St. Augustine's becomes first CIAA football team to top Southeast Region Rankings
Four HBCUs listed in initial poll

October 3, 2005

Hampton, VA - St. Augustine’s College, fresh off its dominating victory over North Carolina Central, has been ranked number one in the NCAA's Southeast Region. This is the first time since the NCAA began Regional Football Rankings in 1995 that a team from the CIAA has held the top ranking.

The NCAA utilizes regional poll rankings to determine its playoff representatives. Six teams are selected from each of four regions (Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest. The top two teams from each region receive a first round bye and home field throughout the playoffs. The first round of the playoffs begin on November 12.

Saint Augustine’s coach Michael Costa says the top ranking is a result of a total school commitment. The school revived the football program in 2002 and the Falcons were 4-6 in 2004.

“It is a great tribute to our young men’s hard work and the coaching staff’s dedication,” Costa said ”You have to give credit to the president [Dr. Dianne Boardley Suber] who made sure football was brought back to Saint Augustine’s, to the athletic director [George Williams] who set high standards with the track program and to the kids.”

The accolade was one of several for the Falcons, who took three CIAA weekly honors. Quarterback Darrell Nesbitt was named offensive back of the week, defensive tackle Marcus Montgomery was selected defensive lineman of the week and Costa was named coach of the week.

On Saturday, St. Augustine’s defeated North Carolina Central, 22-8. The Falcon defense continued its dominating performance holding the league’s top-ranked offense to a late fourth quarter touchdown. St. Augustine’s has only given up a only 34 points all season.

NCAA Division II Southeast Region Rankings

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