Saint Augustine’s University’s football team made the crowd go bananas when they defeated Lincoln University on Oct. 9 in two overtimes. But then the team lost to Winston-Salem State University in a lopsided victory on Oct. 15.
The games show the team’s mixed season so far. Going into the Oct. 22 Homecoming game against Fayetteville State University, the Falcons have a record of 2-5. But two of the losses were road games against Division I teams. Within the Collegiate Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the Falcons have an even 2-2 record.
No matter what happens with the rest of the year, the Falcons already have shown an improvement over 2015, when they won only one game. The Falcons have put up impressive numbers in several games.
In the Livingstone game, the Falcons gained 368 total offensive yards. Sam Boyd, a 6’4’ wide receiver from Houston, TX, led the Falcons with three catches for 97 yards. Dre Williams, a 5’9’ wide receiver from Miami, FL, grabbed five passes for 52 yards.
Defensively, defensive lineman Chasz Cosby tallied nine tackles and Justin Shaw, playing defense for the first time this season, added eight tackles – two for a loss, one sack and one interception at linebacker to go along with his touchdown at fullback on offense. He was the first SAU player in recent memory to record a sack, interception and touchdown in the same game.
“I wish MVP awards were given to players like Justin,” Chavous said. “He plays on all the special team units and starts on offense. We moved him to defense this week and he responded with a great game. He is a natural ballplayer.”
In the Winston-Salem State University game, the Falcons gained 351 offensive yards, with Rovonta Johnson (R-So./Lakeland, FL) leading the Falcons with 90 yards on 19 carries and Boyd caught six passes for 57 yards and a score. Quarterback D.J. Johnson, a sophomore from Richmond, VA, passed for 142 yards and rushed for 69 yards.
But the Falcons hurt themselves with three turnovers and 13 penalties for 84 yards.
“I’m so proud of my boys and hope they keep the same energy and confidence they had against Lincoln for the rest of the season,” said Alexis Miller, a junior Business major.
Brittany Peay, a senior majoring in journalism and Mass Communications, said: “Although there’s more improving to be done, I’m still proud of the team’s effort to succeed in the rest of the season.”
October 1, 2016 Saint Augustine’s University football team will travel to Richmond VA, to play Virginia Union to hopefully show out with another win. Erica Hill a staff member at Saint Augustine University says “I’m from Richmond and that’s a pretty good team, Saint Aug will just to step in up a little more communicate among each other and have confidence.” She also went on saying that she has a lot of faith in her falcons and wishes them the best as they defeat Virginia Union this upcoming Saturday.
— Jarrod Sibert
