HICKORY, N.C. (Sept. 2) – Saint Augustine's University (SAU) opened the 2023 football season with a 45-7 loss to nationally-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne University at Moretz Stadium on Saturday.

Quarterback Christopher Perkins (Jr./Spring Lake, NC) and wide receiver Deandre Proctor (Jr./Elizabeth City, NC) provided the biggest highlight for the Falcons in the second quarter. Proctor made a spectacular catch from Perkins' pass for a 37-yard score just before Halftime. Damian Gonzalez (Fr./Birmingham, AL) kicked the extra point.

The touchdown pulled SAU within 21-7. Still, the Bears, ranked twenty-third in the d2football.com poll and twenty-fifth in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 Poll, pulled away despite a valiant defensive effort by the Falcons led by Jamieson Alston (So./Fayetteville, NC)'s nine tackles and one interception), Lee Sales (R-Jr./Winston-Salem, NC)'s nine tackles, Ty'quereon Hines (So./Greenville, NC)'s eight tackles and one interception, and Adam Aiken (So./Raleigh, NC)'s six tackles and one sack.

SAU visits Elizabeth City State University at the Down East Viking Football Classic to kick off conference play on Saturday, Sept. 9. Game time is 1 p.m. in Rocky Mount, N.C.