TIGERVILLE, S.C. – UNC Pembroke won the 2026 Conference Carolinas Bowl on Saturday. The Braves defeated host North Greenville University 21-14.
The contest was scoreless through the first quarter, and North Greenville took the lead on a 16-yard run from Deshawn Tompkins in the middle of the second period. UNC Pembroke matched that score when Josh Ehrlich found Malik Brown for a 19-yard touchdown 52 seconds before halftime.
Another Trailblazer rush, this time from Brendan Mansinne in the opening minute of the fourth quarter put North Greenville back ahead. Two minutes later, Ehrlich found Jake Davids to even the score at 14.
The score remained the same until Ehrlich connected with Brown again, this one for 91 yards with 2:14 remaining. The Braves then made a defensive stand to take the contest 21-14.
Ehrlich completed 11-of-19 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Brown posted six receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns.
UNC Pembroke earns the Conference Carolinas automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Football Championship. The selection show will air on NCAA.com on Sunday, November 15 at 6:00 p.m.
Conference Carolinas Bowl MVP
Josh Ehrlich, UNC Pembroke
Builder Services of North Carolina Elite Scholar-Athlete Award
Matthew Hynes, UNC Pembroke