SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – No other team in Mountain East Conference football history can claim five conference titles, except for Notre Dame College. On Saturday, the Falcons clinched at least a share of the MEC championship when they defeated UNC Pembroke in dominant fashion, 27-0. The win also represents NDC's first shutout of the 2022 campaign.

Prior to kickoff, one of the most important senior classes in NDC history was honored on the field. Darrius Alston, Chris Brimm, Dominic Buttazzoni, Adam Riegler, Tavon Hooks, Nathan Moore, Blake Traylor, Bryce Traylor, Jack Kosko, Jaylen Riley, Robert Singletary Jr., Jeremy Hamilton and Nick Beans were celebrated for their achievements.

"You look at our seniors, guys who have been committed to this program for five years, obviously, it starts with them," said head coach Garrett Mack. "Different head coaches and different coaching staffs, but this group of seniors and their commitment to this program has put this place on the map. I'm blessed, as a coach, to have these guys. I go to work and they make it fun for me. These guys just care so much about Notre Dame."

The teams tried to adjust to one of the biggest obstacles of the day: the wind. The strong gusts made pass plays and kicks tough to execute. In the opening quarter, seven of the nine drives resulted in punts. However, the Falcons' offense would put together a strong 67-yard drive to score the game's first touchdown, midway through the first.

On their second drive of the game, Notre Dame was looking at a 3rd and 4 on their own 39-yard line, following a seven-yard run by Idris Lawrence. A holding call on UNC Pembroke gave NDC a first down and the offense would start to click. Driving into the wind, quarterback Chris Brimm was successful on back-to-back big pass plays. The first was caught by Michael Solomon for 37 yards and then a pass near the left sideline was caught by Jeremy Hamilton, who turned up field for a touchdown, using a block by Solomon, with 5:08 on the first quarter clock.

The NDC defense was locking down in coverage and making the day miserable for UNC Pembroke. And after multiple close calls, the Falcons were finally able to intercept a pass in the first quarter, when Jacalyn Morrison stripped the ball from a receiver and popped it into the air for Antoine Holloway II to grab the turnover. 

On the defensive side, NDC did not allow UNC Pembroke to gain a first down for the first 28 minutes of the game. The Braves would gain three first downs on their final drive of the first half.

"From the staff, to the players, it's a complete buy in," Mack mentioned, talking about the defense. "Our guys have done one heck of a job since day one of camp and we continue to get better. And that's the fun thing: We can continue to grow, as a unit. And, obviously that's our brand of football, play fast, play physical and play with emotion."

Teddy Tiokeng had an incredible day on the defensive line. He set career-highs with 13 tackles and four quarterback hurries. He tied career-highs with three tackles for loss and two sacks. Nathan Moore became the program leader in career solo tackles and assisted tackles after recording five of each, along with 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries. Zion Hawkins also had career-highs with 1.5 sacks and three QB hurries, to go along with seven tackles.

NDC totaled six sacks and 14 QB hurries, which both mark season-highs. Six sacks in a game is tied for sixth most in program history.

On the first drive of the second quarter, NDC's offense took the field near midfield, following a punt. Lawrence made his presence felt by running three times for 31 yards. Tyris Dickerson would run five yards, but then the drive would stall out. Cameron Shirkey was called upon and, with the wind at his back, put the ball through the uprights from 40 yards away.

Lawrence finished the game with 104 yards, his fourth game of over 100 rushing yards this season.

After the NDC defense forced Pembroke to punt, again, NDC drove 33 yards down the field with short, but effective, plays. Shirkey put a 31-yard field goal through and gave the Falcons a 13-0 advantage.

In the first half, the Braves punted the ball six times. They finally moved the chains with three first downs on their final drive of the first half, and went 54 yards down the field. Josh Jones completed two passes of 18 yards, or more. In the redzone, on NDC's 11 yard line, Jones went back to pass, but Wendell McClain jumped in front of the intended receiver and intercepted the ball on the goal line to end the threat. McClain now has five picks on the year.

The Falcons punted on their first drive of the third quarter, but the defense would get the ball right back, with another takeaway. On UNC Pembroke's drive, Jones looked right and threw the ball, but did not see Cael Bright. Just beyond the line of scrimmage, Bright put his arms up and grabbed the ball out of the air. He set the NDC offense up on Pembroke's 15.

It would take two plays to get back into the endzone as Brimm found Hamilton for the second time on the day, over the middle for six more points. After the extra point, the Falcons led 20-0.

"[Chris and I] just kind of have a connection," said Hamilton, who now leads the team in touchdown receptions, with four. "Sometimes the route may be different, but, we look at each other, reroute, he throws me the ball and I just make a play. I'm blessed to play with him and have the accomplishments that we have achieved."

The final scoring drive of the game began near the end of the third quarter and the Falcons immediately began to move forward. A 21-yard run by Lawrence put Notre Dame in Pembroke territory. Two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties were called on the Braves and Notre Dame was into the red zone. Brimm threw his third touchdown pass of the game to Reece Perkins for 16 yards.

"That's a good feeling, to be able to come out here after we had another good week of practice," Brimm said. "To be able to come out and get a win, on Senior Day is a testament to our hard work as a team. Being able to buy in as an offense and defense."

UNC Pembroke continued playing hard until the final whistle, looking for a touchdown, but the Falcons wanted the shutout more. Beginning with about eight minutes on the fourth quarter clock, the Braves began a drive that would last over five minutes and totaled 69 yards. But, the Falcons stopped them on the five yard line with a sack by Moore. After an NDC fumble, UNC Pembroke got the ball on NDC's 15, but they would turn it over on downs, again.

The Falcons will wrap up the regular season with a road trip to Alderson Broaddus University, on Nov. 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.