St. Aug drops season opener in downpour

St. Aug drops season opener in downpour

Yesterday at 10:21 p.m.

Richmond, Va. Punting miscues and turnovers hurt Saint Augustines College in a 12-0 season opening football loss to Virginia Union Saturday (Aug. 27) in a torrential downpour at Hovey Field.

The game was played in nasty weather conditions caused by Hurricane Irene. The steady rain and high winds negated special teams and the passing game for both teams and it ultimately cost the Falcons (0-1, 0-1 CIAA).

The weather forced the Falcons to stay on the ground, but they fumbled six times and gained 67 yards on 39 attempts. They lost the ball three times in the first half, but the contest was scoreless until Trevon Winston of VUU scored on a fumble recovery in the second quarter after the St. Aug punter missed the ball completely on an attempted punt in the end zone.

The Panthers took advantage of a minus 9 yard punt in the third quarter for their final touchdown.



Jerell Washington scored on a five-yard run for the final 12-0 margin.

Washington dashed for 150 yards on 38 carries to help the Panthers win time of possession, 33:07 to 26:30. Justin Williams (Redshirt Fr./Woodstock, Ga.), making his first start, led the Falcons with 49 yards on 13 carries.

Defensively, linebacker Chaz Robinson (So./Hampton, Va.) and free safety Derrick Manning (Jr./Waldorf, Md.) of the Falcons were all over the field making plays as they both tallied a team-high 11 tackles. Jay Bostick sparked VUU with nine tackles.

The Falcons play their home opener next Saturday (Sept. 3) in a non-conference tilt against Catawba College. Game time is 1:30 p.m. at Durham County Stadium in Durham, N.C.