SAU Football Fights Valiantly Against Tusculum In Season Opener Loss

RALEIGH, NC – Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) started slow but finished fast. Though the Falcons fell 58-14 to Tusculum in their football season opener Saturday, the second half provided a glimpse into the near future of the youthful squad.

The Falcons hit the field for the first time since 2019 with a new coaching staff and many newcomers. The non-conference contest was the first step towards becoming a competitive and cohesive unit that aspires to be conference champs and playoff contenders.

They hosted a seasoned opponent at the George Williams Athletic Complex, one that returned many players from its South Atlantic Conference title run in the spring.

Though Tusculum led 24-0 by halftime, the Falcons continued to battle in the second half. D’Ontre Gilliard (So./Holly Hill, SC), an All-CIAA Rookie quarterback two years ago, came off the bench and directed two scoring drives.

Gilliard’s 21-yard run in Tusculum territory set up his two-yard score in the third quarter. The key play in the drive was Cameron Moore’s (Fr./Mount Airy, NC) 20-yard jaunt up the middle near the goal line on the previous play.

In the fourth quarter, Gilliard found Deandre Parker (Fr./Elizabeth City, NC) for a 31-yard pickup inside the Tusculum 5-yard line. In the next play, Charles Crump (Fr./Monroe, NC) crossed the goal line from the 4 for the score. Chase Kiefer (Fr./Jacksonville, NC) booted both extra points.

Both scores gave the energetic pro-Falcons crowd of over 1,000 fans more life at the 2,500-capacity stadium. Tusculum scored again late for the final score, but the fans sensed after the game that good times are coming for SAU.

Crump finished with 51 yards on nine carries for a 5.7 average per carry and Proctor snagged two catches for 45 yards. Another stalwart for the Falcons was cornerback Cornelius Booker (Fr./Kannapolis, NC), who led the defense with seven tackles and three breakups. Nasir Brown (R-Fr./Philadelphia, PA) recovered a fumble and Joseph Harris (Jr./Jacksonville, FL) intercepted a pass.

Despite the score, the goal hasn’t changed for first-year Head Coach David Bowser and the SAU football program. They plan to improve each game and become CIAA championship contenders.

The Falcons are on the road next Saturday (Sept. 11) against Limestone in another non-conference contest against a South Atlantic Conference opponent. Game time is 7 p.m. in Gaffney, S.C.

Feature photo credit: Lawrence Davis III