FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 21) – Saint Augustine's University mounted a furious second-half rally to erase a 21-point deficit, but Fayetteville State University kicked a late field goal to win 34-31 in a pivotal CIAA Southern Division football game at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 21.

The Falcons and Broncos entered Saturday's game tied for first in the Southern Division. The loss dropped the Falcons to 2-1 while Fayetteville State is 3-0 with two regular-season games remaining. The Falcons are tied with Winston-Salem State University for second place.

The Broncos led 28-7 in the third quarter and 31-14 in the fourth quarter, but the Falcons scored 17 unanswered points to tie the game on the Broncos' Homecoming Day. Josh Glisson (Jr./Charlotte, NC) scored on a one-yard run and Sean Smith (R-Jr./Valdosta, GA) kicked the extra point for a 31-31 tie with 3:27 left. James Hickman (Jr./Antioch, CA) set up the game-tying score with a 25-yard interception return to the Broncos' 10-yard line.

On the ensuing possession, the Broncos faced third down-and-26 on their own four-yard line after Hickman and Tristian Green (Jr./Concord, NC) combined on a sack and Darius Goodman (Sr./Richmond, VA) had a solo sack. The Broncos got the first down on a 26-yard run which extended what turned out to the game-winning drive.

The Broncos drove to the Falcons' six-yard line where David Lamb kicked a 23-yard field goal with six seconds left for the victory. His kick overshadowed a great comeback by the Falcons, who outscored the Broncos 17-6 in the fourth quarter.

The Falcons (3-5 overall) scored first in the contest on the opening drive when Jeremiah Miller (So./Miami, FL) scampered 26 yards around the right corner for a touchdown. Smith added the extra point for a 7-0 lead. The Broncos reeled off 21 consecutive points to enter halftime ahead 21-7.

The Broncos (4-4 overall) opened the second half with a 65-yard touchdown run on the first play of the third quarter. The Falcons pulled within 28-14 on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Darryl "D.J." Johnson (Jr./Richmond, VA) to Sam Boyd (Sr./St. Petersburg, FL) and an extra point by Smith.

The Broncos kicked a short field goal for a 31-14 lead early in the fourth quarter. The Falcons closed within 31-21 on Miller's nine-yard run and Smith's extra point.

The Falcons regained possession at the Broncos' 46-yard line after a huge stop by Hickman on fourth-and-one. Eight plays later, Smith kicked a 29-yard field goal to bring the Falcons within 31-24, setting the stage for the frantic ending.

The Falcons had success on the ground as they rushed for 242 yards. Miller gained 116 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries and Glisson ran 16 times for 94 yards and a score. Johnson rushed for 32 yards in addition to completing 17 of 28 passes for 150 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Defensively, Hickman, the CIAA leading tackler, was all over the field. He tallied 12 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception. Defensive back Roy Garris (So./Raleigh, NC) had 11 tackles and defensive lineman Chasz Cosby (Sr./Charlotte, NC) collected 10 tackles, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble. Defensive lineman Tristian Green (Jr./Concord, NC) totaled nine tackles, 0.5 sacks and one tackle for loss.

Stevie Green gained 176 yards and two scores for the Broncos. He scored on a long touchdown run early in the third quarter but was bottled up by the Falcons' defense until his 26-yard run late in the fourth quarter on third-and-long. Richard Latimer was 14 of 23 for 208 yards and an interception and Seth Johnson had 12 tackles.

The Falcons host Johnson C. Smith University on Homecoming/Senior Day on Saturday, Oct. 28 at the George Williams Athletic Complex. Game time is 1 p.m.