CRAWFORD's CORNER

Back on the court

2009-10-17T08:46:00.002-04:00

Ben Miller felt what it was like to coach UNCP's men's basketball team last season. Entering his second year at the helm, Miller likes what he sees so far from his young team . . .

Braves open basketball practice

Braves football hits bye

2009-10-17T08:44:00.003-04:00

UNCP has won three consecutive games and the defense is ranked in the nation for fewest points and yards allowed. Is this the perfect time for a bye week? Pete Shinnick thinks so . ..

Streaking Braves enjoy bye week

Jalaquon McNeill has been through it all

2009-10-17T08:42:00.001-04:00

Lumberton senior linebacker Jalaquon McNeill talks about the struggles of growing up without a father and how football has become an avenue for changing his life . . .

McNeill and the game of life

Prep Playoff Predictions

2009-10-17T08:41:00.002-04:00

Write a column on Swett losing to Richmond and get hate mail. Say the game is unwinnable and you'll most likely receive death threats . . .

Mustangs, Pirates race toward 2nd place

Surprise? UNCP is ranked

2009-10-07T07:20:00.001-04:00

My thoughts on UNCP's first national ranking and why the Braves are a legit power in Division II football . . .

Winning brings high expectations

Smith headlines the UNCP spread

2009-10-07T07:17:00.004-04:00

How is UNCP averaging 35 points per game this season? Cory Smith. The junior quarterback is now 16-3 as a starter following Saturday's 30-3 homecoming pasting of Webber International AND Smith has the Braves ranked for the first time in school history . . .

Smith leads the UNCP offense

Purnell Swett is 6-0, not ranked

2009-09-30T08:45:00.003-04:00

Mark Heil's Purnell Swett Rams are 6-0 and it's because of a talented defense loaded with underclassmen . . .

Defense key in Swett's unbeaten start

Fairmont native goes PRO

2009-09-30T08:47:00.003-04:00

Fairmont's Gini Grimsley signed a professional contract to play basketball in Germany. She played her first game last Saturday . . .

Grimsley plays for Terner TC

Lumberton rolls past Laney, 34-7

2009-09-30T08:50:00.001-04:00

Pirates running back Maurice Lewis picks up 229 yards against the Buccaneers, in the first half . . .

Brill, Pirates win in Wilmington

REDEMPTION: Braves face Wingate

2009-09-12T10:53:00.002-04:00

Can UNCP shrug off history and beat the Bulldogs? Wingate has won the first two games in the series by a combined score of 80-30. . . Game is a 2 p.m. and will be streamed LIVE on UNCPBraves.com

UNCP battles Wingate today at 2 p.m. in Pembroke

Bulldogs show spurts of success

2009-09-09T13:44:00.002-04:00

St. Pauls has a pair of talented quarterbacks, but a defense that gives up too many yards . .. .

Hunt excels under center for the Bulldogs

Braves set for home opener

2009-09-04T17:56:00.003-04:00

St. Paul's has had four days to prepare for UNCP, winners of nine straight games. The Tigers received helmets and pads on Monday. Think St. Paul's has a shot at tackling WR Jamal Williams and RB Travis Daniels with little practice? Tomorrow's game in Pembroke may get ugly. . . fast . . .

UNCP plays Tigers in home opener

UNCP shuts out St. Paul's 37-0

2009-09-06T14:10:00.003-04:00

UNCP posted its third shut out in 3 seasons Saturday, blanking the St. Paul's College Tigers 37-0 in Pembroke. A crowd of 2,300 snapped a four-game sellout streak. I assume most of the students are away enjoying Labor Day weekend. Also, QB Matt Evans has moved up the depth chart to the No. 2 position, overtaking Garrett Sutphen. Evans completed three passes for 49 yards in the fourth quarter Saturday in his first action of the season.

Hann picks off two passes as Braves roll

Gamecock defense shuts down 'Pack

2009-09-04T17:53:00.003-04:00

Steve Spurrier still doesn't have a reliable unit on offense. Fortunately for the Gamecocks, the defense played outstanding in Thursday's season-opener . . .

Cocks hold State to 133 total yards on ESPN

Missed chances doom 'Pack

2009-09-04T17:50:00.002-04:00

The bad thing is, Russell Wilson showed he's not as fast against the SEC's speedy defenders. The good thing is, the Gamecocks are 1-0 . . . The 'Pack has scored 3 points the last two games vs. South Carolina.

State doesn't get past SC's 25-yard line

Wilson, 'Pack in for stellar season

2009-09-02T12:27:00.003-04:00

Heisman hopeful? You can bet on it.

Read above on why I think Russell Wilson is not only the ACC's top quarterback, but possibly the No. 1 playmaker in the nation. I am covering SC-NCSU tomorrow night in Raleigh, stay tuned to the blog on Friday for my analysis on the season-opener for both teams.

Daniels makes most of opportunity

2009-08-30T09:23:00.002-04:00

FAYETTEVILLE – In front of 8,300 fans Saturday night in the Two Rivers Classic, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke running back Travis Daniels wanted to make the most of his opportunity.

Locked in a battle with last season’s starter Rashon Kennedy throughout spring and fall practice, Daniels made the most of his 25 attempts versus the Broncos in UNCP’s wild 41-34 double overtime win.

The 5-foot-10 native of Washington, N.C. notched a school-record 229 all-purpose yards, including 213 on the ground. Daniels chewed up the field turf at Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium, providing the game’s most stunning highlight – an 89-yard touchdown scamper with 4:50 to play in the fourth quarter.

After clearing the Broncos defensive line with his initial burst, Daniels put a move on two defenders at midfield and sprinted down the right sideline for the score causing an eruption of cheers from UNCP supporters.

His second touchdown of the contest silenced the home crowd and gave his team a 28-21 lead.

“I knew when my number was called I had to make the most of it,” Daniels said. “Coach told me during practice I would get a lot more carries this season. I just wanted to do my best out there.”

Bruised and beaten after the final horn, Daniels said he had to trust in himself and his teammates.

“I just try to run hard,” Daniels said. “I put a lot of work in this fall and during two-a-days. I tried to prepare for this season as best as possible. My team was able to open up running lanes tonight.”

Head coach Pete Shinnick raved about Daniels and Kennedy’s talents after each fall scrimmage and gave each running back his own share of carries in the season-opener.

Kennedy gained 101 yards on 23 carries as the Braves rolled up 353 rushing yards as a team. Shinnick called 57 rushing plays to just 24 through the air.

“We preached to our guys all through the preseason that we were going to be in great shape and that we were going to wear on people, and I am proud of them because they had one more play in them than Fayetteville State did tonight,” Shinnick said. “I think our defense was caught off guard on a couple of things that they did tonight, but I think our offense has a lot more confidence this year and we were able to get it done on that side of the ball.”

Braves win Two Rivers in 2 OTs

2009-08-30T09:02:00.001-04:00

More coverage coming later . . .

Jamal Williams' TD wins it for the Braves

Column: Williams leads UNCP

2009-08-26T12:09:00.001-04:00

First column ever, printed this morning.

Crawford's Corner Wednesday Column

Rivalry game set for Saturday

2009-08-25T11:14:00.002-04:00

INFO from the Media/Press luncheon yesterday at FSU's Capel Arena . . .

Broncos, Braves vie for Two Rivers Cup

FSU All-American OUT for Saturday

2009-08-25T11:07:00.004-04:00

Fayetteville State's Richard Medlin will not play Saturday against UNCP in the Two Rivers Classic. The All-American running back from Raleigh is being held out of action by the CIAA after a fight against Livingstone in 2008 . . .

Medlin suspended for Saturday's Two Rivers Classic

Two Rivers Classic Coverage

2009-08-23T12:54:00.002-04:00

Stay tuned for UNCP at Fayetteville State coverage in this week's Robesonian newspaper as our sports staff prepares our readers for Saturday's inaugural Classic in Fayetteville:

Tuesday - Media Day Coverage
Wednesday - Column on UNCP player
Thursday - Feature
Friday - Story
Saturday - Two Rivers Classic Preview w/ lineups, spotlights and prediction
Sunday - Game wrapup, postgame analysis

Swett beats E.E. Smith in Fayetteville

2009-08-22T09:31:00.001-04:00

It took nearly 3 1/2 quarters, but Purnell Swett's offense finally woke up in the fourth frame, scoring the game's final 14 points for a 20-6 win Friday.

Ethan Clark's two TDs leads Swett past Bulls

Robeson County Preps Jamboree

2009-08-13T19:49:00.002-04:00

Robeson County's inaugural football jamboree will be held Friday evening at UNCP. Purnell Swett will be the first team to scrimmage starting at 6:30 p.m.

Swett, Lumberton included in Friday's scrimmage lineup

UNCP starts Two-A-Days

2009-08-12T12:51:00.001-04:00

My first story as a Robesonian staff writer.

UNCP begins full contact with pads