Carlos Saldana hit a 30-yard field goal with three seconds remaining that gave Clark Atlanta a 13-10, season-opening victory over Livingstone College in Salisbury, N.C., Saturday.

The win marked a number of mileposts for Clark Atlanta (1-0). It avenged a 24-13 defeat at the hands of Livingstone (0-1) in the 2019 season-opener and debut for CAU head coach Tim Bowens. It also was the first season-opening win for CAU since 2017. 

In that 2017 win, Saldana as a freshman hit an extra point with no time remaining to put the game against Mississippi College into overtime and then connected on the game-winner to give CAU a 32-29 victory.

"All I asked Carlos is how close do we need to get it. Is that close enough?" Bowens said.  "He said, 'Yeah, I'm good right there.  Just inside the 35.' And I said 'Let's do it then.'"

In a physical and chippy game, CAU was aided by a big penalty call on that final drive as Elijah Odom's pass looked to be picked off in the end zone, but the defender caught the ball out of bounds. The same Livingstone player began to celebrate and then kicked the ball across the field, garnering a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and helping set up the CAU offense closer to the end zone and a first down. 

Odom then gave the ball to Jeremiah Gibbs for a short run to set up Saldana's kick.  Saldana finished 2-of-3 on field goals on the day after hitting a 34-yarder in the first quarter.  

While the Panther offense struggled much of the game – the highlight being a 27-yard touchdown pass from Odom to Anthony Brown to start off the second half and put CAU up 10-7 – the Panther defense was stingy all day.   They only gave up 195 of offense to Livingstone and forced five fumbles, recovering three, and an interception.

"I think defensively we had a couple of turnovers that were huge for us," Bowens said. "I'm going to have to give a shout out for the defense for holding them and getting the ball back for us.  I think that was always good to see."

Saturday's win was Bowens' first win as Clark Atlanta's head coach after an 0-10 campaign in 2019.

"It feels great," he said.  "These guys haven't won in a long time. It was really good to get that under their belts and I'm proud and excited for them, proud and excited for our fans, everyone who supported CAU.  We're just very thankful to get to this day and achieve our goal of being 1-0."

Next up for CAU is the home opener against Lane at CAU Panther Stadium at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11. Lane lost to University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff 34-16 Saturday.  Ticket information can be found at https://1591.thankyou4caring.org/football-tickets-2021-season.