Braves Football Adapting to New Routines
Junior Linebacker David Salser. Photo/UNCP Athletics. The coronavirus pandemic has impacted everyone in many ways, and the short-term future is plagued with uncertainty. On campus, student athletes might feel this the most. What is certain: several of the contact sports have been suspended, at least until the spring season. The Braves football team can’t hold team practices because of social distancing requirements. Head football coach Shane Richardson said he can still keep
Offense Shows Flashes but Defense Reigns Supreme in Spring Scrimmage
The UNCP football team held their annual Black and Gold inter-squad scrimmage on April 11 at Grace P. Johnson Stadium. Plays were made on both sides of the ball when the Black squad faced off against the Gold squad, but it was the Gold squad that came out of the defensive bout victorious in a 10-9 triumph.
The Braves held a draft earlier this week where they elected captains to chose which players were going to be on which team. While the Black squad got starting quart
Takeaways from Football vs Carson-Newman
The Black and Gold dropped their final home contest of the 2018 season at Grace P. Johnson Stadium to the Eagles of Carson-Newman University in a mistake riddled 34-13 defeat that lead to the final box score not reflecting how closely contested this game true was. Banged-up Offensive Line Performed Well:
Despite only dressing a handful off healthy offensive linemen and having all five starters up front be first year players, they preformed very admirably and were not to blam
Running Back Josh Sheridan is a Human Highlight Reel
Redshirt junior RB Josh Sheridan is lifted in celebration by OL Gage Baldwin after scoring a touchdown. PN photo/Trevon Knight Redshirt junior running back Josh Sheridan has been the UNCP football team’s most explosive player thus far into the season. Not only is he the teams leading rusher with 141 yards, he has also racked up a team high three rushing touchdowns. While his overall numbers on the ground don’t exactly jump off the stat sheet and he has yet to eclipse the cen
Special Teams Plays Key Role in Braves' Success vs ECSU
The UNCP football team was firing on all cylinders in all three phases of the game when faced against the Vikings of Elizabeth City State University on Sept. 8 at Grace P. Johnson Stadium in their home opener in front of a rambunctious home crowd. The Braves’ special team units played an integral part in not just putting up points via field goals and extra points after touchdowns but also in setting up the other two phases of the team for success with excellent field position
The Starting Quarterback Competition is Alive and Well
Quarterback Josh Jones hooks a pass along the right sideline during UNCP’s win over Elizabeth City State. Jones went 10/19 for 100 yards and a touchdown pass in the game. PN photo/Trevon Knight After a less than lackluster performance in the season opener and being absolutely outplayed by true freshman Josh Jones, redshirt freshman Joshua Dale threw his hat back in the ring and proved that there is still an open competition at quarterback with brilliant performance on the nig
Young O-Line Expected to Pave the Way for Offensive Resurgence
The UNCP football team will welcome another first-time starter under center for the football team this year. Every young quarterback’s best friend is a strong and stout defense to relieve some of the pressure in games.
A young passer’s second and third best friend are a sturdy offensive line to provide protection as well as pave the way for the running game and stable of running backs that can make plays and keep passing downs into shorter manageable situations.
O
Humbled Braves Are Hungry for Resurgent Season
Coming off of a down year the UNCP football team looks to bounce back this season and return to the postseason after a one-year hiatus. The 2016 season saw the Braves finish with a 10-2 overall record, dropping just one game in the regular season and making it to the second round of the Division II playoffs. However, the Black and Gold took a significant step back the following season.
They failed to make it back to the postseason and only managed to win two ga
Braves Rebound from Opener by Dominating the Vikings
After battling back to take the lead in the last 12 minutes of their home opener against Winston Salem State, only to see it slip through their hands on an uncanny play in the last 75 seconds of the game. Following a semi short week of practice and reflection, the Braves blew out the Vikings of Elizabeth City State University 51-6 on Sept. 8 at Grace P. Johnson Stadium. The Braves completely dominated the Vikings in all three phases of the game, and outside of allowing a late
Braves Showcase Offensive Potential in Opener
While it took the UNCP football team’s season nearly 24 hours from its originally scheduled date and time of kick off to get going, it took 48 minutes of game action and yet another lighting related delay to jumpstart the Braves offense against the Winston-Salem State Rams.
It wasn’t until play resumed following the pause in what seemed to be a shut out in the making, that the offense came to life scored on their first three drives of what felt like an entirely new game
