The Journal and The Sun News■ Exact figures won’t be available until later this week, but Winston-Salem State’s game against N.C. A&T on Saturday appears as if it will be a major windfall for WSSU. Athletics Director Chico Caldwell said he’s hoping for a profit of at least $200,000.
“I feel real good about the turnout and about the atmosphere around the game,” Caldwell said.
The game, a 28-7 WSSU victory, drew one of the biggest crowds in Bowman Gray Stadium history, about 22,000 according to Caldwell. Caldwell said that some fans had to be turned away during the fourth quarter because of traffic jams around the stadium.
“We just couldn’t let anymore people in,” Caldwell said.
“It was a nice problem to have.”
The Rams have three home games left, against Hampton (Oct. 27), Delaware State (Nov. 3) and N.C. Central (Nov. 10).
“I heard even some of the naysayers who questioned our move from Division II talk about what a great atmosphere it was,” Caldwell said. “This is the first year we ever charged for parking, so that helped as well.”
■CONWAY, S.C. When asked about quarterback Ren McKinnon on Tuesday, the initial reaction from Coastal Carolina head coach David Bennett and quarterbacks coach Kevin Brown was quiet and somber; downcast eyes and slight shakes of their heads.
McKinnon, who missed last season due to an injury, had battled his way back this summer to put himself in contention for the starting quarterback job only to suffer another season-ending injury Saturday at Delaware State University.
Bennett said during his teleconference Tuesday that the hip fracture McKinnon sustained will sideline him for the season.
"You're not going to find a better kid," Bennett said.
McKinnon was not at practice Tuesday, and Bennett did not say if the redshirt senior would apply for a sixth year of eligibility.
McKinnon's injury is rarely seen on the football field. The force of the hit Saturday produced a concussive impact between his right femur and right hip socket.
"It's not as bad as Bo Jackson's injury," said Bennett over the former NFL star. "But it is similar."
■ With McKinnon out of the picture for Coastal Carolina, redshirt junior Will Richardson will start the home opener against Winston-Salem State at 7 p.m. Saturday. Richardson also started Saturday's game, rotating series with McKinnon until the injury.
The blow could also have a trickle down effect on freshman Jamie Childers, who shared second-string snaps with Sean Fortson at practice Tuesday and might lose his redshirt status later this season depending on circumstance.
■ Next game: Winston-Salem State Rams at Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
When 7 p.m. Saturday
Where Brooks Stadium, Conway, S.C.
TV None
Radio WJXY-FM, 93.9; WIQB-AM, 1050
5th Quarter: WSSU Rams vs NCAT Aggies Band
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