RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 6) – How sweet it is!
Saint Augustine's University (SAU) won its first football game of the season, but it was a huge win.
The Falcons topped crosstown rival Shaw 21-17 on Saturday to claim the Raleigh Classic trophy at the George Williams Athletic Complex. Victory was assured when Keasean Williams (Fr./Clinton, NC) knocked down a Shaw desperation pass near the end zone with no time remaining, touching off a celebration which lasted well after the Falcons received the trophy during the award presentation.
SAU won the trophy for the second time since the long-time rivalry was named the Raleigh Classic in 2016. The Falcons also snapped a two-game losing streak to their archrivals.
This is also SAU's first victory under first-year Head Coach David Bowser. Beating Shaw makes the win that much sweeter.
"For the players and fans, this is what it's all about, beating your rival," Bowser said. "There is nothing like it."
The Falcons (1-6 CIAA, 1-7 overall) had their ups-and-downs this season while the Bears (5-2 CIAA, 6-4 overall) marched in the George Williams Athletic Complex on a three-game winning streak.
But this game had a different vibe than the Falcons' previous contests in 2021. Playing at an intensity level never seen before this season, the Falcons took the fight to the Bears.
Shaw took an early 7-0 lead, but the Falcons responded in the second quarter. SAU quarterback Christopher Perkins (Fr./Spring Lake, NC) found Anthony Archie (R-Fr./Cary, NC) for a 21-yard touchdown pass, and Chase Kiefer (Fr./Jacksonville, NC) kicked the extra point to tie the game.
The Bears booted a late field goal for a 10-7 halftime lead, but the Falcons weren't through.
Defense and special teams produced the two biggest plays in the game to turn the tide in the Falcons' favor.
Both plays occurred in the third quarter. Jerron Hinton (Fr./Elizabeth City, NC) blocked a Bears' punt and Tiaseer Rambert (R-So./Jacksonville, NC) scooped up the loose ball and scored, putting the Falcons ahead. Kiefer's extra point made the score 14-10.
Later in the quarter, Rambert jarred the ball loose from Shaw quarterback Torrin Campbell. Defensive tackle Marcus Davis (Jr./Raleigh, NC) picked up the fumble and ran for an 18-yard touchdown. Davis, running with determination, broke through several would-be tacklers for the score.
Keifer made the extra point for a 21-10 Falcons' lead.
Shaw scored in the fourth quarter on a 31-yard run by CIAA rushing leader Sidney Gibbs to pull within four, but the Falcons' offense burned time off the clock and the defense continued to play smashmouth football down the stretch. It led to the Falcons' first victory and the ensuing celebration.
The elusive Perkins was sensational against the Bears. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown in addition to rushing for 64 yards.
His favorite target was Archie, who caught a season-high nine passes for 60 yards, including a spectacular one-handed catch for a 21-yard score in the second quarter.
The defense was led by linebacker Joseph Harris (Sr./Jacksonville, FL) and defensive end Demetrius Johnson (Sr./Baltimore, MD). Harris recorded nine tackles and anchored a defense that stymied the Bears most of the afternoon.
Johnson, who played off the line of scrimmage at times during the game, also collected nine tackles. His interception in the first half gave SAU the momentum it needed for the entire game.
The SAU defense forced the Bears into 6 of 20 passing for 91 yards and one interception. Shaw was one of the CIAA's top offensive teams entering the contest.
The victory was especially sweet for Harris, Johnson, wide receiver Aakiel Greer (Kosciusko, MS), quarterback D'Ontre Gilliard (Holly Hill, SC), and defensive end Dimitrius Fitzgerald (Nashville, TN). They were honored before the game on Senior Day.
"I lost to Shaw twice by three points," Harris said. "I couldn't forget that, so I knew I was bringing energy, and we weren't going to lose this game. If we were going to win one, it was going to be this one and we did it. We won the trophy and the Raleigh Classic. It feels good."
The win was also satisfying for Coach Bowser and the SAU football program, which includes 57 freshmen on the roster.
"It is special," said Bowser, sitting next to the trophy. "Even though [Shaw] was up early, today was the first time that I could really smell that we would taste victory. This is a great way to enter the offseason."
