Saint Augustine's 15, Fayetteville State 3

October 28, 2006

FAYETTEVILLE, NC – Saint Augustine’s College had struggled against Fayetteville State in their last four meetings but that all changed on Saturday, October 28, 2006, on the Broncos’ Homecoming Day.

The Falcons used their defense and special teams to beat the Broncos 15-3 for the first time since restarting football in 2002 under Head Coach Michael Costa. The Falcons (4-5 overall) won their third straight game and finished the CIAA portion of their schedule at 4-3.

After a 1-5 start, the Falcons have salvaged their season with one game remaining. If they beat Winston-Salem State on Saturday, November 4, 2006, the Falcons will have a non-losing overall record for the second consecutive year. In 2005, the Falcons won eight straight games before finishing 8-2.

“Our record doesn’t indicate how good we are,” said Costa, whose squad played five regionally ranked teams this season. “We can play with anybody.”

Though Fayetteville State (2-7, 1-5 CIAA) is down this season, the victory was significant for the Falcons, who felt like they cleared a major hurdle against a team they couldn’t beat. The Falcons were outscored 187-91 in their last four meetings against the Broncos, including a 45-28 loss that snapped the Falcons’ win streak in 2005. The Falcons’ last victory in the series was 28-12 in 1965.

This time, the defense didn’t allow a touchdown and special teams scored 15 unanswered points in the second half to wipe out a 3-0 Broncos’ halftime deficit.

St. Aug scored a safety in the third quarter when the ball rolled out of the end zone for a safety after a Julius Bartley blocked punt.

Richard Boone (Petersburg, VA) then took the ensuing kick and ran 64 yards down the left sideline untouched to put the Falcons’ ahead 8-3.

Curtonio Marshall (Belle Glade, FL) secured the win in the fourth quarter when he recovered a muffed punt in the end zone for a touchdown with 7:35 remaining. Addison Daniels (Raleigh, NC) added the extra point.

The Falcons’ defense, ranked No. 2 in the CIAA in total defense, was dominant once again as it forced three turnovers and held the Broncos to 172 yards of total offense including 46 rushing yards. Middle linebacker Kevin Jones (South Hill, VA) led the Falcons with 16 tackles and defensive Alex Hall (Glenarden, MD) added 10 tackles including two sacks.

The Falcons end the regular season on Saturday, November 4, 2006 against Winston-Salem State, another opponent they haven’t beaten since bringing football back. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m. at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC