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| HOME OF THE WINSTON SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY RAMS 2011 CIAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS 2011 HBCU NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 2011 RAMS Regular Season 11-0 NCAA Division II Playoffs: 2-1 NCAA Division II National Ranking: #3 |
WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA -- It's no secret that CIAA football had no respect on the national level.
But that could all change now that Winston-Salem State has matched the conference's all-time victories total in playoff games, reached the semifinals of the Division II playoffs and has risen to No. 3 in the coaches' poll.
But that could all change now that Winston-Salem State has matched the conference's all-time victories total in playoff games, reached the semifinals of the Division II playoffs and has risen to No. 3 in the coaches' poll.
Before this season, the CIAA was 2-27 in the playoffs since 1978. The Rams were 2-1 in this season's playoffs, losing to Wayne State 21-14 in Saturday's semifinals.
Videographers: Cornell Jones and Desmond Barnes; 2011 CIAA Champions Winston-Salem State University. In the final Division II polls, the Rams are ranked #3 in the nation.
Coach Waverly Tiller of Elizabeth City State, who serves on the Division II championship committee, saw all three of WSSU's playoff games, and said he expects a boost from the Rams' run. Tiller's team also made the postseason but lost to California (Pa.) in the first round. This season was the first since 2006 that the CIAA sent two teams to the 24-team playoffs.
"It really does speak volumes for the CIAA," Tiller said. "Winston-Salem State being the region winner and getting recognized nationally is a big thing. It's every coach's dream, and now Winston has paved the way, and the message is that the CIAA can do it."
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