MURFREESBORO, North Carolina -- The #14 ranked Winston-Salem State University scored five first quarter touchdowns and rolled up a season high 587 yards, as the Rams totally dispatched the Chowan Hawks, 77-30 on a cold and brisk Saturday night in Murfreesboro, NC.
With the win, WSSU improves to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the CIAA Southern Division, while Chowan falls to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the CIAA Northern Division.
It wouldn't take long for WSSU to strike first, as they would take the opening kickoff and march right down the field in nine plays, covering 48 yards, and a Phillip Sims to Michael Benis five yard pass and score would put the Rams up 7-0.
A little under six minutes later, the Rams struck again. This time Brenden Felder would reach the endzone, with a 13 yard score from the arm of Rudy Johnson. The Rams covered 77 yards in four plays to account for the score.
Chowan would fumble the kickoff return and would be recovered by Parris Baxter for WSSU at the Hawks 16 yard line.
And on the next play from scrimmage, Mustafa Greene would carry it the rest of the way for anther WSSU score to move the Rams out in front 21-0.
After another short series for the Chowan offense, WSSU's Phillip Sims would go back to work, and on just the second play of the series, he would find an open Brenden Felder from 48 yards out to push the Rams to a 28-0 lead.
The first quarter scoring was not over, as Winston-Salem State hit paydirt again with 57 second left in the quarter, as Maurice Lewis would score from one yard out to give the Rams a commanding 35-0 lead.
Chowan would finally get on the board with 7 seconds left in the first, when Ryan Nolan would rush for a 57 yard score to cut the lead to 35-7.
The second quarter would prove no different, as the WSSU offense would keep rolling, as Rudy Johnson would find Eric Williams for a season long 87 yard touchdown pass and catch to give the Rams a 42-7 advantage.
And on the ensuing kickoff, Chowan would fumble and the ball would be picked up and ran in by Bronson Greene to give WSSU a 48-7 lead.
Chowan would respond with two scores of their own before half to cut into the Rams lead. First a safety, after tackling Phil Sims in the endzone, and second, offensive lineman Michael Lugo scooping up a fumble in the endzone for a touchdown.
Halftime did not cool off the jaunted WSSU offense, as a Tyree Massey would cross the goal line with 13:35 in the third, and Alejandro Suarez would connect on a 29 yard field goal, as the Rams moved the lead to 58-16 half way through the quarter.
Mustafa Greene would find the endzone once more with 7:36 left in the third quarter as WSSU's lead ballooned to 65-16.
With 3:53 left in the third, the Chowan Hawks would score on a seven yard pass from Dain McFarland to Kaine Lombard.
Chowan would score one last time early in the fourth quarter, when McFarland would find DaSean Martin for a six yard scoring strike.
WSSU would finish the scoring in the third, when Alejandro Suarez would connect on an 18 yard field goal to give the Rams a 68-23 lead heading into the final quarter.
Winston-Salem State's William Johnson would connect on a 41 yard field goal, and Sidney Lawson would intercept a Hawks pass and return it 50 yards for a touchdown to close out the scoring in the game, with a final score of 77-30.
The 77 points scored are second most in school history. The 1989 Rams coached by Pete Richardson, defeated Johnson C. Smith 80-6, and hold the record for most points scored in a game.
Offensively, Maurice Lewis led the rushing attack 61 yards on 12 carries and one score, while Bronson Greene finished with 53 yards on seven carries. Greene also picked up a score on a fumble return on a kickoff. Justin Johnson rushed four times for 46 yards, Tyree Massey 10 times for 44 yards and a touchdown and Mustafa Greene rushed six times for 41 yards and two touchdowns.
Through the air, Rudy Johnson was a perfect seven for seven for 186 yards and two touchdowns, and Phil Sims was five of nine for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
Brenden Felder led the Rams receiving corps with six catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns, while Eric Williams had two catches for 135 yards and one score. Five other Rams had one catch each.
Defensively, Duvontae Covington led the Rams with seven tackles and ½ tackle for a loss, while Michael Bloomfield finished with six tackles and a tackle for a loss. Amyl Smith and Takehare Donaldson had five tackles each with Smith also picking up a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Terry Ross had four tackles and an interception, and Xavier Gregory had four tackles, ½ tackle for a loss and one pass breakup. Parris Baxter and Bronson Greene also had fumble recoveries, and Sidney Lawson had a 50 yard pick six for a score.
Winston-Salem State University will travel to Charlotte, NC next Saturday to take on the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2:00 pm.
Box Score
COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
GREENSBORO, North Carolina — Speed is the great equalizer. Speed can atone for mistakes and hide flaws. Speed can win games.
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