Boxscore

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Saint Augustine's College started fast for the fourth consecutive game, but let the lead slip away in a 31-28 overtime defeat to Fayetteville State Saturday (Oct. 1) in a CIAA Southern Division football matchup at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium.

Austin Turner of FSU kicked a 34-yard field goal in overtime which turned out to be the game winner. The Broncos (1-4, 1-1 CIAA) sealed their first win of the season after blocking a 23-yard field goal attempt on fourth down. 

The loss was heartbreaking for the Falcons (2-3, 1-2 CIAA), who led 14-0 midway in the first quarter and 28-21 late in the fourth quarter. But turnovers and miscues ultimately doomed the Falcons, who lost three fumbles and threw two interceptions. The Broncos were mistake-prone as well, fumbling twice and tossing four interceptions including two which the Falcons returned for scores. Both teams combined for 11 turnovers in the game.

The Falcons capitalized on two turnovers in the third quarter to regain the lead at 28-21. Safety Jamil Berry (Sr./Fayetteville, Ga.) picked off a pass in the flats and ran 40 yards untouched in the end zone. Alexander Tucker (Soph./Union, S.C.) kicked the extra point to tie the game at 21-21.

Two series later, defensive tackle Shonquez Nelson (Soph./Lake City, S.C.) intercepted a pass and rambled 50 yards for a touchdown. After Tucker's extra point, the Falcons were ahead by seven and momentum back on their side.

But the Broncos, with the help of two Falcon penalties, tied the game on an 11-play, 70-yard drive. A roughing-the-kicker penalty kept their drive alive and a pass interference call gave the Broncos first down at the Falcons' 11. On fourth down and 1, Colon Bailey scored from the two-yard line. Turner's extra point tied the game at 28 with 3:07 left in regulation.

The Falcons ran a fake punt on their next possession which almost worked. The Broncos were completely fooled as a Falcons' receiver was left wide open. But the receiver dropped the pass, giving the Broncos field position at the St. Aug 45 and a good shot for a game-winning field goal. But the Falcons, ranked No. 1 in the CIAA in total defense, held which sent the contest into overtime.

After forcing Turner to kick a field goal, the Falcons drove inside the Broncos' 10-yard line behind the running of Dennis Mathis (Sr./Hampton, Va.), who led all rushers with 138 yards on 27 carries for his second consecutive 100-yard plus game. The Falcons were on the Broncos' six-yard line after three straight Mathis rushes for 19 yards.

The Falcons appeared to win the game on an acrobatic, diving catch by Tyron Laughinghouse (Jr./Greenville, N.C.) on third down in the back right corner of the end zone. But the play was ruled out of bounds, and the the field goal attempt which would have sent the game into a second overtime was blocked.
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The Falcons led 14-0 in the game's first eight minutes on a 62-yard touchdown from Teddy Bacote (Soph./Hampton, Va.) to Jamian Smith (Sr./Kenansville, N.C.) and a 42-yard fumble return by Dante Devouse (Soph./Phenix, Ala.). The Broncos answered with 21 consecutive points to lead 21-14 in the third quarter.

Defensively, linebackers Chaz Robinson (Soph./Hampton, Va.) and Antonio Stewart (Fr./Ellenwood, Ga.) of the Falcons led both teams with 12 tackles each. Robinson also snatched one of four interceptions by the Broncos. Dante Devouse (Soph./Phenix, Ala.) finished with eight tackles and forced two fumbles, and Berry added seven tackles, one interception and one sack. Isaac Wilson (Sr./Warner Robins, Ga.) led the Falcons with two sacks. Dedrick Early (Sr./Warner Robins, Ga.) also had an interception.

Andre Lyles and Marcos Esquivel both had nine tackles each for the Broncos, who held the Falcons to 194 offensive yards. Lyles also intercepted a pass, and Esquivel had 1.5 sacks.

The Falcons will be looking to bounce back at home next Saturday (Oct. 8) against unbeaten and Southern Division leader Winston-Salem State at 1:30 p.m. Last season, the Falcons stunned the nationally-ranked Rams on the road 40-35.