FAYETTEVILLE — The Two Rivers Cup now resides in Pembroke.

In a battle for region football supremacy, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke Braves hoisted the trophy high in the air Saturday following its dramatic 41-34 double overtime victory over No. 24 Fayetteville State in the inaugural Two Rivers Classic at Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium.

With “STOP ME — KANT” inscribed on his eye black, UNCP wide receiver Jamal Williams saved his best catch for last.

After both teams traded field goals in the first overtime session, Williams caught the go-ahead 21-yard touchdown pass on a fade route from Cory Smith in the back of the end zone on a third-down play.

Williams played sparingly in the second half because of cramps, but told head coach Pete Shinnick he had one or two more routes in him before the overtime. Williams caught six passes for 86 yards in the game.

“We had to fight for each and every yard tonight,” Williams said. “I didn’t win this game tonight. It was a total team effort.”

After Jamal Williams' touchdown catch, Broncos quarterback Benjamin Williams came up short on a 4th-and-13 from the 15-yard line, giving the Braves the season-opening win. Williams finished 16-of-28 for 187 yards and three touchdowns in the loss.

“This was one heckuva game to start this rivalry,” Shinnick said. “It’s hard to even imagine a game like this. Coach Phillips had his guys prepared and they played well. Fortunately, we made one more play to win the game.”

UNCP's offense gained 537 total yards, a rare feat against one of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's best defenses.

Broncos kicker Austin Turner forced overtime with a 34-yard field goal as time expired in regulation.

UNCP running back Travis Daniels gained 214 yards on the ground, including a school-record 89-yard touchdown run with 4:50 to play in the fourth quarter that gave the Braves a 28-21 lead. The celebration on the Braves’ sideline soon ended as FSU tied the game on its next possession with a 61-yard scoring pass from Williams to Barry Dunn.

“Our guys fought hard tonight but we made some uncharacteristic plays,” FSU coach Kenny Phillips said. “UNC Pembroke did a great job doing what they wanted to do offensively. The fans from UNCP follow their team well and it turned out to be a great atmosphere.”

Turnovers proved costly for the Broncos, as both lost fumbles turned into eventual touchdowns for the Braves. Seventy-First graduate JT McCoy spearheaded UNCP on defense, recording eight tackles.

UNCP opens its home schedule next Saturday against St. Pauls.