RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 2) – Saint Augustine’s University got off to a promising start, but fell to Johnson C. Smith University 26-17 in a CIAA football matchup on Homecoming Day at the George Williams Athletic Complex on Saturday.
The Falcons flew out to a 14-0 lead, courtesy of a 55-yard interception return by Shymere Scott (So./Kannapolis, NC) in the first quarter and a 16-yard run by Maurice Nelson (Fr./Raleigh, NC) in the second quarter. On the ensuing series, the Golden Bulls scored on a 70-yard pass that changed the game’s momentum. The touchdown was the first of 17 consecutive points in the second quarter for the Golden Bulls, who led 17-14 at halftime.
The Golden Bulls added a safety on a blocked punt for a 19-14 lead in the third quarter, but Andre Labat (Fr./Miami, FL) kicked a 27-yard field goal to get the Falcons within 19-17 early in the fourth quarter.
The contest slipped away from the Falcons late in the fourth quarter. The Golden Bulls scored off their second blocked punt of the day for a 26-17 lead with 3:32 left. The Falcons threw an interception in the end zone on their final drive.
For the Falcons, Jeremiah Miller (Sr./Miami, FL) gained 72 yards on 15 carries and Nelson added 41 yards and a score on seven rushes. Linebacker Durrell Nash (Sr./Chicago, IL) finished with a game-high and season-high 16 tackles, including four for losses.
Camerron Ellis blocked two punts for the Golden Bulls (2-4 Southern Division, 3-6 overall). Tyki Lawson-Oates had a team-high 10 tackles.
Before the contest, a Senior Day ceremony was held for the following football student-athletes: manager Jerrica Jefferson (Memphis, TN), Teoz Mauney (Salisbury, NC), Dontarian Evans (Gainesville, FL), Jalahne Stroud (Kenansville, NC), Roy Garris, Jr. (Raleigh, NC), Calvin Montgomery (Baltimore, MD), Joe Edwards (Kinston, NC), LaMarque Hill (Fayetteville, NC), Charles Edmond (Fort Pierce, FL), Juwan Ingram (Winston-Salem, NC), Miller and Nash.
The Falcons (2-4 Southern Division, 2-7 overall) conclude the regular season next Saturday (Nov. 9) against Shaw University for the Raleigh Classic Trophy. Kickoff is 1 p.m. at the George Williams Athletic Complex.
— Office of Sports Information
