Boxscore

RALEIGH, N.C. – Saint Augustine's University's first football game under a new name got off to a rousing start on Saturday, Sept 1, 2012, at Durham County Stadium.

Led by three touchdown passes from Teddy Bacote (Jr./Hampton, Va.), the Falcons thumped Wingate University 28-10 in the season opener for both teams. The victory was the most impressive in an opening game under Head Coach Michael Costa, the Falcons' head coach since 2002.

“This is a good way to begin the new era as a university,” Costa said.

All three phases – offense, defense and special teams – were clicking against the Bulldogs, picked third in the highly regarded South Atlantic Conference. The Bulldogs never lost to a CIAA team before Saturday, but were no match for the high-flying Falcons.

The offense, behind the passing of Bacote, gained 323 total yards. Bacote threw touchdown passes to three different receivers and finished with 187 yards on 15-for-26 passing including one interception. The defense allowed 318 yards but held firm in the red zone, limiting the Bulldogs to one touchdown in the fourth quarter with the outcome already decided. Chaz Robinson (Jr./Hampton, Va.) led the defense with a game-high 14 tackles. On special teams, Alexander Tucker (Jr./Union, S.C.) booted five out of six kickoffs for touchbacks.

Robbie Nallenweg of Wingate completed 33 of 48 passes for 275 yards but most of his throws were short passes. When he tried to go deep, Nallenweg was intercepted three times. The trio of Carlton Butts (Soph./Thomasville, Ga.),  Kenneth Miller (R-Fr./Dothan, Ala.) and Elijah Evans (R-Fr./College Park, Ga.) each picked off Nallenweg. Preseason All-American Chris Bowden of Wingate caught 10 passes for 74 yards but was held in check by the Falcons' secondary.  His longest reception was 20 yards and he did not score a touchdown.

The defense kept the Falcons in the game early until the offense got in gear. The Bulldogs reached St. Aug territory in their first three drives but only came away with a field goal. The Falcons gained their first lead in the second quarter on a 16-yard pass from Bacote to Tyron Laughinghouse (Sr./Greenville, N.C.), named one of three CIAA players to watch in the preseason. The Falcons led 6-3 after missing the extra point.

“Our defense set the tone until the offense found its rhythm,” Costa said.

The Falcons scored again right before halftime on Bacote's perfect 52-yard rocket to Christopher Dalton (Jr./Statesville, N.C.), who streaked pass the cornerback down the right side of the field. Bacote hit Dalton in stride for his second touchdown pass. It was Dalton's first touchdown catch of his college career. Michael Lima (Soph./Miami, Fla.) kicked the extra point for a 13-3 halftime lead.

The offensive onslaught continued in the second half. Bacote found Rowdy Batchelor (R-Sr./Jacksonville, N.C.) for a 10-yard touchdown pass. Roderick Davenport (Fr./Orangeburg, S.C.) padded the lead with a 78-yard scoring jaunt on the first carry of his college career. Lima's extra point pushed the Falcons' lead to 28-3. The Bulldogs finished the scoring with a 22-yard pass from Nallenweg to Bryan Caffrey.

The victory was important for the Falcons even though it was the first game because their schedule is one of the most daunting in recent years. Their next game is against nationally-ranked University of New Haven, last year's regional finalist, at Durham County Stadium starting Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. Last season, New Haven won 50-14.

This year, the Falcons appear to be a different team. They are loaded with talent and are balanced on both sides of the ball. Most importantly, the Falcons are playing under university status which gives them confidence.