WSSU Rams Control Second Half To Roll Past Elizabeth City State, 35-7

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WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- The #15 Winston-Salem State University Rams overcame a sluggish first half start, to outscore the Elizabeth City State Vikings 21-0 in the second half, as they came away with a 35-7 victory.

With the win WSSU moves to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the CIAA, while Elizabeth City falls to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the CIAA. Winston-Salem State also pushes their winning streak to 30 consecutive games over HBCU's and 25 straight in the CIAA.

After a scoreless first quarter that saw neither team be able to sustain a decent drive, the teams exchanged five punts through the first 15:00 minutes of the game.

Another three and out by the Vikings saw Phillip Sims lead the Rams on their first scoring drive of the night.

Sims would complete five of five passes and a six yard run of his own before connecting with Eric Williams for a 15 yard scoring strike to give WSSU a 7-0 lead.



Elizabeth City State would come right back, going 80 yards in nine plays, capped off by a Tyrell Houghton to Lovie Banks-Rose touchdown pass and catch from 28 yards out to tie the score at 7-7.

Winston-Salem State would seem to settle down and get into an offensive rhythm, and Rudy Johnson would come in and lead a scoring drive of his own. WSSU would go 65 yards in eight plays, highlighted by a Johnson pass to Demeeko Jones for a 21 yard touchdown pass to put the Rams back out in front, 14-7.

The Vikings would get one more opportunity before halftime, but a 35 yards field goal attempt at the buzzer allowed WSSU to take the 14-7 lead into the locker room at the half.



The Rams came out in the second half firing on all cylinders, and Rudy Johnson would take the team on an 89 yard drive in 10 plays capped by a pass to Brenden Felder who dove at the corner of the endzone for an 11 yard touchdown to push their lead to 21-7.

Elizabeth City State would move the ball on their next series but the Rams defense that played bend but not break the whole night, came up with a big interception by Matthew Browning to give the ball back to WSSU.

Winston-Salem State would take advantage of the Vikings miscue and Phillip Sims would direct the Rams down the field in six plays, covering 73 yards and finished off with a 39 yard scoring strike from Sims to Eric Williams to give the Rams a 28-7 lead.



Once again the Vikings would move the ball on WSSU's defense and they worked their way down to the Rams 21 yard line. But as before the Rams defense stiffened and held the Viking s on fourth down to turn the ball back over to the hot WSSU offense.

In the fourth quarter, WSSU scored the only points, as they would go 67 yards in 12 plays and tyree Massey plunged over the goal line to give WSSU the final score of 35-7.

Winston-Salem State accumulated a season high 454 yards, although the Rams did give up a season high 303 yards passing. The one caveat, WSSU held Elizabeth City State to 0-5 in the red zone, and blanked them on the scoreboard in the second half.

Offensively for WSSU, Tyree Massey led the rushing attack with six carries for 40 yards and one touchdown, while Maurice Lewis rushed 14 times for 33 yards. Rudy Johnson picked up 25 yards on five carries and Phillip Sims rushed four times for 20 yards.

Phillips Sims finished the evening 13 of 16 for 178 yards and two touchdowns, and Rudy Johnson went 14 of 20 for 171 and two scores.



Marcel Caver led the Rams receiver corps with nine catches for 104 yards, while Brenden Felder finished with seven catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. Eric Williams had four catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns. Jamal Haizlip had two catches for 40 yards, and Demeeko Jones, Michael Benis, Jalen McDaniel, Mustafa Greene and Maurice Lewis each had one catch. Demeeko Jones' 21 yard catch resulted in a touchdown.

Defensively, Larry Hearne, Terry Ross and Conor O'Neal all led the Rams with five tackles each, while Hearne also had a tackle for a loss and a pass breakup, and Ross had 0.5 tackles for a loss. James Hickman had four tackles and 0.5 tackles for a loss, and Casey Davenport also had four tackles to go with two quarterback hurries. Matthew Browning finished with three tackles and an interception he returned for 21 yards, and D'Metrius Smith also had three tackles and a pass breakup.

Winston-Salem State will hit the highway next weekend, as they will travel to Murfreesboro, NC to take on the Chowan Hawks at 7:00 pm.


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COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS