St. Augustine’s Falcons Bring Pioneer Bowl Back Home

St. Augustine’s Falcons Bring Pioneer Bowl Back Home

December 4, 2010
 
Columbus, GA…The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s (CIAA) St. Augustine’s Falcons captured the 2010 Pioneer Bowl title by dominating the Fort Valley State Wildcats in a 20-9 victory at AJ McClung Stadium.
 
The Falcons entered the game with an 8-2 record; having finished the regular season in second place in the CIAA Southern Division.  
 
Today’s matchup featured Senior TE Jone’ Harris, whose offensive leadership accounted for three receptions for 54yds and logged two TDs for the Falcons.  Defensively, Steven Stanback (SR/LB) stepped up for the Falcons, totaling 13 tackles (five solo, eight assisted), 3.0- 17yds tackles-for-loss and two sacks for 12 yards.
 
With 1:10 left in the first quarter, Fort Valley State’s Courtney Daniel returned an SAC fumble for a 67-yard touchdown to claim the first score of the evening.  The second quarter would remain scoreless until a :21 sec, 14-yd pass from Teddy Bacote (FR/QB) to Jone’ Harris put the Falcons on the board, 6-7.  The PAT, however, was blocked and returned by FVSU for a two-point add, 6-9.
 
St. Augustine’s answered early in the second half, with a 73-yd jet sent from Joaquin Green (SO/QB) to Jermaine Jones (FR/WR), for a 12-9 lead for SAC. Fort Valley State was unable to answer before the Falcons added another six with a Bacote to Harris 31-yd connect with 9:26 left in the 4th.  The Falcons converted on this score for a final mark of 20-9, and a claim of the Pioneer Bowl.
 
Jone’ Harris was named both the Offensive Player of the Game and the Pioneer Bowl MVP.  Ricky Johnson of the Wildcats was named Defensive Player of the Game.
 
This win marks the first CIAA claim of the Pioneer Bowl since 2004, when Shaw University edged Tuskegee University, 30-28.  This is St. Augustine's first bowl game win and first meeting with FVSU.