FROSTBURG, Md. – The No. 11 ranked UNC Pembroke Braves amassed nearly 400 yards in total offense as they defeated the Frostburg State University Bobcats 52-7 in non-conference football action, Saturday afternoon. 

Box Score

Eleven different players carried the ball for the Braves (8-1), who racked up 265 yards on the ground. UNCP entered the contest ranked eighth in NCAA Division II in rushing offense. Keith Gore led the team with 85 yards on nine carries and a touchdown, while Rashon Kennedy finished with 70 yards on 15 rushes and two scores.

Pembroke captured the early lead just under two minutes into the game. After holding FSU to just six yards on its first possession, UNCP's D.J. Ellerbe blocked the punt and recovered it in the endzone for a quick 7-0 lead.

The Braves added to their lead early in the second quarter when quarterback Cory Smith connected with St. Anthony Loyd for an 11-yard touchdown that put the visitors up 14-0.

Frostburg State (0-8) capitalized on a UNC Pembroke fumble for its only touchdown of the contest. Senior Mike Iheakanwa (Lantham, Md./Duval) stripped Smith and recovered the ball at the Pembroke 28-yard line. After a holding penalty on UNCP, junior tailback Anthony King (Germatown, Md./Northwest) scampered 18 yards for an FSU touchdown.

However, UNCP scored on its final two drives of the second half for a 24-7 halftime lead. Kennedy found the endzone from two yards out and Taylor Baskett booted a 24-yard field goal with 30 seconds left.

The second half was dominated by the Braves as they scored four touchdowns, two in each quarter. Pembroke received the second half kickoff and drove 69 yards on seven plays for it's first score of the half. Backup quarterback Garrett Sutphen tossed a 23-yard touchdown to L.J. Johnson for a 31-7 lead. On its next drive, UNCP scored again, this time Daniel Williams scored from a yard out to cap a seven-play 45-yard drive for a 31-7 advantage.

In the fourth quarter, Gore finished off the game's longest drive (10 plays and 73 yards) with a 26-yard touchdown run. Kennedy later scored the final touchdown, a two-yarder, for the 52-7 win.

Frostburg State was limited to 86 yards in total offense by the ninth-ranked Pembroke defense. Sophomore quarterback Josh Volpe (Germantown, Md./Northwest) threw for 45 yards on 6-of-12 attempts. Senior wideout Makiha Cooper (Baltimore, Md./Forest Park) hauled in four balls for 33 yards while Anthony ran five times for 22 yards.

Sophomore linebacker Tavis Blair (Upper Marlboro, Md./Oxon Hill) led the Bobcats with 12 tackles, 1.5 TFL and one sack.

Frostburg State hits the road next Saturday when travels to Newport News Apprentice for a 1:00 pm kickoff.