HICKORY, N.C. – After breaking into the national rankings, the No. 24 Lenoir-Rhyne Football Team will look for its eighth straight win as UNC Pembroke comes to town on Saturday. The Bears, who rank third in the region, look to improve to 4-0 at Moretz Stadium this season.

LR boasts one of the most explosive offenses in Division II, ranking eighth in the nation at 41.9 points per game. The Bears also rank eighth in the nation in rushing yards per game, piling up 283.1 yards per contest.

The Bears are also explosive in special teams, ranking second with three punt returns for touchdowns. As a unit, the special teams has returned a kick or a punt for a touchdown in three straight games. Kyle Dugger returned two punts for scores against Newberry and Jaquay Mitchell took one to the house the following week against Limestone. Last week, Xzavion Huff ran back a kickoff 90 yards in a win over Fort Valley St.

UNC Pembroke enters off a 48-34 win over Concord. However, the Braves have just two wins on the season and have been outscored 71-7 by teams in the South Atlantic Conference this season. UNCP averages 27.3 points per game but allow 30 points to opposing offenses.