Fayetteville State routs Saint Augustine's 40-18 to keep CIAA title hopes alive

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina -- Fayetteville State receiver Tavon Gatlin sprinted across the goal line and pointed directly at former teammate Kasunn Williams, who had risen from his front-row seat in the end-zone bleachers.

They embraced and engaged in a choreographed salute, making sure to celebrate that Williams' prediction of a three-touchdown performance had come true.

Thanks to a fourth-quarter outburst, the Broncos' big-picture goal is still attainable.

PHOTOS: Fayetteville State vs. Saint Augustine's

Fayetteville State beat winless Saint Augustine's 40-18 on a homecoming Saturday at Jeralds Stadium, outscoring the Falcons 27-0 in the fourth quarter and prolonging its hopes of reaching the CIAA championship game.

The Broncos (4-4 overall, 2-1 Southern Division) close the regular season against Livingstone, which dropped into a second-place tie with Fayetteville State on Saturday, and Winston-Salem State, which improved to 3-0 in the division by defeating the Blue Bears 23-21.

"We needed to win this game for next week to matter," Fayetteville State coach Lawrence Kershaw said. "We've got to win next week for the last game to matter."

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