Game Notes
SALISBURY, NC – Livingstone hosts its final contest of the season on Saturday when the the Falcons of St. Augustine's College come to Alumni Memorial Stadium for a CIAA tilt.
OFFENSE
The Blue Bears had their largest offensive output of the season on Saturday at Fayetteville State, amassing 146 yards of total offense. Levon Stanley completed eight passes for 93 yards and one touchdown against the Broncos, but also threw two interceptions. Stanley has thrown for an average of 51.3 yards per game this season and has recorded two passing touchdowns.
Stanley's primary target in the passing game has been Omar McFadden this season, but McFadden will miss the final two games of the 2010 season after suffering a leg injury late in Saturday's game against Fayetteville. Freshman Anthony Holland has averaged just shy of 28 yards receiving per contest and will be looked to pick up the slack. Senior Kevin Shelf will also be looked to step up as he has caught only eight passes so far this season.
Terrill Gourdine has been the most successful rusher for the Blue Bears through nine games. Last week Gourdine rushed for 37 yards and has averaged 14.7 yards per game this season. Jamel Moore, Levon Stanley and Miles Harris have also been the other primary rushers for the Blue Bears through nine games this year.
DEFENSE
On the defensive side of the ball for Livingstone, freshman Jammal Acree had a career-high in tackles on Saturday with eight while sophomore Dorian Edwards recorded seven. Junior Devonta Harmon has come on strong in recent weeks and currently leads the Blue Bears in tackles with 50. Harmon has also intercepted two passes and recovered two fumbles. Edwards is also third on the team in tackles with 42.
Junior Bryan Aycoth continues to be near the top of the CIAA in tackles for loss. Coming into the 10th game, Aycoth has recorded 10 tackles for loss which ranks him first on the team and sixth in the CIAA. Aycoth has 47 total tackles this season which is second on the team. Aycoth also has one sack, one interception and one fumble recovery.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Franklin Evans continues to turn out positive yards in the return game for Livingstone. Saturday at Fayetteville, Evans returned five kicks for 64 yards and has averaged 17.9 yards per return. With McFadden out for the rest of the season Evans and Dewyane Smith will be needed to step up for the Blue Bears. Smith has returned 21 kicks this for an average of 17.6 yards per return.
FAYETTEVILLE STATE
St. Augustine's comes into Saturday's contest with a 7-1 overall record and a 5-0 conference mark. If St. Augustine's defeats Livingstone this week and Shaw next week then they will earn the Southern Division spot in the CIAA Championship. The Falcons are currently ranked 23rd nationally in the AFCA Division II Coaches Football Poll.
The Falcons have averaged 31.5 points per game this season and have allowed only 24.4 points per contest. St. Augustine's offense is primarily running the ball as they have averaged 172.9 yards per game on the ground and only 164.2 yards per game passing. Walter Sanders is the leading rusher in the CIAA as he has averaged 147.1 rushing yards per game this season.
Defensively, Steven Stanback is second in the conference in tackles with 74 while Mark Hall has also recorded 54 tackles this season. Stanback also has four interceptions and one fumble recovery.
THE SERIES
The Blue Bears have struggled overall against the Falcons. All-time, the Blue Bears are 2-12-3. Livingstone last defeated St. Augustine's in 2002 by the score of 12-7.
THE LAST MEETING
Last season Livingstone traveled to Raleigh to take on the Falcons and fell 31-7. St. Augustine's pounded the ball on the ground last year, racking up 214 yards rushing including two rushing touchdowns. The Falcons scored touchdowns on a punt return and fumble recovery in addition to a 20-yard field goal.
GAME UPDATES
Fans can follow live statistics at www.sidearmstats.com/livingstone/football and live updates at www.twitter.com/lcbluebears.
WEATHER FORECAST
The Blue Bears and Falcons will meet under clear and sunny skies on Saturday with high temperatures reaching into the upper 60s.
GAME RECAPS
A full game recap with statistics will be available online at www.bluebearathletics.com following the contest.
