WSSU's Maynor maintains stance on lopsided win

Winston Salem, NC - Coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State said Monday he hasn't heard any backlash about his team's 67-16 victory over Virginia Union.

He remained unapologetic for allowing backup quarterback Jamie DeGeare, a fifth-year senior, to continue to throw in the fourth quarter, which started with the Rams leading 54-3.

"The game kind of got away from us in the third quarter with those two kickoff fumbles that we turned into touchdowns," Maynor said. "And I put my (second string) guys in during the fourth quarter, and they were just playing football."

Instead of keeping the ball on the ground and running ...
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Winston Salem State holds its first prospects camp

Winston Salem, N.C. - Coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State receives emails, YouTube clips and phone calls about possible football recruits on a regular basis.

 Sorting it all out can be daunting, so Maynor and his staff held WSSU's first "prospects camp" on Thursday at Bowman Gray Stadium. Division I programs have long held the camps during the summer, but they're rare for Division II programs. "I'm not aware of any of the CIAA schools that do this," Maynor said.

About 30 high school players attended the one-day camp, paying $25 each to be evaluated by WSSU coaches and to receive advice on parts of their games on which they might need to work.

Under NCAA rules, Maynor and his coaches can't comment...

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Pursuing QBs and criminals

Former Cavalier working on gridiron and DEA career

Winston Salem, N.C. - At 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds, Justin Kee is built to enforce justice on a football field.

In his freshman year at Winston-Salem State, Kee did some of that, and he’ll likely do much more of it through the next three falls. More importantly, he’s already working toward the same mission in the classroom.

Kee, a 2009 Lakeland graduate, earned an All-CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) Scholar-Athlete award for the 2010-11 school year as he’s maintained a 3.0-plus GPA throughout the year. Kee, a defensive lineman for the Rams, is a Justice Studies major with the goal of becoming a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent.

“That’s exactly what I’m aiming for. I like learning about the justice system a lot and I’ve started looking at the things I want to do if I go to work for the DEA,” Kee said.

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VISIT: WINSTON SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: WSSURAMS

WSSU's Corders waiting for chance at the NFL

Juan Corders of Winston-Salem State hasn't made an appearance in any of the endless mock drafts on the internet. But he still hopes for the chance to make an NFL roster.

Corders, a 6-foot-2, 250-pound defensive end from Durham, has spent the past several months working hard to get noticed. He graduated from WSSU in December with a double major in business management and marketing. He also played in two HBCU all-star games, and he plans to keep his cell phone close in the coming days.



"At one of the all-star games, there were some scouts showing interest," said Corders, an All-CIAA selection last season. "I've got nothing concrete, but I feel like something will come along after the draft, and I'll get a shot."

Corders participated in the NFL Pro Day at Wake Forest in March and did fairly well, bench-pressing 225 pounds 21 times and running the 40-yard dash in 4.88 seconds.

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VISIT: WINSTON SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: WSSURAMS

WSSU Coach Maynor Receives New 5-Year Contract and 43.75% Pay Raise

WSSU Chancellor Dr. Donald Reaves

GREENSBORO, N.C. - He's fourth on N.C. A&T's career passing list, but former All-MEAC quarterback Connell Maynor won't be the Aggies' next football coach.

Maynor, the head coach at Winston-Salem State, said during the weekend he turned down A&T's offer to take over for interim coach and longtime assistant George Ragsdale.

After Maynor turned down the Aggies, Winston-Salem States's Board of Trustees Executive Committee on Monday unanimously approved a new five-year contract that raised his salary from $90,000 to $160,000 a year, Chancellor Donald Reaves told the Journal. Former A&T coach Alonzo Lee's contract was worth $145,000 annually.

"It just wasn't worth the gamble," Maynor told the Journal...

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WSSU's big priority: Retention of athletes

Out with the cockroaches. In with state-of-the-art study space. Winston-Salem State’s work to strengthen its athletics program through the addition of an academic center is complete. The center is in the bowels of the Gaines Center, with part of it using a room known as “The Dungeon.”

Athletics Director Bill Hayes had a vision to build a place where athletes could go to study or for tutoring. “Who would have thought that ‘The Dungeon’ that was infested with cockroaches could be turned into an academic center?” Hayes said.

Chancellor Donald Reaves has talked at length about retention of all students at WSSU, including student-athletes. The new center features a computer lab with 10 computers and enough space for as many as 45 athletes to study at one time.


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WSSU's Maynor turns down offer from North Carolina A&T

Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State has turned down an offer to be the next football coach at N.C. A&T.

Maynor, who led the Rams to an 8-2 record this past season, had his first interview with A&T officials last week but wasn't offered the job. That all changed on Friday when Rod Broadway, the coach at Grambling State, turned down an offer from A&T.  Maynor was asked back to campus at A&T on Friday afternoon and was offered the job.

"They offered it to me and, after considering it, I had to say no," said Maynor, 42, who is a 1995 graduate of N.C. A&T, where he was an All-MEAC quarterback. "The timing just wasn't right and in the best interest of myself and my family, I couldn't take the job."

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Winston Salem Rams left to ponder what-ifs of season

Durham, N.C. - It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Coach Connell Maynor shed some tears after Winston-Salem State’s season came to an end on Saturday as Shaw rallied to win 31-27.

Maynor, who was in his first season as a head coach, is passionate about winning, as evidenced by the many sprints he does up and down the sidelines in every game trying to get everything he can out of his players. But with the season over and the Rams finishing 8-2, Maynor’s body language said it all a few minutes after the loss that officially eliminated them from the CIAA’s Southern Division race.

While it was a boost to the program to make a turnaround after last season’s 1-10 record, Maynor said he was disappointed because for him, it’s about championships.

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WSSU Rams end season with loss to Shaw Bears

Durham, N.C. - Winston-Salem State’s dream season ended with a Shaw nightmare.

The Bears rallied in the second half to come away with a 31-27 victory on Saturday afternoon in front of around 7,000 at Durham County Stadium. The win sets up a showdown on Saturday with St. Augustine’s with the winner of that game getting a berth into the CIAA Championship Game.

For the 18th-ranked Rams, their season of such high hopes comes to an end as they finish 8-2 and 5-2 in the CIAA. All season long Coach Connell Maynor of the Rams hasn’t made excuses, and he wasn’t about to start. The Rams led the whole way until a costly interception by Kameron Smith late in the game gave the Bears (7-2, 6-0) the final jolt of momentum they would need.

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Attendance: 7,000
Shaw University Platinum Sound Marching Band

Shaw holds keys to CIAA championship

Kienus Boulware doesn’t get too excited too often. As the coordinator of Winston-Salem State’s defense, he has used his steady hand and quiet nature to help make an already talented unit even better.

On Saturday, Boulware will face his old boss, Coach Darrell Asberry of Shaw. Boulware spent the previous four seasons as Shaw’s defensive coordinator, and his players sense something different this week. “When you are playing a school you used to coach, there’s a different feeling,” defensive lineman Juan Corders of WSSU said. “Of course Coach Boulware wants us to be successful on Saturday.”



Stakes sky high for WSSU, Shaw

Coach Darrell Asberry of Shaw is well aware of what his team will have at stake the next two Saturdays. First, his Bears will take on the 18th-ranked Winston-Salem State Rams at 1 p.m. Saturday at Durham County Stadium. The next weekend, on Nov. 6, they will play No. 23 St. Augustine’s.

“When you get down to this point in the season, they are all big,” said Asberry, who is in his fifth season. With Shaw (6-2, 5-0 CIAA), WSSU (8-1, 5-1) and St. Aug’s (7-1, 5-0) all chasing the CIAA’s Southern Division title, there’s late-season drama, but Asberry said that’s not a bad thing.

Maynor: Playoffs begin now for Rams

Coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State has done a good job keeping his players from worrying about whether one game is more important than another. He doesn’t have that luxury this week. The 18th-ranked Rams (8-1, 5-1 CIAA) will play the Shaw Bears (6-2, 5-0) in their regular-season finale Saturday. For WSSU, it might as well be a championship game.

“It doesn’t get any bigger,” Maynor said. “We have to win it.”

The game will help settle who wins the CIAA’s Southern Division title. A loss most likely would end the season for the Rams, eliminating them from the Southern Division race and a shot at the Division II playoffs.

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WSSU: A Little Big Man

Tehvyn Brantley of Winston-Salem State is short for a college wide receiver, and he carries a big chip on his shoulder. Brantley, a 5-7, 175-pound freshman, says he could have played at a Division I school, possibly using his outstanding speed as a kick returner, but that the conditions weren’t what he wanted. Instead, he’s making an impact for WSSU.

“I had offers from N.C. State, North Carolina and South Carolina,” said Brantley, who is originally from Brooklyn, N.Y., and moved to Durham with his mother three years ago to attend Mount Zion Christian Academy. “I had a couple of offers from mid-majors, and North Carolina was actually going to give me a chance if I went to Hargrave Military, but I didn’t want to do that.”

Fans can ride around the Bowman Gray track

Motorcycle enthusiasts will get a chance to ride around the Bowman Gray Stadium track Saturday during pregame festivities for Winston-Salem State’s game against Livingstone, and Athletics Director Bill Hayes, an avid rider, will lead a parade of motorcycles.

The ride will be at 4 p.m., and kickoff will be at 6 p.m. The cost to ride in the parade is $35, including a ticket to the game, and there will also be a special motorcycle tailgate spot. Money raised from the ride will go to the athletics department. Anyone interested in more information can contact Trent Rawley (rawleyjt@wssu.edu or call 309-4249).

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Saint Augustine's Falcons hands WSSU its first loss of year

Hold off on making those reservations for the CIAA championship game.

Winston-Salem State had been running roughshod over the CIAA this season but ran into a determined and talented St. Augustine’s team last night at Bowman Gray Stadium.

The Falcons (5-1, 4-0 CIAA) took control of the Southern Division with a 40-35 victory, and gained the inside track to the conference-championship game next month in Durham. Most of the damage the 17th-ranked Rams did was self-inflicted, with a season-high six turnovers. Quarterback Kameron Smith threw five interceptions, and the Falcons took the gifts and unwrapped them as if it was Christmas morning.

Falcons soar past Rams

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- St. Augustine's pulled off one of its biggest wins since restarting football in 2002 with a 40-35 victory over nationally-ranked and previously unbeaten Winston-Salem State on Saturday.

CIAA rushing leader Walter Sanders ran for 121 yards and scored two touchdowns and the Falcons (5-1 overall, 4-0 CIAA) forced six turnovers to gain first place in the CIAA's Southern Division. The win was also the first in five tries against the Rams (6-1, 4-1) since 2002. The Rams are ranked 17th in NCAA Division II.

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No.1 status gives Rams coach key motivation

Winston-Salem State basketball is generating buzz with its return to Division II and the CIAA. The Rams (12-17, 7-10 MEAC) are the choice of league coaches to finish first in the South Division after moving down from Division I. On the other hand, coach Bobby Collins noted, there's a season yet to play.

"It would be a trap if I didn't know it was a trap, but I know and understand being picked No. 1 makes the target a little bigger," Winston-Salem coach Bobby Collins said at the annual preseason luncheon at the Charlotte Convention Center. "We're going to embrace it."

Kerry happy to have Rams back in CIAA

Commissioner Leon Kerry was all smiles yesterday at the CIAA media basketball roundup at the Charlotte Convention Center. This is the conference’s 99th year, and Kerry said that having Winston-Salem State and Lincoln (Pa.) back in the league is a big deal. Lincoln was one of the original conference members.

“We’re excited about Winston being back in the league,” Kerry said. “I’m looking for them to bring us the same things they did before they left, and that’s sell tickets and bring fans.” Kerry said he wasn’t surprised that the Rams were picked to win their division in men’s basketball.

Rams expected to win their division

CHARLOTTE, N.C. --The CIAA welcomed back Winston-Salem State in basketball yesterday, and coaches immediately put a big target on the Rams by picking them as favorites to win the Southern Division title.

Coach Bobby Collins, whose Rams spent four seasons playing a full MEAC schedule as the university tried to move to Division I, said he’s flattered that opposing coaches thought that much of his senior-dominated team, but he knows he won’t have an easy run.

WSSU focuses on higher goals

Winston-Salem State is the CIAA’s only unbeaten team, but it’ll take more to impress coach Connell Maynor.

The Rams, who are 6-0 in their return to Division II, have rumbled through the schedule, which includes wins at Division I rivals N.C. A&T State and N.C. Central. Those victories are good for bragging rights, but Maynor, who is in his first year as head coach, wants more.

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WSSU rivals point to scholarships

Coach Connell Maynor: “That’s what losers do, they complain,” Maynor said. “They make excuses, and we don’t make excuses — we take what we have and we keep going.”

Winston-Salem State has made quite an impact in its first football season back in the CIAA — compiling records of 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the league. Some opposing coaches say that some of that success can be tied to scholarship numbers.

Last season, in what was supposed to be the final year of transition to Division I, WSSU had 51 scholarship players and was on target to reach the Football Championship Subdivision limit of 63 this season. But school officials decided to change course, stopping the move and keeping WSSU in Division II.

Rams Break Into Top 20 In AFCA Poll; Debut In D2Football.com Poll

Winston-Salem, NC - The Winston-Salem State Rams (6-0, 4-0 CIAA) continued their move up the NCAA Division II polls as the team moved into 17th-place in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll and make their debut in the D2Football.com top 25 in the 22nd slot.

After earning their first top 25 ranking since 2002 last week, the Rams followed up their effort with a 49-3 win at Johnson C. Smith. The effort boosted the Rams into the top 20 of the AFCA poll as the team earned a 17th-place ranking.

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Winston Salem State Coming Together Fast

Coming together fast

It’s not easy to form a cohesive offensive line in a short amount of time, but Winston-Salem State did. That’s one reason WSSU is 5-0 and ranked in the AFCA Division II (No. 23) poll for the first time in eight years. The Rams started the preseason with plenty of question marks, and the offensive line was among the biggest.

I’m not surprised, because from the first week of camp, we’ve been pretty together,” said Winston Hill, a freshman offensive lineman from Brooklyn, N.Y. Hill (6-3, 305) came in from Hargrave Military Academy, enrolled at WSSU last winter and impressed coaches in spring practice. He has been a starter ever since.


Rams in good shape, injury-wise

One thing that has helped the Rams to a 5-0 record is the lack of any serious injuries. But linebacker Carlos Fields sprained an ankle in the first half of Saturday’s 31-14 win over Fayetteville State and didn’t play in the second half.

Trainer Rob Woodall said that Fields is questionable for Saturday’s game at Johnson C. Smith. “He didn’t practice (on Monday) because we were indoors so we’ll see later in the week how it feels,” Woodall said.

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Finally, Winston Salem State Rams Receives National Ranking

After a four-year run in Football Championship Subdivision, Winston-Salem State (N.C.) is back in Division II and makes an appearance in the AFCA Division II Coaches’ Top 25 Poll for the first time since 2002. The Rams moved their record to 5-0 after a 31-14 victory over Fayetteville State (N.C.) and enter the poll at No. 23.

Grand Valley State (Mich.), Minnesota-Duluth, North Alabama, California (Pa.) and Abilene Christian (Texas) still hold down the Top 5 places. There will be three Top 25 matchups in this week’s games, including a pair of Top 10 games. No. 5 Abilene Christian (Texas) will travel south to face conference rival, No. 6 Texas A&M-Kingsville, while No. 7 Northwest Missouri State plays host to No. 8 Missouri Western State. In the final Top 25 matchup, No. 15 West Alabama will travel to No. 19 Delta State (Miss.) in a Thursday night showdown in the Gulf South Conference.

From the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference -- Albany State, Morehouse and Tuskegee are ranked at #14, #18 and #22.

2010 American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches’ Poll
September 27, 2010

Rank	School (1st votes)	Rec.	Pts.	Prev.	Last Week	Next Game
1.	Grand Valley St. (Mich.) (21)	4-0	644	1	D. Findlay (Ohio) 35-7	Oct. 2 at Tiffin (Ohio)
2.	Minnesota-Duluth (2)	4-0	620	2	D. Bemidji St. (Minn.), 44-21	Oct. 2 at Minnesota St.-Moorhead
3.	North Alabama (3)	4-0	604	3	D. Lambuth (Tenn.), 31-0	Oct. 2 vs. Arkansas Tech
4.	California (Pa.)	4-0	556	4	D. Clarion (Pa.), 24-9	Oct. 2 vs. Lock Haven (Pa.)
5.	Abilene Christian (Texas)	4-0	551	5	D. Tarleton St. (Texas), 65-3	Oct. 2 at No. 6 Texas A&M-Kingsville
6.	Texas A&M-Kingsville	4-0	520	6	D. Incarnate Word (Texas), 37-9	Oct. 2 vs. No. 5 Abilene Christian (Texas)
7.	Northwest Missouri St.	2-1	497	7	D. Truman St. (Mo.), 44-10	Oct. 2 vs. No. 8 Missouri Western St.
8.	Missouri Western St.	4-0	445	8	D. Pittsburg St. (Kan.), 42-25	Oct. 2 at No. 7 Northwest Missouri St.
9.	West Texas A&M	3-1	431	9	D. Angelo St. (Texas), 37-27	Oct. 2 at Northeastern St. (Okla.)
10.	Midwestern St. (Texas)	4-0	409	10	D. Central Oklahoma, 30-24	Oct. 2 vs. Incarnate Word (Texas)
11.	Hillsdale (Mich.)	3-1	359	12	D. Lake Erie (Ohio), 42-37	Oct. 2 vs. Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.)
12.	Edinboro (Pa.)	4-0	329	13	D. Gannon (Pa.), 13-0	Oct. 2 vs. Indiana (Pa.)
13.	Tusculum (Tenn.)	4-0	324	15	Idle	Oct. 2 at Mars Hill (N.C.)
14.	Albany St. (Ga.)	4-0	301	16	D. Savannah St. (Ga.), 28-14	Oct. 2 vs. Lane (Tenn.)
15.	West Alabama	3-1	260	17	D. West Georgia, 28-7	Sept. 30 at No. 19 Delta St. (Miss.)
16.	Central Missouri	4-1	236	21	D. Washburn (Kan.), 55-45	Oct. 2 at Truman St. (Mo.)
17.	Nebraska-Kearney	3-1	198	19	D. Western St. (Colo.), 13-6	Oct. 2 vs. Adams St. (Colo.)
18.	Morehouse (Ga.)	5-0	186	20	D. Lincoln (Mo.), 30-14	Oct. 9 vs. No. 22 Tuskegee (Ala.)
19.	Delta St. (Miss.)	3-1	165	23	D. Henderson St. (Ark.), 41-37	Sept. 30 vs. No. 15 West Alabama
20.	Augustana (S.D.)	4-0	134	24	D. Southwest Minnesota St., 53-21	Oct. 2 at Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.)
21.	Central Washington	3-2	111	22	D. Simon Fraser (B.C.) 44-30	Oct. 2 at Humboldt St. (Calif.)
22.	Tuskegee (Ala.)	3-1	103	25	D. Texas Southern, 21-14	Oct. 2 vs. Miles (Ala.)
23.	Winston-Salem St. (N.C.)	5-0	87	NR	D. Fayetteville St. (N.C.), 31-14	Oct. 2 at Johnson C. Smith (N.C.)
24.	North Carolina-Pembroke	3-1	78	NR	D. No. 14 Carson-Newman (Tenn.), 30-7	Oct. 2 at Glenville St. (W.Va.)
25.	Minnesota St.-Mankato	3-1	75	11	Lost to Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.), 28-26	Oct. 2 at Winona St. (Minn.)

Courtesy: AFCA

WSSU Rams whip FSU Broncos to improve to 5-0

Fayetteville, N.C. -- There’s a new sheriff in the CIAA.

That much was evident on Saturday night when Winston-Salem State had its way with Fayetteville State, the defending conference champions, by rolling to a 31-14 win at Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium.

With more than half of the 4,000-plus fans dressed in Rams’ red, the Rams remained unbeaten at 5-0 and 3-0 in the conference and will likely crack the top 25 Division II coaches’ poll this week. “That was the whole plan - this was a statement game,” said wide receiver Dominique Fitzgerald of the Rams, who caught a touchdown pass and threw a 28-yard touchdown pass off a wide receiver flea-flicker. “They were the defending champs and to become the champs we had to knock off No. 1.”

Winston-Salem State tops Fayetteville State, 31-14

Winston-Salem State wide receiver Dominique Fitzgerald knew Saturday night's game at Fayetteville State would be a test plus a learning experience all rolled into one. As the Rams continue transitioning back into Division II, returning to the CIAA for the first time since 2005, Fitzgerald admitted he wasn't quite sure what to make of his team's 4-0 start, eager to gauge the program's progress with a showdown against the defending conference champ.

"We really don't know what to expect from most teams because a lot of us have never played them before," Fitzgerald said. "So with everything so far, it's like we're guessing."

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Winston Salem State Rams will have experienced team for 2010-'11

Rivals N.C. Central, N.C. A&T not on this season's schedule

Bobby Collins, the men’s basketball coach at Winston-Salem State, found it tough to schedule nonconference opponents for the coming season, but there’s a reason.

The Rams will have a front line that measures 6-10, 6-11 and 6-8 and most likely will also have five senior starters. Not many Division II programs can match the height.

“It was very tough finding games, and we didn’t have many choices,” said Collins, whose team will play a full Division II schedule after four seasons of playing mostly Division I opponents. “We tried to get some Division I programs to play us, but it just didn’t work out.”

HOMECOMING: Rams will have extra motivation

Winston-Salem State will play a key CIAA game at Fayetteville State on Saturday, and three WSSU coaches will focus on what lies ahead, not their pasts.

Coach Connell Maynor of WSSU, assistant head coach John Eder and assistant Duane Taylor will be returning to Luther “Nick” Geralds Stadium, where they helped build Fayetteville State into one of the CIAA’s best programs.

Taylor will be making his first trip back since graduating in 2005 after starring at quarterback, leading the Broncos to CIAA titles in 2002 and 2003 and setting more than 25 school records.

Rams Dismantle Hawks; Winston-Salem State Defeats Chowan 48-7

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Nothing went right for the Hawks of Chowan University on Saturday evening at Bowman Gray Stadium as the Rams of Winston-Salem State rolled up 499 yards of total offense and put 48 points on the scoreboard to defeat Chowan 48-7 at Bowman Gray Stadium as WSSU improved to 4-0 in 2010.

The Hawks started the game with a five-yard delay of game penalty before the opening kickoff and it would only get worse for visiting Chowan as WSSU would need less than five minutes to jump out to a 14-0 advantage.

Tehvyn Brantley got the Rams on the board only 1:09 into the contest as he reeled in a 35-yard touchdown pass from Kameron Smith to give WSSU a 7-0 lead as the true freshman wide receiver scored his fourth touchdown of the year.

Rams rout hapless Hawks

Winston-Salem State made it look easy against undersized and overmatched Chowan last night at Bowman Gray Stadium.

The Rams rolled to a 48-7 win to remain unbeaten. The Rams (4-0, 2-0 CIAA) rolled up 499 yards of offense on their way to their most lopsided victory of the season. It was also their widest winning margin since a 47-0 victory over N.C. Central in 2003.

Running back Nic Cooper did much of the damage, with 11 carries for 149 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. The offensive line established itself early and Cooper took advantage with his best run, a 74-yard touchdown burst right up the middle in the second half.

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WSSU Rams improve to 3-0 with win over NCCU Eagles

DURHAM, N.C. - In a game of big plays, Rashaun Jones made the biggest for Winston-Salem State. Jones had a big interception with 1:59 left to help the Rams win 34-27 over the N.C. Central Eagles last night at sold-out (9,711) O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

With the game tied at 27 and the Eagles driving quarterback Michael Johnson tried to hit Geovonie Irvine on a fly pattern but Jones made a leaping interception in the end zone for the Rams first interception of the season. Not content with that, the Rams then went 80 yards for the game winning touchdown when Tehyvn Brantley caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kameron Smith with 1:34 left.

"Coach just told us to stay calm and focused because we'd have to win it on the back end," said Jones, who transferred to WSSU from Miami last spring. "I'm just glad I could help the team win the game."

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WSSU ready for rivalry game against NC A&T

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — With just 33 miles separating Winston-Salem State from North Carolina A&T, the two HBCU schools have had a long-standing rivalry for 49 years. To win the fifth annual I-40 Showdown has implications reaching further than just a "W." in the record books. Fifth-year senior linebacker, Juan Corders said that it is all about the bragging rights which brings the entire community into this rivalry.

"Bragging rights... bragging rights living a whole year to the next game. That's what the whole community loves: the rivalry; that's all they remember is the rivalry," said Corders. Winston-Salem State Head Coach Connell Maynor knows all too well about the rivalry. In 1987 as the starting quarterback for the Rams, he won a CIAA championship.




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