Wingate, N.C.----The defending SAC champion Wingate University Bulldogs opened up the 2025 season in style, prevailing 30-21 against UNC Pembroke in NCAA Division II football action at Irwin Belk Stadium and Founders Field. Wingate starts the season 1-0 for the 13th straight year, while the Braves fall to 0-1 on the season. The two teams were meeting in the season opener for the second straight year. The 'Dogs have now won 10 of 13 against UNCP in the all-time series, with six straight wins.

KEY STATS

- Wingate had 222 passing yards and 135 rushing yards for 357 yards of total offense
- UNCP had 255 passing yards and 83 rushing yards, totaling 338 yards of offense
- The Bulldogs had a 21-17 advantage in first downs
- Wingate held the ball for over 33 minutes in the contest
- The 'Dogs had three of the four sacks in the contest
- UNCP was five-for-17 on third down and one-for-one on fourth down
- Wingate went zero-for-10 on third down and two-for-three on fourth down
- The Braves had the only turnover on the night

KEY BULLDOGS

- Elijah Holmes was 17-for-27 for 222 yards and two touchdowns
- Xavier Pugh had 106 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries
- Xavier Jackson had four receptions for 92 yards
- Carlos Estronza had five catches for 42 yards and a touchdown
- Laron Warner added 2 grabs for 32 yards and a TD
- Jaquan Edwards had nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a QB hurry
- Jaden White added seven tackles with a pair of TFLs
- Jonathen Cross notched six tackles with two TFLs and a sack
- Omar Ba had three tackles and an interception
- Guy Taylor had two tackles, a sack and four QB hurries
- Caleb Bonesteel made three field goals of 40 yards or more, adding three PATs
- Lawson Thorn had five touchbacks on his seven kickoffs
- Rivers Teeter averaged 37.7 yards per punt on three punts, with all three inside the 20

FIRST QUARTER

- Wingate forced a punt on the first UNCP possession, then went 32 yards on 12 plays
- A Bonesteel 42-yard field goal opened the scoring at the 6:58 mark
- Ba picked off UNCP quarterback Marcus Martin on the ensuing drive, returning it to the UNCP 15
- Holmes hit Jackson for 12 yards on the next play, setting up first and goal
- Pugh punched it in from three yards out to make it 10-0
- Martin connected with Que Kennedy for a 15-yard touchdown to get the Braves on the board

SECOND QUARTER

- Wingate went 75 yards on seven plays to regain a 10-point lead
- Holmes hit Jackson for 28 yards to cap the first quarter, getting it into Pembroke territory
- Holmes found Estronza for an 18-yard touchdown to put the 'Dogs on top 17-7

THIRD QUARTER

- Wingate used a six-play, 58-yard drive to take a 24-7 lead midway through the third
- Holmes connected with Jaylen Himes for 18 yards, getting it inside the UNCP 20
- Holmes found Warner for a 15-yard TD to extend the lead to 17 at the 5:48 mark

FOURTH QUARTER

- A Tre Robinson two-yard touchdown run in the opening minute of the final frame made it 24-14
- Wingate answered with an eight-play, 52-yard drive
- Holmes found Jackson for 38 yards to get it inside the Pembroke 30
- Bonesteel nailed a 40-yard field goal to make it 27-14
- Robinson connected with Brown for a 19-yard TD, making it 27-21 with 6:30 to go
- Jake Snapp returned the ensuing kickoff 52 yards, setting Wingate up in UNCP territory
- Bonesteel connected on a 42-yard field goal with 3:25 left, give the 'Dogs a 30-21 advantage
- The Braves got it into Wingate territory, but Jake Brown missed a 26-yard field goal with 1:11 left
- A Pugh nine-yard run on second and six secured a first down to clinch the Bulldog victory

UP NEXT

- Wingate is back in action in two weeks, hosting Bluefield State at 6 p.m. on Sept. 13