October 11, 2014

Salisbury, NC- The Blue Bears faced Saint Augustine's University, Saturday (Oct.11) at Alumni Memorial Stadium where the Blue Bears took a nail-biting loss to a score of 31-30.
 
Kicker Leonardo Manzo, nailed a 35-yard field goal, that set the start of the game (3-0).
 
The Falcon's were soon to answer back with a touchdown from Tyson McDonald, but that wouldn't hold the Blue Bears as quarterback Drew Powell threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Bennett, heading the score (10-7).
 
Drew Powell contributed a 2-yard run into the end zone, with a PAT from Leonardo Manzo, putting the Blue Bears on top once again, with a score of (14-17).
 
The Falcons were a tough defender in the second quarter, tying the score (17-17) after a 25-yard field goal.
 
Kemuel Brown was quick to answer back with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Drew Powell to send the Blue Bears on top with a 24-17 advantage into halftime.
 
With gloomy skies, and almost an hour delay due to spotted lighting, the Blue Bears struggled to maintain, as they contributed no points on the board for the third quarter.
 
The Falcons, tied the game once again in the third quarter with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Claytin Lewis.
 
The final quarter of the game was the turning point, as Anthony Green contributed a 20-yard run into the end zone for the Blue Bears, sealing 6 more points on the board, but they were soon to find out that the blocked kick attempt by Leonardo Manzo with 12:31 left in the fourth quarter would cost the Blue Bears the game. The score was brought to (30-24), with the Blue Bears on top; or so they thought.
 
With only 6:25 left on the clock the Falcons charged into the end zone off a 7-yard run from Justin Shaw and extra point from kicker Michael Lima, to extend the score one point above the Blue Bears (31-30).
 
The Blue Bears had a chance to come back, but with only 2:23 left on the clock Drew Powell threw a pass intended for Jalen Hendricks and it was surprisingly intercepted by John'ta Cooper who returned it for 10- yards.
 
That play sent the Falcons (2-4), and (2-1) in conference into victory and sealed the win of 31-30 over the Blue Bears (4-2) and (1-2) in the conference.
 
"We made a lot of mistakes and let the game get away from us, however, although we were defeated, the players played hard tonight", said Head Coach Daryl Williams.
 
Drew Powell threw for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air and one on the ground. He also led with 188 rushing yards on 20 carries.
Jalen Hendricks led the game in reception yards with 100.
 
The Blue Bears played a great offensive game leading 454 over that of 367 from the Falcons.  
 
The Blue Bears return home next Saturday to play conference game Shaw University at 1:30 PM at Alumni Memorial Stadium.


Written By: Tenai Staley