RALEIGH, N.C. – The Saint Augustine’s University football team will host Virginia Union University at Baker Stadium today — not at the George Williams Athletic Complex on campus, as originally planned. Baker Stadium is located at 2600 Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh.
The game will be at 1 p.m. Admission is free for SAU students with a valid ID and $11 for visiting students. General admission tickets are $16. (Senior citizens 55 and older pay only $5.)
The contest between the CIAA teams will be a non-conference affair. The Panthers are the first of nine straight CIAA opponents for the Falcons.
The Falcons have lost the previous four games against the Panthers, including the “hurricane” game in 2011. On that day, both teams succumbed to nasty weather conditions caused by Hurricane Irene. The heavy rain and high winds stymied the passing game and special teams. The Falcons fumbled six times which ultimately hurt them in a 12-0 defeat.
The forecast on Saturday calls for a chance of thunderstorm, but the weather will be nothing compared to that day four years ago. The Falcons will also host the Panthers for the first time in five meetings between both teams.
The Falcons (0-1 overall) are led by Preseason All-CIAA tailback Roderick Davenport II (Sr./Orangeburg, SC), who needs 545 yards to break the modern school career rushing record. Also watch out for wide receiver Jamal Parker (Sr./Hampton, VA), who caught three passes for 78 yards against North Carolina Central University last Saturday.
Defensively, keep an eye on cornerback Denzel Watkins (Sr./Troutman, NC) and defensive lineman Darius Goodman (R-So./Richmond, VA). Watkins recorded seven tackles and Goodman added six tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss against North Carolina Central.
For Virginia Union (1-0 overall), linebacker Joseph Blanks was named CIAA linebacker of the week after amassing 13 tackles and one interception against Brevard last Saturday. Running back Hakeem Holland rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown on eight carries, and Lamar Webster scored three touchdowns in the contest.
— Staff reports, Office of Sports Information