Winston-Salem State Rams Stifled in 34-7 Loss to Catawba

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina – The Winston-Salem State Rams (1-1) could not overcome their own miscues in a 34-7 loss to the Catawba Indians (1-1), Saturday evening. The Rams turned the ball over four times and managed just seven points in a tough home loss to the Indians.

The Rams were stifled offensively in the game. As a team, the Rams managed 265 yards of total offense, but the team could not turn them into points in the loss. WSSU senior quarterback Rod Tinsley, Jr. led the WSSU offense, completing 11-of-22 passes for 101 yards while senior quarterback Emiere Scaife added eight-of-15 passes for 79 yards. WSSU sophomore running back Antwoin Pittman led the WSSU rushing attack with nine carries for 59 yards in the game. Senior running back Kerrion Moore had the sole touchdown for the Rams with 12 carries for 57 yards and a four-yard touchdown run.

The game was a defensive battle early, but the Rams had some misfortune early. The Rams' sole score allowed early came on a WSSU fumble in the endzone that was recovered by the Indians to leave the team trailing, 0-7. A missed coverage on the next Catawba drive led to the Indians taking a 14-0 lead over the Rams at the end of the first quarter.

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The Rams were able to recover in the second quarter. It was Moore who took a four-yard touchdown run against the Indians. The run capped a five-play 53-yard drive by the Rams and cut the WSSU deficit in half. The Rams stayed to within a touchdown of the Indians until the final minute of the half, when Catawba scored on a 45-yard touchdown pass with 26 seconds left in the second quarter. The missed PAT kick left the Rams trailing, 20-6 heading into the locker room at halftime.

The second half was not kind to the Rams. The team could not score for the remainder of the game, but the team held the Indians scoreless for the entire third quarter. It was in the fourth quarter that the game got away from the Rams with Catawba mounting a pair of scoring drives to take the 34-7 loss.

Defensively, the Rams gave a great effort in spite of the final score. WSSU senior lineback Patrick Greene had a great day with seven total tackles (none solo) as well as a tackle for a loss. Senior defensive lineman Jack Nimmons added a five total tackles (three solo) along with a seven-yard sack. Senior defensive back De'Andre Blevins recorded an interception as well as junior free safety Daryus Skinner.

With the loss, the Rams fall to 1-1 on the season. The team will return to action next Saturday when they head to Rocky Mount, N.C. to take on the Elizabeth City State Vikings in the Down East Vikings Classic. For more information on Rams football, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.

WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY RAMS SPORTS INFORMATION