Boxscore

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Teddy Bacote (Jr./Hampton, Va.) passed for two touchdowns and ran for another and Tyron Laughinghouse (Sr./Greenville, N.C) scored two touchdowns for Saint Augustine's University, but third-ranked Winston-Salem State University scored 28 consecutive points between the second and third quarters to topple the Falcons 56-37 in a key CIAA matchup at Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012.

The loss hurt the Falcons' (4-3 overall, 2-2 CIAA) chances of winning the Southern Division and reaching the CIAA title game. They are two games behind the unbeaten Rams (7-0 overall, 4-0 CIAA), with three games to go in the regular season. The 56 points are the most the Falcons have allowed in a game since 2009. The Rams, who are the defending CIAA champs, are third nationally in the AFCA Division II Coaches Top 25 poll.

The Falcons trailed 21-19 early in the second quarter after Laughinghouse scored his second touchdown on an eight-yard catch from Bacote. The Rams responded with four straight touchdowns, including two by Ricky Rozier, to push their lead to 49-19 early in the third quarter. Roderick Davenport (Fr./Orangeburg, S.C.) scored on a one-yard run for the Falcons for his eighth touchdown of the season, but the Rams scored again to make the score 56-25 late in the third quarter. Bacote of the Falcons scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak and threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Jones (R-Jr./Wilmington, N.C.) in the fourth quarter for the final margin.

Bacote, who started despite suffering an injury against Livingstone last weekend, completed 18 of 33 passes for 174 yards for the Falcons, who finished with 254 offensive yards. He had two interceptions in addition to his two scoring passes and touchdown run. Laughinghouse totaled 179 all-purpose yards including an 82-yard kickoff return in the first quarter. He has three touchdowns on kick returns this season.

The Falcons scored first for the third straight meeting between both teams. Michael Oliver (R-So./Washington, D.C.) scored on a 37-yard fumble recovery after Chaz Robinson (Jr./Hampton, Va.) forced the ball loose on a sack. The Falcons missed the extra point, however. They misfired on four of five point-after-attempts in the contest.

The Rams took the lead 7-6 on a 21-yard fumble return for a score by Dominique Tate. Alejandro Suarez made the extra point for the Rams, who would never trail the rest of the game. Maurice Lewis added a six-yard run for a 14-6 lead before Laughinghouse of the Falcons thrilled the crowd with his kickoff return for a touchdown to cut the margin to 14-12. Jahuann Butler caught a 36-yard pass from Kameron Smith for a 21-12 Rams' lead late in the first quarter, but the Falcons closed within 21-19 on Laughinghouse's touchdown catch in the second quarter. The Falcons would get no closer, however, as the Rams took control.

The Rams accumulated 455 yards of offense. Smith completed 21 of 31 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. Butler grabbed eight passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns, and Lewis scored on two runs. Rozier scored on a run and reception.

There were several bright spots on defense for the Falcons. The defense totaled seven sacks including 2.5 sacks for Joe Reed (Sr./Anderson, S.C.) and two sacks for Javarous Faulk (Jr./Macon, Ga), who entered the game ranked first in the CIAA and second in Division II in sacks. Kenneth Miller (R-Fr./Dothan, Ala.) and John'ta Cooper (So./Cairo, Ga.) each intercepted a pass while Antonio Stewart (So./Ellenwood, Ga.) and Robinson had 11 and nine tackles, respectively. For the Rams, Carlos Fields had nine tackles.

The Falcons return home on campus next weekend after a three-game road swing. They host Fayetteville State at the Saint Augustine's University Stadium on the George Williams Athletic Complex. Game time is 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.