RALEIGH, NC (Sept. 24) – Saint Augustine’s University played its most complete football game of the season and it resulted in a memorable record-breaking night on Saturday, Sept. 23.
The Falcons set several school marks as they manhandled Lincoln (Pa.) University by a lopsided score of 81-9 in the CIAA opener for both teams at Lincoln University Stadium in Lincoln University, Pa. The point total is the second most in NCAA Division II and third in all divisions this season.
The Falcons broke the school record for most points in a game and most points in a half (47), and Darryl “D.J.” Johnson (Jr./Richmond, VA) tied the school single-game record for most touchdown passes (6) in the modern era. His six touchdown passes are tied for the most in an NCAA Division II game this season.
The win erased the sting of three straight defeats, but more importantly, placed the Falcons (1-3 overall) atop the CIAA standings. They are currently tied for first with defending champion Winston-Salem State University in the Southern Division at 1-0.
In the previous two games, the Falcons stayed even with Carson-Newman University and Bowie State University in the first half but both teams pulled away after halftime. On Saturday, the Falcons jumped on the Lions early and never let up.
“This was a great win,” Head Coach Tim Chavous said. “The guys showed they can compete for four quarters.”
Johnson played perhaps his best game as a collegian. He completed 14 of 22 passes for 297 yards and no interceptions. He spread the ball around, throwing to five different receivers on six touchdown passes, and guiding the offense to 602 offensive yards.
Jeremiah Miller (So./Miami, FL) gained a season-high 144 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries while backup quarterback Demetrius Lewis (So./Columbia, SC) tossed one touchdown pass and rushed for 86 yards. Lenwood Joyner (Jr./Miami, FL) caught four passes for 85 yards and a score and Charles Edmond (So./High Point, NC) grabbed two passes for 66 yards and two touchdowns.
On defense, veteran linemen Chasz Cosby (Sr./Charlotte, NC) and Darius Goodman (R-Sr./Richmond, VA) had their way with the Lincoln offensive line. Cosby amassed 3.5 sacks among his seven tackles and Goodman finished with three sacks. Cosby is tied for the third-most sacks in an NCAA Division II contest this season.
Teoz Mauney (Jr./Salisbury, NC) added two sacks and Keywan Morgan (Jr./LaGrange, NC) recorded a safety and a sack for the Falcons, who amassed 10 sacks. Linebacker Tray King (Sr./Kershaw, SC) tallied a team-high eight tackles and linebacker Tristian Green (Jr./Concord, NC) totaled seven tackles and a sack while defensive backs Ahmek Henry (Jr./Charlotte, NC) and Delano Davis (Fr./Greenbelt, MD) each picked off a pass. On special teams, Edmond returned a kickoff 46 yards while Sean Smith (R-Jr./Valdosta, GA) made a field goal and was 10 of 11 on extra point attempts.
The game started well for the Falcons, who built a 10-0 lead on their first two possessions. Sean Smith kicked a 24-yard field goal and Johnson connected with Sam Boyd (Sr./St. Petersburg, FL) for an eight-yard touchdown pass. The offense stalled on its next three possessions, fumbling once, before hitting its stride. The Falcons scored on 10 of their next 12 drives including seven straight between the second and third quarters.
The Falcons scored 35 points in the second quarter beginning with Miller’s seven-yard touchdown run for a 19-0 lead. Johnson then hooked up with Jalen McDaniel (Sr./Fayetteville, NC) for a 29-yard touchdown pass. After the Lions scored on a safety, Johnson found Joyner for a 42-yard scoring pass. The Falcons quarterback then hit Edmond for a 41-yard touchdown for a 40-2 lead.
The Lions would score their only touchdown on an 84-yard run but the Falcons responded with Johnson finding Edmond again, this time for 25 yards as the Falcons entered halftime leading 47-9.
The second half was more of the same as the Falcons scored 27 points in the third quarter. Miller scored his second touchdown on a 10-yard run and Johnson fired a seven-yard scoring pass to Marquez Gilmore (Jr./Atlanta, GA) to tie the school single-game mark for touchdown passes.
Malik Mapps (Sr./Miami, FL) and Shyhiem Swinson (Jr./Virginia Beach, VA) each scored on three-yard runs for a 74-9 lead in the third quarter. Aaron Linen (Sr./Oakland, CA) capped the blowout when he scored on a 22-yard pass from Lewis in the fourth quarter.
Trey McCollum rushed for 41 yards and a touchdown and Vincent Espinoza threw for 132 yards for the Lions (0-1 CIAA, 0-4 overall). Andre Price caught seven passes for 75 yards while Deion Miller and Adonis Washington each had eight tackles.
This win came at the right time for the Falcons, who will take their new-found momentum into a three-game homestand starting with Virginia Union University on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the George Williams Athletic Complex. The starting time is 1 p.m.
— Office of Sports Information
