WSSU: It's hard to wipe the smile off Hayes' face these days

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina - It’s hard to catch up with Bill Hayes these days. Even at age 68 Hayes, the athletics director at WSSU, doesn’t stay in places too long so you better move fast if you want to talk to him.

One thing for sure is when you see Hayes chances are there is a smile on his face. I caught up with Hayes just outside his office this afternoon during Connell Maynor’s weekly press conference at the Bowman Gray Stadium field house.

Hayes, as you could imagine, is relishing what the Rams are doing in football (13-0) and basketball (5-0). In fact WSSU might be the only athletics program in the country in all divisions that still has an unbeaten football and basketball team.



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Maynor: Playoff system the only way to go

Winston Salem State University will play Wayne State (MI) on Saturday in the semifinals at Bowman Gray Stadium at 2 p.m. TV: ESPN

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina - Coach Connell Maynor of WSSU, who is in his second season as a head coach, says there's nothing like the excitement of a playoff to decide the national championship.

"I use this as an example," Maynor said. "A few years ago, the Indianapolis Colts had records of 15-1, 14-2 and 13-3, and were the No. 1 seed in the AFC, but not once did they play in the Super Bowl. None of the years they made it because they had to play to get there.

"The BCS is a bunch of bull jive. It's somebody's opinion who the best two teams are. We were picked to lose the last five weeks and we won because you decide it on the field."

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Winston-Salem State Advances To NCAA DII Semifinals

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State University got two long touchdown passes from quarterback Kameron Smith to wide receiver Jameze Massey, while running back Nicholas Cooper, rushed for 132 yards and one score and the Rams' defense stymied the New Haven Charger offense enroute to a 27-7 win in the NCAA DII Quarterfinals at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC.

Winston-Salem State moves to 13-0, and under second-year head coach Connell Maynor, now advance to the national semifinals where they will host Wayne State University with a trip to the NCAA Div. II championship game on Dec. 17 in Florence, Alabama on the line.

Offensively for WSSU, Nicholas Cooper rushed for 138 yards on just 14 carries and one touchdown, while Kameron Smith passed for 274 yards and touchdowns with one interception.

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NCAA Division II Football Championship: Winston-Salem State advances to national semifinals with 27-7 win over New Haven

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina - Undefeated CIAA champion Winston-Salem State kept its unprecedented run at an NCAA Div. II national championship and undefeated season alive using a prolific offense and quick, stingy defense in knocking off New Haven 27-7 in a national quarterfinal game played at Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem Saturday afternoon.

WSSU (13-0) got two long touchdown receptions from quarterback Kameron Smith (19-26-1, 274 yards) to wideout Jameze Massey, running back Nicholas Cooper rambled for 132 yards and one TD and the Rams' defense stymied a New Haven offense that came in averaging 43.0 points, getting three interceptions and a fumble and holding the Chargers (11-2) to just one first-quarter score.



The Rams, under second-year head coach Connell Maynor, now advance to the national semifinals where they will host Wayne State, a 31-25 winner over Minnesota-Duluth in another quarterfinal game. The Rams, who got theirs and the CIAA’s first NCAA playoff win since 1993 in a second round win over California (Pa.), now becomes the first CIAA team to ever advance to the national semifinals. Among HBCU’s, Central State in 1986 under head coach Billy Joe was the last team to make the national semis.

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New Haven Charger Football Suffers Loss in NCAA Quarterfinals, 27-7

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The University of New Haven football team, nationally ranked No. 5/11 fell, 27-7 to No. 3/4 Winston-Salem State University Saturday afternoon in the NCAA Division II Football Championship Quarterfinal Round in North Carolina. With the loss, the Chargers conclude their 2011 season with an 11-2 overall record. The Rams improved to 13-0 overall and advance to the semifinals to take on the winner of Wayne State (Mich.) and Minnesota Duluth.

The Chargers' offense struggled to get started all day. Quarterback Ryan Osiecki (Seymour, Conn./Seymour / Univ. of Louisville) led the squad with 209 yards on 16-of-32 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions. Running back Mike DeCaro (Weston, Fla./Cypress Bay ) added 74 yards on 15 carries, while Anthony Tillman (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) added 40 yards on six carries.

The Chargers won the opening toss and took the ball right out of the gate. After one first down conversion, the Chargers were forced to punt and the Rams took over at their own 31-yard line. WSSU then took the ball 69-yards and capped a nine-play drive with a 48-yard touchdown pass. After a failed extra point, the Chargers trailed 6-0 early in the first half.

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2011 NCAA Championship: Rams' kicking game will be needed

LIVE VIDEO STREAMING OF GAME@ WSSURAM.com or at:  http://livestre.am/oyWw

HELP US FINISH THE DEAL!  GO RAMS!!!

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina - There hasn't been much need for Winston-Salem State to worry about its kicking game, with all the lopsided victories it had during the regular season.

But now that the Rams are in the Division II playoffs, a good kicking game could mean the difference between winning and losing.

"Without a doubt, the kicking game is magnified in the playoffs," said place-kicker Landen Thayer, who missed two field-goal attempts in last week's 35-28 victory against California (Pa.).

Thayer, a junior, said he had never missed two attempts in one game in ...

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BILL HAYES' GAME BITS #2

BILL HAYES GAME BITS #2 - (Bill Hayes is a veteran and legend in football coaching circles, as well as being a renowned AD. He has put together these tidbits to inform our fans of some of the behind-the-scenes things that go into putting on a NCAA Playoff Game)
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University of New Haven
HEAD COACH – Peter Rossomando is 24-8 in three seasons
a. Nick name – Chargers
b. Colors – Blue and Gold
c. Dellacamera Stadium has blue and gold synthetic turf
d. Staduim capacity of 3,500
e. Defeated #5 Kutztown to advance to this weekend's NCAA Quarterfinals

New Haven Football History
a. First year of football - 1973
b. All time record - 184-137-5
c. NE10 Conference Championships - 2 – 2010, 2011
d. Playoff appearances - 5
e. NCAA's Division II record - 7-4
f. Last playoff appearance - 2010
g. Official name is – University of New Haven
h. University of New Haven was founded in 1920
i. University is located in West Haven, Connecticut.
j. Enrollment of 6,000 students
k. Last regular season 2011 poll rankings: AFCA: 5th, D2Football.com: 11th
j. Miami Dolphins head coach, Tony Sparano, is a New Haven graduate, and has the strength & conditioning center named in his honor.
K. Primary offensive goal: Throw it!
New Haven has passed for over 3,465 yards and 39 touchdowns, although they have rushed for 1,693 yards and 25 touchdowns

GAME TIDBITS…
1. Types of footballs – WSSU normally plays with the Spalding footballs; however, the NCAA requires that we use Wilson Footballs.
2. We will practice with three different Wilson's balls and select the best fit early next week.
3. Officials will be assigned by the Division II Conference Office selected by the Division II Football
 Committee. Officials assigned have not officiated for either school.
4. WSSU is the home team and must wear dark uniforms.
5. Both football programs must exchange at least two previous game tapes.
6. In person game scouting is not permissible
7. Each institution's band may perform at half-time for six (6) minutes. If the opposing band does not attend, WSSU's band may perform for 12 minutes.
8. WSSU's athletics must make press box arrangements and field telephones and space for coaches and duplicating machines.
9. Medical services and assistance is provided by the home team.
10. NCAA's handbook states "no complimentary tickets will be issued."
11. Public address announcer and team introduction must be neutral.
12. Squad size is 54 players maximum and total party of 70 individuals including coaches, trainers and equipment personnel.
13. The tie-breaker procedure will be used in case of a tie game
14. Bands cannot play once the 25/40 second clock starts.
15. No artificial noise makers allowed – (thunder sticks, bells, horns)
16. The team area is from the 25 yard line to the opposite 25 year line.
17. NCAA's pre-game meeting will be held at the Field House Friday Evening
18. Host institutions or sponsoring agencies are encouraged to extend the utmost courtesy to the competing teams.
19. If space heaters or cooling fans are provided, both teams must have the same.
20. Home team must assist the visitors with a kicking net if needed.

TICKETS
•Ticket prices are $15 for general admission and $10 for WSSU students with proper ID (also will honor students from other area colleges and high school with ID). Parking prices will remain the same as in the regular season, $12 for the South Lot (Reserved – no season ticket or game ticket required) and $10 for the East and West Lots.
•Parking lots and tailgating open at 9:00 am at Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday, while the gates will open at 11:00 am

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Postseason drive filling WSSU bandwagon

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina -- Everybody loves a winner. So it's no surprise that Winston-Salem State's 12-0 football team has received extra love and attention.

"I was in the store the other day, and I was wearing a Winston-Salem State sweatshirt, and three people told me 'Go Rams,' " said punter Landen Thayer, who is from Clemmons and played at West Forsyth High School. "That's pretty cool when you hear stuff like that."

No. 3-ranked WSSU, which defeated California (Pa.) 35-28 in last week's second round of the Division II playoffs, will be at home again Saturday, against No. 5 New Haven in the quarterfinals. Kickoff is set for noon.  Even though WSSU's first playoff game came over Thanksgiving weekend, it drew a crowd of nearly 8,000 — the third largest crowd of the season at Bowman Gray Stadium.

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VISIT: WINSTON SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: WSSURAMS

WSSU Rams try to buck CIAA playoff history

Winston Salem, North Carolina -- CIAA teams have had limited success in the Division II football playoffs, but Winston-Salem State hopes to be the exception.  WSSU (11-0) will try to take its first step in that direction Saturday, when it plays California (Pa.) in a second-round game at 1 p.m. at Bowman Gray Stadium.

The CIAA started the postseason with a playoff record of 2-27 since 1978, then fell to 2-28 last weekend when California pounded Elizabeth City State 44-0.  Coach Connell Maynor said the CIAA's playoff history doesn't bother him.

"I think our guys are ready, and this is what we set out to do," he said. "We got our first goal out of the way, and that was to win the CIAA championship. The guys really believe that we can win four more football games."




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Time off has not dulled WSSU's intensity

Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Third-ranked Winston-Salem State enjoyed some much-needed down time with a bye in the first round of the Division II football playoffs.

But coach Connell Maynor said Wednesday, while having lunch with his team in the school cafeteria, that the break doesn't mean the Rams have lost momentum. WSSU will be back in action Saturday, when it plays California (Pa.) in a second-round game at 1 p.m. at Bowman Gray Stadium.

"I really don't think we've lost that momentum from winning the CIAA," Maynor said. "We've got a good, solid football team that understands our goals and what we are trying to do. They understand that the off week was about staying in shape but getting healthy and concentrating on your books."

The Rams (11-0) are in unfamiliar territory ...

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WSSU Ram Ramblings: That Division I thing is a distant memory

DURHAM, North Carolina – I didn’t hear any complaints from Winston-Salem State fans about that failed move to Division I. From the looks of how much fun approximately 8,000 Rams’ fan were having at the CIAA championship game on Saturday Division I was probably the furthest thing from their minds.

The Rams, who are two years into their transition back to Division II, won the school’s ninth CIAA title by dispatching Elizabeth City State 38-18 in front of around 10,000 fans. WSSU fans were all over the place, including about 200 who watched from a hill outside of the stadium. (It was cheaper to watch from there.)

There was plenty of controversy in September of 2009 when chancellor Donald Reaves and the board of trustees pulled the plug on the move to Division I and the MEAC for financial reasons.

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Elizabeth City State Marching Band and the Winston-Salem State University Marching Band "Red Sea of Sound" performs at halftime of the 2011 CIAA Football Championship game on November 12, 2011.

WSSU's Maynor named CIAA's top coach

Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem raised some eyebrows when he said what was on his mind in July. He proclaimed that his Rams would finish the season undefeated, win the CIAA title and contend for the Division II national champion.

He's right on one count so far — the Rams went 10-0 in the regular season, an accomplishment that won Maynor the CIAA's coach-of-the-year award in voting by his peers. The announcement was made Friday afternoon at a banquet in Durham. Maynor can take care of the CIAA title today, if WSSU defeats Elizabeth City State.

Bill Hayes, WSSU's athletics director, said the thing that impresses him the most about Maynor — who is 18-2 in two seasons leading the Rams — has nothing to do with football.  "I didn't know he was as committed to his religion and what he believes and his trust in God," Hayes said. "I didn't know that about him, but it's real to him, and he practices what he preaches. A lot of people preach it but don't practice, but he's not that way."

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Winston-Salem State Rams Crack AFCA Top 5

Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State football players, Markus Lawrence, Jr., Kameron Smith and head coach, Connell Maynor all have been tabbed as CIAA Offensive Lineman, Quarterback and Coach of the Week respectively for their efforts versus UNC-Pembroke on Saturday afternoon in Pembroke, NC.

Markus Lawrence, Jr (6-4, 290, Jr, Charlotte, NC/Harding University HS) helped lead the Winston-Salem State offense to 435 yards of total offense and a punishing 278 rushing yards. This is the second times Lawrence, Jr has earned CIAA Offensive Lineman of the Week.

Kameron Smith (5-11, 180, R-Jr, Garner, NC/Garner Magnet HS) had a solid afternoon in leading the WSSU offense. Smith rushed 11 times for 23 yards, and finished 20 of 27 passing for 157 yards and three touchdowns in Winston-Salem State's 35-7 win over UNC-Pembroke. He connected with a season high 12 different receivers in the game.

Connell Maynor the #4 ranked Winston-Salem State Rams to a 35-7 win over UNC-Pembroke; capping off a 10-0 undefeated regular season. This is the Winston-Salem State University Rams’ first unbeaten regular season since 1978, when the head coach and current athletic director, William "Bill" Hayes led the Rams to the CIAA Crown.

Winston-Salem State will face off with CIAA Northern Division Champion, the Elizabeth City State University Vikings, Saturday, November 12th, in Durham, NC in the 2011 CIAA Football Championship Game. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The game will be televised "live" on Bounce TV.

2011 American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches’ Poll – November 7, 2011

1.            Delta St. (Miss.) (27)	9-1
2.            Colorado St.-Pueblo	10-0
3.            Midwestern St. (Texas) (1)	9-0
4.            Winston-Salem St. (N.C.) (1)	10-0
5.            Nebraska-Kearney	9-1
6.            Washburn (Kan.)	9-1
7.            New Haven (Conn.)	9-1
8.            Kutztown (Pa.)	9-1
9.            Pittsburg St. (Kan.)	8-1
10.          Minnesota-Duluth	8-2
11.          Northwest Missouri St.	8-2
12.          Abilene Christian (Texas)	7-2
13.          North Alabama	7-2
14.          Humboldt St. (Calif.)	8-1
15.          St. Cloud State (Minn.)	8-2
16.          Albany St. (Ga.)	8-2
17.          Missouri Western St.	8-2
18.          California (Pa.)	8-2
19.          West Virginia Wesleyan	9-1
20.          Colorado School of Mines	8-2
21.          Bloomsburg (Pa.)	8-2
22.          Wayne St. (Mich.)	8-2
23.          Mars Hill (N.C.)	7-2
24.          Slippery Rock (Pa.)	8-2
25.          Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.)	7-2

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Courtesy Winston Salem State Athletics

Ram Ramblings: WSSU's next task is CIAA title game

Connell Maynor

Pembroke, North Carolina -- I talked to coach Connell Maynor earlier today while driving back and I was wondering if his team gets a reward for finishing 10-0 in the regular season. Maynor didn’t hesitate and said no in so many words, echoing what he said after Saturday’s 34-7 win over UNC Pembroke. “We haven’t done anything yet,” Maynor said this morning.

Even though the Rams had just their third unbeaten season in school history they were back practicing on Sunday afternoon. Maynor and the coaches keep the practice short on Sundays and it’s more about working out the soreness from the game on Saturday night.

And if you think that Maynor will relax his 5 a.m. practice routine you don’t know him very well. “We’ll be going at 5 a.m. three days this week just like always,” Maynor said. One of the benefits of those 5 a.m. practices was how the players felt in the chilly conditions on Saturday.

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CIAA title game could be a hot ticket

Durham, North Carolina -- The CIAA's football championship game isn't going anywhere. In fact, for it to move from Durham County Stadium, one other thing would have to happen first, said commissioner Leon Kerry. "They are going to have to carry me out of there," Kerry said.

The CIAA played a football championship game from 1970 until 1973 and from 1981 to 1992. The game was resurrected in 2000, and it has turned into a money maker for the conference, Kerry said. Winston-Salem State will play Elizabeth City State at 1 p.m. Saturday in this season's title game in Durham, and Kerry is thrilled with the match-up.

"I think it's clear that the two best teams in the conference are there," he said. "And they are both ranked in the region, so that says a lot that both of them are playing for the title."

Kerry also is excited about the prospect of a sellout, and said he wouldn't be surprised to see the 12,000-seat stadium full, especially if the weather is nice. WSSU always has had one of the best traveling fan bases in the CIAA, and Elizabeth City State fans also have a strong reputation for following their teams.

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WSSU is perfect this season by beating UNC Pembroke

Rams are 10-0 with CIAA title game coming up on Saturday

PEMBROKE, North Carolina – After seeing every one of WSSU’s games this season I saw something different earlier this afternoon in the 34-7 win over UNC Pembroke.

For the first time this season the Rams let the clock be their friend and kept chipping away at the Braves’ defense. The results were staggering especially when the Rams had a season-best 18-play drive that chewed up nearly eight minutes in the second quarter.

The Braves weren’t going to allow the Rams to win on big plays, so the Rams didn’t have any big plays. Just a lot of little plays that worked and with it the Rams completed a perfect regular season. At 10-0 the Rams have assured themselves a spot in the playoffs even if they lose to Elizabeth City State on Saturday in the CIAA championship game.

What was impressive in this game was how effective the Rams were in running the ball and mixing in short passes. Quarterback Kameron Smith and the rest of the offense never had a turnover and just a few penalties.

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Maynor says Rams have caught some breaks

Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State said that a lot has gone right for his Rams this season and that's why they are 9-0 heading into Saturday's game at UNC Pembroke.

"I think the biggest thing is we've been pretty injury free with no serious injuries," Maynor said. "And we are taking care of the football. Our turnover ratio is plus-10, and any time you win the turnover battle, you've got a great, great chance of winning. "We think that if we don't turn the ball over, we can win every football game that we play."

Smith excelling at QB

Quarterback Kameron Smith, 15-2 in two seasons as Winston-Salem State's starter, said he has come a long way from his days at Navy. He transferred to WSSU before the 2010 season because he wanted an opportunity to play quarterback.

"I was on the scout team as a quarterback there, but I wasn't able to show what I could do," said Smith, who ranks sixth in WSSU history with more than 3,300 passing yards.

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Maynor, WSSU Rams have sights set high

Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Coach Connell Maynor approaches a familiar football intersection driving a John Deere utility vehicle that resembles a golf cart as it climbs the rocky hill from the Winston-Salem State practice field to Bowman Gray Stadium.

The green cart, adorned with a tiny Rams decal on the front, matches the recreational tastes of a former quarterback who shoots around par during golfing months.

On October's final Saturday afternoon, though, golf takes a back seat beside bags of workout footballs while Maynor strives to scratch out a win against Shaw. The Rams, 8-0 and No. 9 in the NCAA Division II coaches' poll, look perfectly situated, having clinched a spot in the CIAA title game.



Despite routing the field by an average score of 48-16 thus far, the Rams could still blow their NCAA ride. Cruise control remains a dangerous illusion, which WSSU discovered last season when St. Augustine's and Shaw derailed the roaring red revivalists. Shaw intercepted a disastrous screen pass and converted a short touchdown drive for the second defeat.

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WSSU Notebook: Team returns to full strength for Shaw

Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State will be at full strength for the first time in weeks when it plays Shaw on Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Several players who have been held out of recent games with injuries will be available, coach Connell Maynor said. Included in that group are wide receivers Jamal Williams and Patrick Terry, defensive lineman Barry Tripp and linebacker Khendra Reid.

“We are pretty healthy, and I don’t think we’ll have to hold anybody out…,” Maynor said. “We’ve got guys with bumps and bruises, but that’s expected at this point in the season.”

Maynor said that trainers Rob Woodall and Ian Mushinski have done excellent work keeping the Rams healthy.

“They both know that we want guys back to near 100 percent because we’ve got enough depth,” Maynor said. “And the players understand we want them healthy, because it’s a long season.”

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Rams can't afford to overlook Bears

Winston-Salem State, coming off lopsided wins against Livingstone and Edward Waters, will try to remain unbeaten Saturday when it plays Shaw, last season's CIAA champion. The ninth-ranked Rams (8-0) have been steamrolling CIAA opponents and already have clinched a berth in the CIAA championship game, but Saturday's home game is important for many reasons.

To continue their drive to the Division II playoffs, the Rams must keep winning. Shaw, 2-6 and out of contention, could be viewing this as its championship game this season. Kickoff is set for 1:30 at Bowman Gray Stadium.

"It's going to be four quarters of pure football," coach Connell Maynor of WSSU said. "They are the defending champions, and there is no quit in the Shaw players because they've proven it over the years."

The Bears have won four of the last seven CIAA titles, and Maynor said they're better than their record. "The coaching staff over there didn't just wake up and forget how to coach," Maynor said.

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Hayes: WSSU fans need to step up

Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Athletics director Bill Hayes of Winston-Salem State couldn't help but show his displeasure with the home crowd at Saturday's 59-7 win over Edward Waters. There were around 4,500 fans at Bowman Gray Stadium on a perfect afternoon for football, but Hayes wants and needs more.

"I'm trying to get folks in those seats; and it's funny because when I first got back here, a lot of people said they were going to get behind me and this program," Hayes said. "Now that we're winning they say we know what the result is going to be, so why go? I don't understand that thinking."

Hayes said that WSSU fans are looking too far ahead and are trying to buy tickets for the CIAA championship game on Nov. 12 in Durham against Elizabeth City State. He wants fans to make it a point to help during the regular season as well.

If the 8-0 Rams make it to the Division II playoffs, Hayes is hoping to play a home game but needs to have good attendance figures to show the NCAA.

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WSSU Rams cruise 59-7 over Edward Waters to stay unbeaten

Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State overwhelmed yet another opponent on Saturday. This time it was Edward Waters as the Rams rolled to a 59-7 win in front of about 5,000 at sunny Bowman Gray Stadium.

The Rams, ranked 11th, improved to 8-0 and have a chance to move into the top 10 on the NCAA Division II poll, thanks to an offense that scored seven touchdowns in its first nine series. The Rams are 8-0 for the first time since 1978.

"The guys really came out and were ready to play," coach Connell Maynor of the Rams said. "I thought they were focused and we jumped on them early."

Wide receiver Tehyvn Brantley caught two touchdown passes, Dominique Fitzgerald also caught one, and running back Nic Cooper ran for 120 yards on 19 carries and scored a touchdown. Quarterback Kameron Smith also had a productive day, completing 12 of 20 passes for 196 yards and running the offense with precision.

GALLERY: WSSU vs. Edward Waters




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WSSU prepares to face Edward Waters' option

Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State's defense will see something it hasn't seen all season when Edward Waters visits Bowman Gray Stadium today. It will see an option-type offense, which could present problems.

"They are an option team," coach Connell Maynor of the Rams said of the 2-4 Tigers. "We look forward to the challenge because it's going to be tough facing an option team. It's assignment football, and guys can't guess — so they'll have to know their assignments…."

Kickoff is set for 1:30. The Rams, 7-0 and ranked 11th in the Division II coaches' poll, clinched the CIAA's Southern Division title last week with a 63-7 rout of Livingstone. They'll step outside of conference play for a rare home game.

"This is only our third home game ...



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