ASU VS. KSU EARNS HSRN "GAME OF THE WEEK" HONORS

Albany, Georgia - Because Saturday's game between Albany State and Kentucky State is the HSRN Game of the Week, it can be heard live on the internet and satellite radio.

"We encourage our fans who want to hear the action of the Golden Rams game against the KSU Thorobreds to listen to the game on HSRN. The broadcasters will provide live action, play-by-play of the game," said Richard H. Williams, ASU's interim athletics director.

Fans can listen to the live broadcast on Sirius XM Satellite Radio Network, Channel 137, and XM Radio. Fans may also visit www.hsrn.com and click the "Listen Live" link on the HSRN home page.

Other internet resources for the HSRN broadcast are www.HBCUConnect.com, www.HBCUDigest.com, www.TuneIn.com, www.Blacksportsonline.com, www.BSTM.com and www.Urbaiamag.com.

Other radio network coverage includes WOKS 1340 AM out of Columbus, WAGF 1320 AM out of Dothan, Ala., and WEUP 1700 AM out of Huntsville, Ala. Coverage for the game kicks off at 1:30 p.m. with the pre-game show.

Color analyst Mike Walker will join play-by-play announcer Lamont Germany in the booth, with LeCounte Conaway providing sideline coverage. The game will kick off at 2:30 p.m.

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Circle City Classic: Alabama A&M Bulldogs 35, Tuskegee Golden Tigers 15

Alabama A&M rallies to win Circle City Classic, 35-15

Taking advantage of four second-half turnovers and a blocked punt for a touchdown, Alabama A&M rallied past Tuskegee 35-15 today in the Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium.Alabama A&M trailed 15-0 but scored 35 unanswered points. Tuskegee (4-2) lost two fumbles, had two interceptions and had a punt blocked that Larry Lumpkin fell on for a score. The two traditional rivals from Alabama were playing a rematch of last year’s game, won 34-24 by Tuskegee, an NCAA Division II school. Ulysses Banks ran for 104 yards and a touchdown for A&M (4-1), an NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivsion (formerly I-AA) program. Korey Morrison also had a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown for A&M, alma mater of Colts defensive end Robert Mathis.

A time to rise

INDIANAPOLIS - For 30 minutes, Alabama A&M's defense had no answers against Tuskegee's offense. The Golden Tigers had their way against the Bulldogs in the first half, accumulating almost 230 yards, but only had an eight-point lead at intermission. The second half was totally different. The result was a 35-15 A&M victory before an announced crowd of 35,289 in the 26th annual Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Bulldogs blanked Tuskegee over the final 30 minutes, holding the Golden Tigers to 23 yards in total offense while blocking a punt for a touchdown and forcing four turnovers that led to 17 points.

"We realized they couldn't hang with us if we played the way we were supposed to play," said A&M inside linebacker Afu Okosun, whose interception early in the fourth quarter helped set up Tony Green's 1-yard run that gave the Bulldogs a 25-15 lead with just less than nine minutes remaining. "We dominated the way we were supposed to dominate." With the win, A&M avenged last year's 34-24 loss to Tuskegee, and improved to 4-1 on the season. Tuskegee fell to 4-2.

Circle City Classic -

Alabama A&M makes it a rivalry

For a half, it appeared Robert Mathis might be upset with his alma mater for the second year in a row. The Indianapolis Colts defensive end delivered a pregame speech to Alabama A&M prior to its 35-15 victory over Tuskegee in Saturday's Circle City Classic. The Bulldogs fell behind 15-0 before turning four second-half turnovers and a blocked punt in the end zone into a lopsided victory in the recently resurrected rivalry between the two Alabama schools. A&M lost 34-24 to Tuskegee in last year's Classic, the first time the schools had played since 1999 in a rivalry that dates to 1932. Mathis let the Bulldogs know what he thought about losing to the Golden Tigers.

"He was talking about last year's game and how he was down about that," said A&M running back Tony Green, whose 1-yard touchdown run was part of 20 fourth-quarter points. "He was here and wanted to see us whoop up on them." Alabama A&M leads the series 23-20-4, but when the schools next play is up in the air. The rivalry stopped after A&M won 54-0 in 1999 and moved from NCAA Division II to the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA) while Tuskegee remained Division II.

Circle City Classic Attendance: 35,289 @Lucus Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN.

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FAMU Rattlers rally behind Camel

Photo: FAMU QB Leon Camel rolls out to pass in TSU game last week.

By St. Clair Murraine, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

As surprising as the departure of Albert Chester II was as quarterback of FAMU's football team earlier this week, the move doesn't seem to have affected the Rattlers offense. After spending the last hour of Thursday's practice watching film following a downpour, the players emerged pumped full of enthusiasm.

Coach Rubin Carter said the offense is ready to complete the season with senior walk-on Leon Camel under center. Eddie Battle will be the backup, Carter said.

“Everybody wants to rally behind (Camel); just give him that confidence that he needs to win,” said senior wide receiver Willie Hayward, who walked on with Camel four years ago. “It (Chester's departure) wasn't disruptive, but we had to adjust real quickly and be focused for the upcoming game.”

FAMU plays Winston-Salem State in the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis. Chester said Tuesday that he wouldn't continue to quarterback the team because of multiple injuries.

That opened the door for Camel, who became Chester's backup last season. He started the Miami game.

Camel has completed 9 of 23 passes for 115 yards in two games this season. He scored one touchdown, which came last weekend when he came on in the third quarter to lead FAMU to an 18-17 win.

“The offense is basically in for the game,” he said. “I feel real good about playing. I'm not nervous or anything. It's football. I've been doing it for a while. I'm ready to get in and have some fun.”

FAMU vs. Winston-Salem St., 4 p.m. on NFL Network, WHBX (96.1 FM).

Photo: Leon Camel,#16 celebrates with Willie Hayward after running for a second half touchdown. The Florida A&M football team takes on Winston Salem State on Saturday in the Circle City Classic.

Circle City Classic still draws a crowd, just not inside the Dome

By Robert King, Indy Star

More than 150,000 people are expected Downtown this weekend for the 24th Circle City Classic, but the event's supporters are increasingly concerned about how many of those folks will show up for Saturday's football game.

Big crowds continue to turn out for the game-day parade, the daylong Fall Fest and a long list of outside-the-game activities such as the black-tie gala, comedy show and the like.

But the matchup that makes it all possible -- the annual football game between teams from historically black colleges and universities -- has been hemorrhaging fans. This year, Florida A&M faces Winston-Salem State.

Once a contest that drew 60,000 people to the RCA Dome, the game hasn't hit that mark in a decade. The past three years, attendance has slipped significantly. Last year's game drew 31,597.

For an event that provides much-needed scholarship money to local organizations and an important payday to the participating colleges, the downward spiral isn't prompting panic. But there is growing concern that the game has become almost incidental.

Classic officials are targeting ads at white and Hispanic audiences, turning to new technology and amping up the halftime show to increase attendance.

"Only the alumni watch the game. I think everybody else comes to socialize," said Sharon Maxey, who saw the first Classic and is a part of its older fan base. As an advertising sales consultant for The Indianapolis Recorder, she has seen game-related ad sales decline in recent years in part, she fears, because of fading interest.

"There is a feeling among some that the focus has gotten off the game and that the game benefits African-American education," said Amos Brown, a local radio personality on WTLC-AM (1310) and longtime Classic supporter. "I think that has gotten lost in the shuffle in an emphasis on partying and entertainment that is part of the weekend."

But it is competing in a crowded field.

There are more than 40 games around the country this year between historically black colleges that bear the title "classic." Most, like many black colleges themselves, are in the South.

For years, the Circle City Classic stood alone among cities in the Midwest that hosted such a game. The bowl-game-like atmosphere and opportunity for black college alumni -- even those whose teams weren't on the bill -- was a great attraction for people in surrounding states, said Eric Moore, managing editor of HBCUSports.com, a Web site that covers black college sports.

The problem now, Moore said, is that cities like Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati and St. Louis have added their own games.

"There has been sort of a dilution of the uniqueness of the Classic," he said.
That has made it more important for games like the Circle City Classic to get good matchups involving bigger-name black colleges or at least those with rivalries. Moore said some cities, like Cincinnati and Detroit, opted to postpone their classics rather than settle for lackluster matchups.

Florida A&M is considered a big-name school among black colleges, Moore said. Winston-Salem State is more of a newcomer. And theirs is not a great rivalry. Still, he considers the Circle City Classic a top-notch event.

Saturday's Classic will be the last in RCA Dome, which gets demolished next year. The 2008 Classic is expected to move into the more spacious Lucas Oil Stadium. By then, organizers hope a research survey being conducted of the fans this weekend will give them a better understanding of what's working, what's not, and how best to sell the game.

Classic officials chalk up their attendance problem primarily to an aging fan base. Most of the game's original core fans -- black college alumni from around the Midwest -- have moved solidly into the older-than-50 demographic. Meanwhile, the game has been slow to develop a younger generation of ticket-buying fans and new audiences.

"We are at that point where we have to bridge that gap and sustain what has been a great event," said Classic executive director Tony Mason. "And we will."
The effort to reach new fans is evident in this year's marketing.

Aside from the traditional bombarding of black radio stations, the Classic has been advertising on "non-urban" radio outlets in hopes of attracting white and Hispanic fans, said Denise Herd, vice president of marketing and sales for Indiana Black Expo, the Classic's parent organization.

It has also tuned to so-called new media.

The Classic has been sending e-mail "blasts" to 10,000 addresses it compiled over the years, offering updates on the event list and entertainment lineup. It created podcasts to promote the game to the YouTube generation. There's a page on MySpace.com with a new Circle City Classic theme song that puts some funk into the traditional commercial jingle.

And the game's 30-minute halftime show will offer a lineup aimed at young audiences. It features Kelly Rowland, of Destiny's Child fame, and a face-to-face battle of the participating college bands, a la the movie "Drumline."

There will even be a massive exhibition of the country's latest dance craze -- the Cupid Shuffle -- featuring the R&B singer Cupid performing the song that inspired it.
The early returns are promising. As of Wednesday, Mason said, 34,000 tickets had been sold. For an event that usually features a big game-day walk-up crowd, Mason is expecting at least 45,000 people, maybe more.

And despite concerns of the game being overshadowed by the festivities, Mason said the two can go hand in hand. Some fans, he said, may come for the party but stay for the game.

"Sometimes," Mason said, "we find that the last ticket people buy is the game ticket."

Classic highlights

The Circle City Classic is expected to pump 150,000 people and $11.8.million into Indianapolis this weekend. What to expect:
FRIDAY
Indianapolis Colts Classic Coaches Luncheon
Colts coach Tony Dungy and Indiana Fever star Tamika Catchings will receive Major Taylor awards.
Time: Noon-1:30 p.m.
Place: Indiana Convention Center.
Cost: $30.
The Mike Epps Comedy Jam
Homegrown comedian-actor Mike Epps performs two shows.
Time: 8 and 11 p.m.
Place: Murat Theatre.
Cost: $39.
SATURDAY
American Family Insurance Classic Parade
More than 100 entries.
Time: 10 a.m.-noon.
Place: Downtown.
Cost: Free, with some areas of paid VIP seating.
24th Annual Coca-Cola Circle City Classic
Winston-Salem State plays Florida A&M. Halftime show features Kelly Rowland and Battle of the Bands.
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: RCA Dome.
Cost: $10-$40.
For more information, details and reviews of the Classic’s entertainment events, see Friday’s Go! section.
For a complete schedule of events, go to IndyStar.com/entertainment.

WSSU Rams Notebook: Rattlers' Chester will call it quits

COMPILED BY JOHN DELL

■ Albert Chester II, Florida A&M’s starting quarterback, has quit football. He told the Tallahassee Democrat that he was leaving the team because his body could no longer withstand the rigors of game.

“I spoke with my physician and my family, and we’ve come to a decision that it will be in my best interest to no longer play football,” Chester said in a statement he released to the newspaper before Tuesday’s practice.

Chester, who has battled various injuries since becoming the starter in 2005, started all four games for the Rattlers this season, 10 of 11 last season and four games in 2005. He’ll be replaced by Leon Camel (5-6, 170) on Saturday when FAMU plays Winston-Salem State at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.

“They can’t change a whole lot of their offense,” defensive coordinator Mike Ketchum of WSSU said. “I know Leon Camel came in and scored the game-winning touchdown on a 9-yard run against Tennessee State.”

Ketchum said that preparing for the Rattlers will be a little different with Chester gone.

“Camel is more of a runner than Albert, but he can still throw the ball some,” Ketchum said.

Chester completed 164 of 264 passes for 1,986 yards last season. He was 57 of 95 passing, with three interceptions, in four games this season.

■ Winston-Salem State has one player on its roster from Florida - David Irizarry, a kick returner and defensive back who transferred from Allen University before last season and knows quite a bit about Florida A&M. He grew up near Miami and is good friends with Demetrius Lane, a defensive lineman at FAMU.

“We haven’t talked this week since we are playing them,” Irizarry said. “We’ll talk to each other after the game.”

■ WSSU probably will play in front of its biggest crowd Saturday. Circle City Classic officials say they’re expecting 50,000 or more fans, but the number of tickets sold was unavailable yesterday. The RCA Dome seats 60,000.

The Rams have played in big stadiums before - Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego (1998 and ’99) and the Georgia Dome in Atlanta (2000 Pioneer Bowl). But those games drew crowds of about 10,000 a game.

“You know being at this level it certainly it gives us the opportunity to showcase our university and team, and I think that the status of being Division I helped us in to be able to play in the game,” Coach Kermit Blount said.

■ One of the most heated competitions in Indianapolis will come at halftime, when the WSSU band and the renowned Florida A&M band perform. Asked yesterday about the bands, David Irizarry of the Rams said: “Our band is pretty good, but the Marching 100s (FAMU’s band) has a reputation of being the best. I’ll just say I think our band can hold its own.”… The Rams will play their fifth straight road game Saturday.

They’ll have an open date next weekend, then play at Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 20. “We need a week off,” Blount said. “So I think the week off is coming at a perfect time.” Blount said that quarterback Monte Purvis (shoulder) and running Jed Bines (ankle) have practiced this week. Purvis had a string of 23 straight starts end last week, but he’s expected to start Saturday

Blount and the Rams ready for Florida A&M at Circle City Classic

Photo: WSSU Head Coach Kermit Blount

by WSSU Sports Information

WSSU Head Coach Addresses Media And Fans

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - WSSU head football coach Kermit Blount met with members of the media on Wednesday afternoon at the Pig Pickins' on Deacon Boulevard in Winston-Salem in his weekly press conference to address the Rams' upcoming game versus the Florida A&M Rattlers in the 2007 Coca-Cola Circle City Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana.

WSSU Head Coach Kermit Blount

Talk to us about last week...

"It was a disappointing loss for us for a couple of reasons. Number one, defensively we gave up some easy touchdowns. One of the things we have to learn to do as a football team, especially defensively, is not give up big plays. We ended up giving up two big plays last week that really hurt us. Of course offensively we were a little sluggish starting but we finally got it on track where we were able to score a couple of touchdowns that were called back and we missed two field goals so when I look at the scenario, even if we make one of those field goals we don't go into overtime and we win a ball game that we didn't play very well in. But at the same time, this team of ours is a little banged up and we need to get past this one this weekend, take next week and try to rest up and get ready for another road game."

What was the energy level like last week

"I think we may have been a little flat. I think we may be, or seem to be, a tired football team and I can certainly understand that. We've been on the road since the second week of September but at the same time when it comes to playing the game there are no excuses. We didn't play our best football, we didn't start Purvis on the offensive side, we started Dunston, so offensively we got off to a slow start, but defensively we gave up something easy and we can't do that. We've done that two straight weeks in a row. We have to eliminate that, but I think our team may have been a little flat. I think we might have underestimated the ability of Howard and at the same time it was a combination of us being road weary but that's no excuse you still have to go out and play in order to win those ball games."

Talk about the schedule. You guys have six weeks in a row on the road

"Well it's tough, but you know, us coming into and moving up into this division and moving into the conference the schedule has to be adjusted and certainly next year it will be a different kind of schedule for us and I don't think we will ever be in a situation were we have to travel five or six straight weeks. It is what it is, you know, we had to do what we had to do schedule-wise to make sure we are compliant with the MEAC and we have done that to this point so our schedule should balance itself out."

Photo: RS Senior QB Monte Purvis is a passing and running threat for MEAC opponents.

Can you talk about the progress of the passing game?

"Well it is one of the things I talked about last week in that we had to get better at throwing the football and I still think we could have thrown it a little better last week but I was very impressed with the receivers and the way they stepped their game up to play last week and of course Purvis had a outstanding ball game when he finally got himself going. Monte missed four days of practice and Jed Bines missed four days of practice last week so in actuality they didn't practice at all and I think that had something to do with them being a little sluggish starting us off. Once they got on track and got warmed up the offense started to click a little bit."

How do the coaches get the players ready for the things that they will be doing?

"Well the good thing about playing on the road is it's a little easier to maintain your players. You know you can get them their down time and get them their rest because you don't have to worry about people visiting the dormitory on a Friday night so it's a little better on the road in certain instances. The thing we have to do this week is make sure we keep our kids corralled because it's not a pleasure trip for us it's a business trip. Our young men understand that we are going to stay away from all the festivities. We are staying outside the city limits so we are going to monitor things that way. They will have a chance on Friday to get some down time and relax and meet a little more offensively and defensively and special teams but at the same time we are going to prepare to play in this big venue which a lot of kids haven't played in before so its an exciting time and we have to respond to that as a team."

Photo: WSSU defense working over Morgan State runner.

What do you know about Florida A&M?

"Well, you know what Florida A&M presents and brings to the table is a lot of team speed. A football team that we played last year for the first time in the history of the school we felt that we gave one away down there last year. We missed a couple of field goals last year at FAMU that really could have iced the ball game. There were a couple of things that happened and other things that happened that we questioned but at the same time it's a game that we should have won. Our kids remember that game and that one really hurt them pretty bad last year because that was a pretty good run for us. It is going to be an exciting game this weekend and as I normally say, the team that makes the least amount of mistakes and gives up the least amount of big plays is the team that is going to win the ball game and that's something that we are going to have make sure we do this weekend."

Blount says WSSU needs better offense

By John Dell, Winston Salem Journal

Offensive linemen may be switched for Morgan State

Much has been made about Winston-Salem State’s change of philosophy on offense. There was supposed to be more emphasis on the passing game, but that aspect was missing in Saturday’s 28-21 loss to Coastal Carolina.

Coach Kermit Blount isn’t holding quarterback Monte Purvis responsible. Had it not been for Purvis’ ability to run - he had a career-high 165 yards on 19 carries and scored all three touchdowns - the Rams wouldn’t have been close.

“We had a couple of guys up front who didn’t play well, especially in the first half,” Blount said of the offensive line. “Certainly those things are correctable, and that’s what we’ll need to shore up before this week’s game.”

Blount said he might move some linemen around for Saturday’s game at Morgan State. Kickoff will be at 4 p.m., and both teams are 1-1.

Purvis was just 2 of 10 passing for 11 yards against Coastal Carolina, and there were some dropped passes.

Blount said that on the Rams’ final drive, Rod Fluellen dropped a pass of about 40 yards from Purvis that could have made a big difference.

“If Rod doesn’t drop that one, we could have been in position to keep things going,” Blount said.

Nick Calcutta was hired as the offensive coordinator this season, and he brought in a plan to spread out the offense to include more passing. In the win over N.C. A&T two weeks ago, Purvis hit seven different receivers, but he couldn’t get things going against Coastal.

To be competitive against teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, the Rams will have to be more balanced. When they played in the CIAA, they often could win by pounding teams with a steady running game.

Blount said he doesn’t want to peg his team as either a running or a passing team.

“I think the game dictates what you can do best,” he said. “It depends on what the defense gives you. We have a good running game with (Brandon McRae), (Jed) Bines and Monte, but we also have guys that can catch the football.”

Against a talented Morgan State team, finding a balance will be crucial.

“When you look at our football team, we have to be balanced,” Blount said. “And like I’ve always said, it starts with the guys up front.”

Winston Salem State University Marching Rams

WSSU Rams face Coastal Carolina next

WSSU Sports Information

WINSTON-SALEM, NC -

Game Details...The Winston-Salem State University Rams (1-0) versus the Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers (0-1) at James C. Benton Field at Brooks Stadium (7,322) in Conway, South Carolina on September 8, 2007 at 7:00 pm.

The Event....The second game of the season for both teams. The Rams enter into the contest sporting a 1-0 record overall as they defeated the North Carolina A&T State University "Aggies" on September 1, 2007 by the score of 28-7 at Bowman Gray Stadium. The Chanticleers, a team who entered into the 2007 ranked in all four national polls, dropped a close 23-18 decision to the Hornets of Delaware State University on Saturday afternoon in Dover, Delaware. The Rams look to try to win back-to-back games to open the season for the first time since 2000 while the Chanticleers look to prevent posting a pair of losses to open the season for the first time in the program's history.

The Series...The series between the two teams is a new one as WSSU and Coastal Carolina have met only one other time prior to this Saturday's contest. The Chanticleers and Rams met last season in Winston-Salem, North Carolina at Bowman Gray Stadium where Coastal Carolina earned a 31-12 win over WSSU. The Chants own the 1-0 series advantage all-time and Saturday's contest will mark WSSU's first trip to Brooks Stadium in Conway, SC.

Series Reloaded...Last season's meeting between the two teams marked the first time in history that the two teams had ever met. The Rams enter into Saturday's contest with a 65-year record of 335-245-21 overall while Coastal Carolina, a program in its relative infancy, enters the contest with a four-year record of 34-11 overall. Despite the program's relative youth, the Chanticleers captured back-to-back-to-back Big South Conference football titles in 2003, 2004, and 2005.

Television Coverage...There is no national television coverage for this contest.


Radio Coverage...This weekend's contest will be available to listeners in the greater Winston-Salem, NC area live on WSNC, 90.5 FM with Maurice "Big Mo" Stanfield calling all the play-by-play action and Ted Fichialos providing the color commentary, as well as live nationally on the internet at www.WSSU.edu by clicking on the link: "Listen to WSNC." The Chanticleers will air the game on 93.9 FM "The Fan." Fans can also listen to the game on both Coastal Carolina (www.GOCCUSPORTS.com) and WSSU's (www.WSSURAMS.com) Athletic Websites. For the Chanticleers Layne Harris will provide the color commentary with Matt Hogue calling all the play-by-play as Joe Cashion covers the sidelines and mans the pre-game action.

Live Statistical Broadcast Online...A live statistical broadcast of the game, utilizing CSTV's "Gametracker" statistical software will be available on the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com. Fans may access the live stats by visiting the WSSU Football schedule page and clicking on the "Gametracker" link. As well, Coastal Carolina will broadcast live statistics via the CCU Athletic Website at www.GOCCUSPORTS.com.

Weather Forecast...Saturday's contest is set to be played in good weather as the forecast calls for high temperatures of 83 degrees with a low of 73 degrees and only a 10% chance of precipitation under partly cloudy skies. Humidity is slated to be 77% with winds out of the Northeast at 12 miles per hour with a UV index of seven (high). Sunrise will take place at 6:54 am Eastern and will set at 7:33 pm Eastern.

Setting The Scene...The match up between the Rams and Chanticleers is very important for both teams. The Rams are looking to avenge last season's loss to Coastal Carolina and WSSU is searching for a win over a seasoned NCAA-playoff participant. Coastal Carolina is looking to earn its first win of the season as they try to prevent from starting a season at 0-2 for the first time in the program's history. The Rams and Chants are both storied football programs that have captured multiple conference titles yet have met only one other time prior to Saturday's contest.

The Coaches...The Rams are coached by 15th-year man Kermit Blount. Blount has posted an impressive 82-64-3 record at WSSU and has led the Rams to two CIAA titles (1999 and 2000). He has posted an 0-1 record versus Coastal Carolina since taking over as head of the WSSU football program in 1993 but has never beaten David Bennett, the Chanticleer's head coach. The Chanticleers are led by David Bennett, a 1984 graduate of Presbyterian who has been at the helm of the Coastal Carolina football program since its inception four years ago. Bennett has led Coastal Carolina to a 34-12 overall record and three consecutive Big South Conference Championships. He is 1-0 versus WSSU and 1-0 versus current WSSU head coach Kermit Blount.

Next Up...The Rams bid a fond farewell to the friendly confines of Bowman Gray Stadium as they will embark on a six-game, seven-week road swing that will see them return to Winston-Salem, NC for a home contest on October 27, 2007 as they play host to the nationally-ranked Pirates of Hampton University. First up for the Rams will be another nationally-ranked team as WSSU heads out of conference to face the Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC. The two teams have met only one other time (2006) and CCU leads the all-time series 1-0. Following the game versus the Chanticleers, the Rams will head to Baltimore, Maryland to face a team that they have never lined up against in the Bears of Morgan State University.

2006 Results...The Rams are coming off of a 2006 season in which they made their first foray into competition at the Division I-Football Championship Subdivision level. WSSU posted an impressive 4-7 overall record and recorded wins over MEAC opponents NC A&T and Howard while narrowly losing to fellow MEAC members Hampton, Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M.

Rankings...Neither team is ranked in any of the four major Division I-FCS national football polls although Coastal Carolina is receiving votes. The Chanticleers started the season ranked in the Top-25 in three major polls but have since dropped out after falling in defeat to the Hornets of Delaware State University last weekend (31-28 in Dover, DE).

The Last Meeting...The last meeting between the two teams came during the 2006 season as the Rams fell in defeat to the nationally-ranked Chanticleers by the score of 31-12 in Winston-Salem, NC. CCU's Tyler Thigpen recorded four touchdown passes to three different receivers as the Chanticleers cruised to the win. The Rams struck first in the contest as Brandon McRae capped a six-play 80-yard touchdown drive with a 46-yard touchdown run yet the Rams could not hang on as Thigpen and All-American wide receiver Jerome Simpson gave Coastal Carolina a 1-0 lead in the all-time series.

A Win This Week Would...

...give the Rams their second win of the 2007 season and move Winston-Salem State to 2-0 overall.

...give WSSU head coach Kermit Blount his 83rd win at WSSU putting him two wins ahead of Thomas "Tank" Conrad in sole possession of second place on the WSSU all-time win list (behind only Bill Hayes with an all-time best 89 wins).

...earn the Rams their sixth win over a Division I opponent since making the move to Division I-FCS in 2006.

...earn the Rams their seventh win as an NCAA Division I-FCS program.

...drop the Chanticleers to 0-2 this season and move them to 0-2 for the first time in school history.

...pull current WSSU head coach Kermit Blount's overall record versus Coastal Carolina to 1-1 overall.

...give the Rams their first victory in the State of South Carolina since a 2000 victory over South Carolina State (39-28)

On The Plus Side Again...Dating back to the Rams' first game in recorded history (which came in 1941), WSSU had posted an overall record of 31-31-4 in season openers until last weekend's season-opening victory moved WSSU to 32-31-4 in "first games" of the season. The win was important to the Rams because as of late history had not been kind to the Rams as they had dropped five consecutive season-openers dating back to the 2001 season before last Saturday's win over the Aggies.

Sibling Rivalry...WSSU freshman quarterback Tienne Jefferson (Washington, D.C./Fork Union Military Academy) is no stranger to the competition that he will face this season in the MEAC as his brother Theo is a safety for the Delaware State University Hornets.

Ram Family...WSSU freshman linebacker Colby Morris (Elizabeth City, NC/Northeastern) won't be homesick during his freshman season with the Rams as he brought a little piece of home with him. In fact Colby brought a big piece of home with him as he brought his brother Corey to WSSU. The 6'10", 255-pound Corey Morris will play basketball for the Rams this season and is one of WSSU's most highly recruited players.

The Ties That Bind...WSSU and Coastal Carolina are no strangers to one another, despite playing for only the second time in history on Saturday as Keith James, the Chanticleer's running backs coach and academic advisor is both a graduate of, and former coach at, Winston-Salem State University. James is a 1989 graduate of WSSU and helped to lead the Rams to the 1988 CIAA Championship game where he was named the game's MVP. Not only was he a player at WSSU but James was also a coach as he spent six years on the Rams' football staff under Kermit Blount before moving on to Coastal Carolina.

In, But Not Completely...Though the Rams are considered a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference they are unable to compete for a championship until the 2009 season (per NCAA mandates). The Rams will play a full slate of MEAC games but will be ineligible for a conference title, ineligible for postseason awards and will not be listed in the MEAC statistics at seasons' end.

Getting There...The Rams will officially open the brand new, state-of-the-art WSSU Athletic Fieldhouse on Friday, November 2, 2007, one day prior to WSSU's Homecoming game versus Delaware State. The new 12,000 square foot building, which is projected to cost 5.1 million dollars will house many of the WSSU Athletic Department's Administrative Offices, the Football staff and the Sports Medicine and Strength and Conditioning Offices.

Back For The Last Time...WSSU fifth-year senior running back Jed Bines (Winston-Salem, NC/Parkland) has rejoined the team for his final year of eligibility in 2007 after sitting out 2006 to focus on academics. Bines is a welcome addition to the Rams' backfield as he recorded 964 yards on 166 carries in 2005 and led the team with nine touchdowns. Bines sits fourth in all-time rushing yards at WSSU with 2,800 yards on 332 carries. He also ranks sixth in rushing touchdowns with 28.

Climbing The Record Books...Fifth-year senior running back Jed Bines moved up two places on the Rams' all-time rushing yardage chart last weekend as he moved from sixth place (2,675 yards on 316 carries) to fourth place (2,800 yards on 332 carries) with a 125-yard performance against North Carolina A&T. Bines vaulted past Marvin Morrison and Broderick Graves following his 100-p;us yard output versus the Aggies.

100-Yard Games In Bunches...Running back Jed Bines recorded the 16th 100-yard rushing game of his career last Saturday when he tallied 125 yards rushing against the Aggies. Bines had five 100-yard games in 2005, six 100-yard games in 2004 and four 100-yard games in 2003. Jed sat out last season to focus on academics.

Homecooking...The Rams like to recruit local talent. Winston-Salem State University has 59 players on the roster from the State of North Carolina as more than half of the team is playing in the state in which they reside. WSSU has 10 players from South Carolina, four from the District of Columbia, four from Virginia, two from Georgia, and one each from the states of Florida and Pennsylvania.

Injury Update...Players who are listed as OUT for Saturday's game are: Montez Ham, a 5'11", 180-pound wide receiver who is out with a right ankle injury; Edward Jordan, a 6'0", 330-pound offensive lineman who is out with a right knee injury; Jared Mitchell, a 6'3", 185-pound free safety who is out with a left knee injury; and Murrell Streeter, Jr., a 5'10", 220-pound linebacker who is still recovering from having his appendix out. Players who are listed as QUESTIONABLE are: Corei Plummer, a 5'11", 262-pound offensive lineman who is questionable with a right knee injury. Players who are PROBABLE for Saturday's game are: Julian Gray, a 6'4", 275-pound offensive lineman who is probable with a left knee injury.

Understanding The Injury Chart...The Rams use the National Football League's injury chart model which separates injuries into four categories: (1) "Out" which indicates that a player will not play in the upcoming game and will not be dressed for the contest. (2) "Doubtful" which indicates that a player will have only a 25% chance of playing. (3) "Questionable" which indicates that a player will have a 50% chance of playing, and (4) "Probable" which indicates that the player has a 75% chance of playing.

2007 Circle City Classic...The Rams have accepted an invitation to participate in the 2007 Circle City Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana the weekend of October 5-6, 2007. The Rams will face the Rattlers of Florida A&M University in the RCA Dome in Indianapolis as WSSU looks to avenge last season's loss to FAMU, a contest in which the Rattlers rallied from a late fourth-quarter deficit to sneak out a 35-21 win.

Coastal's Offense Comes In Bunches...Whether this year's Coastal Carolina team is similar to last year's offensive juggernaut remains to be seen, however, the Chanticleers racked up 411 points last season while giving up less than 300 (297). The Chants averaged 34.2 points per game last season en route to another NCAA Division I-FCS playoff appearance.

Able To Break For The Long One...Headed into the Coastal Carolina game the Rams have broken out for five big plays (which the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations defines as plays 20 yards or longer in length). WSSU has four rushing plays of 20 yards or longer and one interception return for 20 yards or longer.

Touchdowns Come Fast...The Rams have four offensive touchdowns this season and have amassed a total scoring drive time of 10:59 (659 seconds) over those four scoring drives. WSSU is averaging only 3:14 per scoring drive with the longest touchdown drive of the season taking 4:30 (a 92-yard, eight-play drive against North Carolina A&T) and the shortest TD drive taking only 1:38 (an 80-yard, five-lay scoring drive versus North Carolina A&T).

Haven't Broken For The Home Run Ball...The Rams have yet to record a big play (20 yards or more) via air this season. However, the Rams have recorded scoring catches of 19 and 16 yards and had a 70 yard pass reception by Michael Scarbrough nullified by a holding penalty.

Hanging On To It More...The Rams are averaging 4.76 play per drive this season and have scored three of their four touchdowns on drives of six plays or more. Despite the low number of plays that it has taken for WSSU to find the endzone, the Rams are still averaging almost half a play more than their opponents (4.53 plays per drive).

Hasn't Happened Yet, But Almost...Since the Rams' transition to NCAA Division I-FCS, WSSU has not had a game in which they have recorded two 100-yard rushers in the same contest. That streak of 12 games was almost snapped last weekend versus the Aggies of North Carolina A&T State University when Jed Bines recorded 125 net yards rushing and Brandon McRae tallied 85 net yards rushing.

Not Bad For A Defensive Back...The Rams' punter, junior defensive back Jamaine Mack, is turning in quite a punting average as he fills in as the Rams punter. Mack has recorded seven punts for 250 yards for an average of 35.7 yards per punt.

Doubling-Up Opponents...Thus far this season the Rams have doubled-up their opponents in terms of rushing yardage. WSSU has tallied 286 yards rushing while yielding only 143 yards of ground yardage to their opponents.

Next Opponent On Top...The Rams' next opponent, the Morgan State University Bears, currently sit atop of the MEAC standings with a 1-0 record and 47 points scored with seven points allowed.

WSSU Head Coach Kermit Blount

What are your general thoughts on the team coming off last week's win and heading into Saturday's game at Coastal Carolina?

Well I think coming off of last week's game, the spirits are good, the work habits haven't changed. We're not going to let them change as coaches. One of the things that we told the football team after the game was that we have to play two times better going to Coastal Carolina than we did last week at Bowman Gray. I think that our kids have bought into our commitment to be the best that we can possibly be when we play and we're looking forward to the challenge this weekend.

What do you know about the Chanticleers other than that they beat you at home last season?

That's a pretty good football team in Conway right now. [Coastal Carolina ] Coach [David] Bennett and I had a conversation the other day and of course he's saying that he's struggling a little bit with his loss to Delaware State. But I know what that's all about. This is going to be a good football team. They're going to be well coached. They're not going to turn the ball over and we're going to have to compete for four quarters to get a win.