PEMBROKE — A successful 2023 campaign for the UNC Pembroke football team has not gone unnoticed by fellow coaches as the Braves were picked to finish second this fall with the release of the Mountain East Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Black & Gold picked up three first-place votes and a total of 73 points in Monday’s release, behind Charleston who collected six first-place votes and 77 total points. Frostburg State was third earning one first-place vote with 68 total points.

Points were awarded on a 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis and coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.

UNCP is fresh off of a 2023 season where the team went 7-3 overall and 6-3 in league play. The Braves closed out the season on a four-game winning streak in its first year under the leadership of head coach Mark Hall. The team logged a pair of shutout victories in consecutive weeks and averaged 40.4 points per game.

The Braves will officially begin the 2024 season on Aug. 31 when they welcome Wingate to town for Military Appreciation Night. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Grace P. Johnson Stadium. Tickets can be purchased at uncpbraves.com/tickets.