Box Score WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Saint Augustine's University fought valiantly against nationally-ranked Winston-Salem State University in a 36-13 CIAA football loss at Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday, October 18, 2014.
The Falcons battled toe-to-toe with the Rams, ranked 16th in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II poll, for much of the contest. Cyril Davis (Redshirt So./Orangeburg, SC) tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Turkvant (Redshirt Jr./Orangeburg, SC) and Michael Lima (Redshirt Sr./Miami, FL) booted the extra point to pull the Falcons within 20-13 with 5:43 left in the third quarter.
The Rams (4-0 CIAA, 6-1 overall) then scored 16 consecutive points to gain the win. They outscored the Falcons 10-0 in the fourth quarter.
"[The Rams] are a tough football team," Saint Augustine's University Interim Head Coach Michael Morand said. "I can see why they are 6-1. They are sound on offense, defense and special teams. We know now what we really need to work on. We played two good opponents in [defending Northern Division champion] Virginia State and Winston-Salem State. Now, we have to reach their level if we expect to be a good football team."
Despite the loss, the Falcons (2-2 CIAA, 2-5 overall) can hold their heads high. They held their own for three and one-half quarters against the two-time defending CIAA and three-time defending Southern Division champions.
"We are getting better," Morand said. "We have to continue to get better."
Davis completed 22 of 36 passes for 237 yards and one touchdown for the Falcons. His interception in the third quarter which led to a Rams' touchdown was his first in four games. Most of his passes went to Claytin Lewis (Fr./Raleigh, NC), who caught eight passes for 85 yards. CIAA rushing leader Roderick Davenport (Redshirt Jr./Orangeburg, SC) gained 76 yards on the ground.
Defensively, the Falcons picked off three passes. The trio of Denzel Watkins (Jr./Troutman, NC), Teoz Mauney (Fr./Salisbury, NC) and John'ta Cooper (Sr./Cairo, GA) each recorded an interception. Cooper now has nine interceptions in his career which ties the University record. He has four interceptions this season which puts him one away from tying the University single-season mark.
Defensive lineman Chaz Cosby (Fr./Charlotte, NC) and linebacker Carlton Butts (Sr./Thomasville, GA) led the Falcons with seven tackles apiece. Butts also blocked an extra point attempt. Anthony Tucker (Redshirt Fr./Garner, N.C.) added six tackles for the Falcons' defense, which held the explosive Rams' offense in check most of the contest.
The Rams could not shake off the Falcons until late in front of a Homecoming crowd of 16,555 and a national cable television audience. After falling behind 13-0 in first quarter, the Falcons closed within seven points on two Lima field goals from 33 and 45 yards. His 45-yarder was one yard short of tying the University record he shares with former standout kicker Alex Tucker. The Falcons went into halftime down 20-6 on a late Rams' touchdown in the second quarter.
The score could have been much closer in the first half. The Falcons were in the Rams' red zone three times but came away with no touchdowns. A penalty wiped out a touchdown by Davis on a quarterback sneak from the one-yard line in the second quarter. The Falcons, who gained 334 total offensive yards, settled for a field goal on the drive.
The Falcons have three games remaining in the season starting with a Homecoming matchup against Fayetteville State University at the George Williams Athletic Complex on campus in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, October 25. Kickoff is 2 p.m.
