first half belonged to UNC-Pembroke as the Braves scored to take a 21-17 lead on CU before forcing a turnover by the Mountain Lions and capitalizing with a touchdown with 10 seconds left until halftime. At the break, Concord trailed 28-17.
Down 42-17, the Maroon and Gray responded with 15 straight points in the fourth quarter. Fulton connected with redshirt freshman wide receiver
Jamal Fisher for a seven-yard touchdown. It was the first career touchdown reception for Fisher.
Five minutes later, junior quarterback
Kyle Akin hit Plyler in the back of the endzone for a 14-yard touchdown and the second score of the night for the Fort Mill, South Carolina.
UNC-Pembroke recovered the ensuing onside kick and drove down for a final touchdown. The Mountain Lions were able to block the point after try as sophomore defensive back
Jonathan Roebuck ran back the block for a two-point defensive conversion.
Plyler hauled in six catches for 112 yards while notching his fifth career multi-touchdown game. Pearce added seven receptions for 97 yards. Akin and Fulton combined for 291 yards through the air with four touchdowns and just one interception.
Bowman was the top rusher for CU as he ran for 77 yards on 11 carries. Freshman running back
Kris Copeland added 64 yards on the ground.
The Mountain Lions outgained UNCP 459-376 for the game.
Defensively, senior linebacker
Zach Malone led Concord with seven tackles. Junior defensive back
Ke'Shawn Hall and senior defensive lineman
Justin Noble added six tackles each.
After two straight road games, the Mountain Lions return home to face West Liberty 12:00 p.m. Saturday.
