With the sports world dormant due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Limestone College Athletics Media Relations Office will help our fans relive some of the key moments from the 2019-20 athletic year by re-releasing some of last season's highlights in a biweekly segment called "Saints Sights of the Season"
 
In addition to sending out the recap, the Media Relations Office will also make the archived video stream of that contest available to the public free of charge. Fans are also welcome to visit the Saints Sports Network, www.conferencecarolinasdn.com/limestone, to watch previous live streams at no cost.   
 
PEMBROKE, N.C. – Junior running back Jerko'ya Patton (Charlotte, N.C.) rushed for three touchdowns and redshirt-junior QB DJ Phillips (Fayetteville, N.C.) went 9-of-17 for 192 yards and a score to help lead the Limestone College football team past UNC Pembroke, snapping a 15-game losing skid with a 41-25 decision on Saturday, September 28 at Grace P. Johnson Stadium.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Limestone 41, UNC Pembroke 25
Records: Limestone (1-3), UNC Pembroke (2-2)
Location: Grace P. Johnson Stadium
Video Stream: Click here

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
 

• Phillips rebounded nicely from last week with a 216.8 quarterback rating
• Sophomore QB Alec Morton (Simpsonville, S.C.) went 1-of-2 for 75 yards and a touchdown
• Patton set a single-game record with three rushing TDs
• He finished with 117 all-purpose yards on 79 yards rushing and 38 yards receiving
• Sophomore RB Malik Brooks (Saluda, S.C.) added 99 yards and a touchdown on nine carries
• Sophomore WR Juwan Scott (North Charleston, S.C.) finished with 97 yards and a TD
• Junior WR Cedric Smith (Columbia, S.C.) hauled in three catches for 87 yards and a score
• Junior WR Quay Brown (Rock Hill, S.C.) posed three receptions for 45 yards
• Senior LB Wesley Robinson (Spartanburg, S.C.) led the team with eight tackles
• Limestone outgained UNC Pembroke 448-403 in total yardage

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter
 
The Braves took the opening kickoff and promptly moved down the field to take a 6-0 lead as a 25-yard touchdown reception by Faheem Diaab capped a 9-play, 83-yard drive. Senior Christian Shupe (Hull, Ga.) would block the extra point attempt, and then Limestone responded on its first drive on offense.
 
The Saints opened their first possession when Phillips found Brown on a 20-yard slant before Patton found daylight on a 3^rd-and-3 with a 38-yard touchdown run a few plays later. Following a defensive stop, Patton had his way on the ensuring drive with a 27-yard catch-and-run before scoring from 20 yards out.
 
Second Quarter
 
Another defensive stand by Limestone got the Braves off the field, and the offense responded with another scoring march. Brooks busted lose for a 76-yard run up the gut before closing the drive with a TD plunge two-yards out, making it 20-6. A roughing call by UNCP on a field goal kept the Saints on the field.  
 
UNC Pembroke countered on its ensuing possession as the home team used a long 13-play, 83-yard drive that churned 7:36 off the clock to cut the margin to 20-13 with a touchdown run. The Blue and Gold rushed for 170 yards over the first 30 minutes and powered ahead on the strength of three rushing TDs.
 
Third Quarter
 
Limestone kept it rolling to start the third as Phillips found Brown for 13 yards before hitting Smith for a 56-yard catch-and-run on a tunnel screen. Patton then set a Saints single-game record with his third rushing touchdown of the night, taking it in from a yard out to make it a 27-13 game with 13:39 left.
 
The Braves again answered with another long drive that went 75 yards on 13 plays over a span of 6:38 as the home team closed the gap. Senior Timarkus Dawkins (Gaffney, S.C.) would block the extra point attempt as the Blue and Gold maintained a 27-19 advantage midway through the third quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter
 
Finishing off a drive that started late in the third, UNC Pembroke again went 80 yards on 11 plays to close the margin to 27-25 on an eight-yard touchdown scramble by QB Josh Jones. The Saints denied the two-point conversion that would have tied the contest, and Limestone responded immediately on offense.
 
The Blue and Gold needed just one play to regain a two-score advantage, 34-25, as Morton hit Scott in stride down the visiting sideline for a 75-yard catch-and-score. Pembroke threatened on its next two possessions, but the Limestone defense forced back-to-back turnovers on downs to get off the field.
 
After the defense made a stand, the Saints took the ball at the 50-yard line and would apply the dagger seven plays later while also taking 4:31 off the clock. Phillips hit Smith for a 16-yard gain on 3^rd-and-3 early in the drive before the duo hooked up for a 17-yard score as Limestone pulled away, 41-25.
 
TURNING POINT
 
Despite giving up a score on the opening possession by the Braves, Limestone took control of the contest with three straight touchdown drives in the first half. UNC Pembroke would close to within 27-25 early in the fourth, but the Saints put the game away with two touchdowns down the stretch.
 
NOTABLES
 

• Limestone posted its first win since defeating Newberry, 27-24, on October 21, 2017
• It was the Saints largest margin of victory since an 18-point win at Lenoir-Rhyne in 2016
• The Blue and Gold's 438 yards of total offense was the seventh-highest mark in team history
• Limestone tied a team single-game record with four rushing touchdowns
• Morton and Scott's 75-yard scoring play was the fifth longest pass play in program history
• With his 76-yard carry in the second quarter, Brooks set a team record for the longest rush
• Sophomore DE Sayrend Musgrove (Yokosuka, Japan) and freshman DE Devonte Allen (Cincinnati, Ohio) both registered sacks – Allen posted a sack for a second straight week

 
UP NEXT
 
The Limestone Athletics Media Relations Office will recap the women's volleyball win over Emmanuel on Monday, April 6.