Turnovers Hurt SAU In Football Loss To Winston-Salem State

Box Score

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Oct. 20) – Quarterback John Darby IV (Fr./Detroit, MI) ran for 98 yards on 14 carries, but turnovers stymied Saint Augustine's University (SAU) in a 36-6 CIAA football loss to Winston-Salem State University at Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday.

The loss snapped a two-game SAU win streak and dropped the Falcons to 2-2 in the Southern Division and 2-4 overall. The Rams improved to 2-2 in the Southern Division and 3-3 overall.

The Falcons, led by Darby, outrushed the Rams 168-108 but committed four turnovers. The Rams scored 16 points in the first half off three SAU miscues for a 23-6 lead at halftime.

A fumble on the Falcons' first series led to a Rams' field goal but the game's biggest turnover occurred on SAU's second possession. The Falcons had a chance to take the lead after driving to the Rams' one-yard line, but a third-down rollout pass was intercepted in the end zone. That led to a four-play, 80-yard scoring drive by the Rams for a 10-0 lead.

The score was 17-0 before the Falcons came alive. Jeremiah Miller (Jr./Miami, FL) put the Falcons on the scoreboard with a three-yard run in the second quarter to cap an eight-play, 55-yard drive. On the next series, CIAA Linebacker of the Week Joseph Harris, Jr. (Fr./Jacksonville, FL) intercepted a pass in WSSU territory.

But two plays later, the Rams recorded their second interception in their own end zone. The Rams then drove 92 yards in 10 plays capped by a touchdown for a 17-point lead at the break. Two touchdowns in the third quarter put the game away for the Rams.

The Falcons moved inside the Rams' 30 in the fourth quarter but an interception ended the drive.

Behind the running of Darby and Miller, who gained 70 yards, the Falcons moved inside Rams territory on seven of 10 possessions for the game. Turnovers - including three interceptions - and lack of third-down conversions (3 of 15) killed potential scoring drives. The Rams were 4 of 9 on third-down conversions.

On defense, the Falcons held star running back Kerrion Moore to 45 yards but the Rams gained 311 of their 419 offensive yards through the air. Moore scored on three short runs and Dominique Graves completed 15 of 19 passes for one touchdown and one interception. Quincy Jackson caught five passes for 175 yards.

Defensive lineman Brandon Jackson (Fr./Washington, DC) and defensive back Sidney Lawson (Sr./Charlotte, NC) each had six tackles for the Falcons. Linebacker Patrick Green tallied 10 tackles for the Rams.

After three straight road games, the Falcons return to the George Williams Athletic Complex for a Homecoming contest against Southern Division leader Fayetteville State University on Saturday, Oct. 20. Kickoff is 1 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Jeremiah Miller: RB; 5' 9"; Junior

#4 Sidney Lawson: DB; 6' 0"; Senior

#50 Brandon Jackson: DL; 6' 1"; Freshman

#17 John Darby IV: QB; 6' 2"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#3 Jeremiah Miller
: 5' 9"; Junior
: RB

#4 Sidney Lawson
: 6' 0"; Senior
: DB

#50 Brandon Jackson
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: DL

#17 John Darby IV
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: QB

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned

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