WINGATE — The UNC Pembroke football team used a late fourth quarter rally to spark the offense, but No. 17 Wingate put up points in every quarter to defeat the Braves 30-21 on Saturday evening at Irwin Belk Stadium.
The Braves (0-1) have now dropped their season opener in the last two seasons and fall to 1-6 when playing at Wingate. The Bulldogs (1-0) have now won 13 straight season openers and improve to 10-3 all-time against UNCP.
Wingate started its opening drive on its own 43-yard line and picked up a gain of five yards with a run from Elijah Holmes. Holmes completed a pass to Carlos Estronza followed by a 5-yard run from Xavier Pugh for a first down. The Bulldogs had to settle for a 42-yard field goal for the first score of the game and a 3-0 lead.
The Braves began their drive on t