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WSSU Rams Pick Up First Win With 17-10 Victory Over Elizabeth City State

ROCKY MOUNT, North Carolina – The Winston-Salem State University Rams jumped out to a 10-3 halftime lead, and held off the late charging Elizabeth City State Vikings, to win the 18^th Down East Viking Football classic, 17-10, in Rocky Mount, N.C.

With the win, WSSU picks up their first win of the season and moves to 1-3 overall and 1-0 in the CIAA, while the ECSU Vikings fall to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in the CIAA.

The Rams got an emotional boost in pregame, when their fallen team mate, Marquise Gaddy, addressed the team via facetime on an IPad. His message was simple – "play like it's the last time you ever get on the field, I love you guys!"

With tears streaming down the faces of coaches and players, and the media relations director, the team exploded with emotion from the locker room looking to break the three game losing streak to start the season.

Elizabeth City State however, got on the scoreboard first, when Jeff Flores connected on a 42 yard field goal with 2:40 left in the first quarter, to give the Vikings the early 3-0 lead.

But the WSSU Rams had other plans for the Down East Viking Football Classic, when they would tie the game at 3-3 on a Will Johnson 31 yard field goal with 12:26 on the clock in the second quarter.

Winston-Salem State would reach the end zone before the half, when on third down, Rashad Cooperwould scramble left and find a wide open William Belcher on the left side, who would make one move to the inside, before darting across the goal line for a 40 yards scoring strike to put the Rams up 10-3 heading into the half.

The Winston-Salem State University Rams would increase their lead late in the third quarter, when Rashad Cooper would find Rashan Williams down the left side for another score. Williams would make a brilliant catch, out jumping and then wrestling the ball away from the defender in the air for the touchdown. Will Johnson would convert the PAT to give WSSU a 17-3 advantage.

The Elizabeth City State Vikings would score a rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter pulling them to within a touchdown, 17-10, with 2:32 left to play.

But the failed onside kick, recovered by Marcel Caver, would allow the Rams to virtually run out the clock.

The Rams would punt with 12 seconds remaining, and would tackle the returner as time ticked off the clock, securing the WSSU Rams first win of the season.

Rashad Cooper, getting his first collegiate start, finished the day 10 of 23 with three interceptions for 199 yards and two touchdown passes.

Tyree Massey led the WSSUS Rushing attack with 15 carries for 26 yards, while Xavier Quick finished with seven rushes for 19 yards, and Bronson Greenehad 17 yards on five carries. Rashad Cooper had 10 carries for 10 yards.

Will Johnson had another solid afternoon, going 1 of 2 on field goals, and finishing the day with a 36.8 yards per punt average, on six punts. He also had three touchbacks on four kickoffs.

Defensively, Kailan Chavis led the Rams with seven tackles, four solo, and 0.5 tackle for a loss. Phillip Williamson continued his dominate play, finishing with six solo tackles, four tackles for losses and one sack. James Bullock, Vernon Brandon and Jaitavius Jackson each had four tackles, with Bullock picking up his first interception, Brandon picking up a pass breakup and Jackson picking up 0.5 sack. CJ Washington, Brandon Dixon, Michael Douglas and Jarell Bright each had three tackles, with Bright also picking up a tackles for a loss. Tyron Roberts also had a sack, and Amyl Smith and Michael Bloomfield each had 0.5 sack.Aaron Johnson also had an interception for the WSSU Rams.

After a month on the road to begin the 2015 season, WSSU will finally get to play in Bowman Gray Stadium this week, as the Rams will host the hot Chowan Hawks, on HORN$ Appreciation and Football Alumni Weekend. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m.

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Fort Valley State Downs Benedict, 33-3

FORT VALLEY, Georgia – Fort Valley State used a pair of interception returns to take control and defeat the Benedict College Tigers 33-3 on Saturday in a SIAC football contest.

The loss drops Benedict to 0-4 on the season, 0-1 in the SIAC, while Fort Valley State improves to 3-1 overall and 3-0 in the SIAC.

With regular starting quarterback Kalu Onumah out with a concussion, backupMason Duckett was injured on the first series. Backups Patrick Hoard and Charles Fosterthrew three interceptions on six pass attempts, resulting in running back/return specialist George Myers Jr. playing quarterback from the wildcat formation for the entire second half. Myers finished the game with 39 net yards on 15 carries.

"We stuck with George trying to run the ball. We got a few first downs, but we're still a long way from having anything that looks like what we want it to look like offensively," Benedict coach Mike White said.

The Tigers were trailing 3-0 in the second quarter when the disaster struck on back-to-back series for the Tigers. With the Tigers pinned back at their own 12-yard line, Hoard had a pass batted at the line of scrimmage and FVSU's George Maxey caught the free ball and ran in from five yards out for the first touchdown of the game.  Juan Serna kicked the extra point for a 10-0 lead with 8:16 left in the first half.

On Benedict's next offensive series, Hoard was again intercepted by Maxey, who returned it 45 yards before being knocked out of bounds at the 2-yard line. FVSU quarterback Malcolm Eady ran the ball on first down for the two yards. Serna again added an extra point and the Wildcats finished off a 14-point outburst in less than two minutes for a 17-0 lead. Serna added a 32-yard field goal with six seconds on the clock for a 20-0 halftime lead.

A booming 46-yard Brian Curry punt early in the third quarter put the Wildcats back at their own 7-yard line. A three-and-out series forced a Fort Valley State punt, and Myers returned Serna's kick 38 yards to the Fort Valley 21-yard line. Three rushes gained five yards, and Tory Mimbs came in to kick a 32-yard field goal, snapping Benedict's 13-quarter scoreless drought.

Any momentum the Tigers received from the score was short lived. On Fort Valley's first play from scrimmage after the kickoff, Eady threw a deep pass to Jevon Bell for a 70-yard scoring play to give the Wildcats a 27-3 lead.

The Wildcats finished the scoring on their next series, when Eady threw an 11-yard pass to Drelon Freeman with 4:03 left in the third quarter. Serna missed the PAT for the final 33-3 score.

"They are getting better, but we're still having that breakdown here and there," White said. "We're still turning the ball over too much, still allowing that big play. We're still doing the same things, just maybe not as much, but it's still hurting us the same and it's not good enough to win."

Stephen Williams led the Benedict defense with 12 tackles, while Charles Powellhad nine tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception.

Benedict is back home next Saturday against Kentucky State University at 2 p.m. The Thorobreds (1-3) defeated Central State 21-17 on Saturday. 

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Tuskegee Stays Unbeaten with Road Win

JACKSON, Tennessee | The 18th-ranked Tuskegee University Golden Tigers overcame a sluggish start to defeat Lane College 41-14 in the SIAC opener on an overcast Saturday afternoon.
 
The Golden Tigers outgained Lane on the afternoon 481 yards to 230 yards. The game was balanced as Tuskegee gained 240 yards through the air, and 241 on the ground.
 
Kevin Lacey led the way with 81 yards rushing, and all 241 yards passing on 10-of-18 with a pair of touchdowns. Kenno Loyal chipped in with 68 yards on eight carries, whileDesmond Reece led all receivers with 110 yards on three receptions.
 
Defensively, Jewell Ratliff led the way with 9.5 tackles including a tackle for los, while Jason Ashley and Osband Thompson added six each in the victory.
 
Tuskegee (4-0, 1-0 SIAC) came out quickly in the second half, using one play to get on the board. Junior quarterback Kevin Lacey dropped back and hit senior Desmond Reece streaking down the field for a 67-yard touchdown just 21 seconds into the second half.
 
The play was the fifth longest touchdown for the Golden Tigers this season, and was the second longest play from scrimmage this season – only trailing a 79-yard touchdown reception by Van Powell.
 
Lane was able to take six minutes off the clock in the third quarter as they went down the field, scoring on a 29-yard touchdown pass by Marcus Reynolds. The touchdown was the first in four quarters against the Tuskegee defense, and just the fourth this season in four games.
 
Tuskegee answered right back in the third quarter.
 
After a touchdown reception was called back, and a pair of dead ball fouls the Golden Tigers restarted the drive from their 37-yard line. Lacey scrambled around and through the Lane defense for a 17-yard touchdown run and a commanding 27-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
 
The Golden Tigers added a pair of touchdowns late for the final margin.
 
Although the Golden Tigers struck early and often in the second half, the first half did not start out the same way. After a sluggish start from both teams that saw two turnovers on their first two possessions, the Golden Tigers settled in late in the first quarter.
 
Tuskegee was forced into a turnover in two of their first three plays, both interceptions by Kevin Lacey; however, they were able to move the ball on their third possession. They moved the ball 48 yards in six plays, highlighted by a 53-yard pass from Lacey to freshman Peyton Ramzy. The drive stalled with 6:05 play, and although Tuskegee missed a field goal, it was a sign of things to come.
 
The Golden Tigers continued to move the ball in the first half, getting on the board with just 31 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Following a Jonah McCutcheon interception, the Golden Tigers were able to convert 18 yards later with a 35-yard field goal from Kemuel Lawrence.
 
Tuskegee was able to get things going on their second drive of the second quarter.
 
The Golden Tigers used a 7-play, 50-yard drive highlighted by a 17-yard pass from Lacey to Jerome Lewis. Following the pass and a short running play, Lacey danced around in the pocket and evaded a snap before scampering seven yards for a touchdown with 4:40 to play in the half.
 
Near the end of the half, Tuskegee moved the ball down the field with a 23-yard pass from Lacey to Desmond Reece and a 19-yard run by Lacey. The junior quarterback hit Marquel Gardner in the back of the end zone with five seconds remaining, however, it was called back due to illegal touching. As the clock wound down in the half, Lawrence drilled a 36-yard field goal to end the half and give Tuskegee a 13-0 advantage.
 
Tuskegee returns to play next week at UNC Pembroke, with kick scheduled at 2 pm (est).
 
For more information on Tuskegee University athletics, follow us on Twitter @MyTUAthletics and like us on Facebook.

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Great defense leads Miles to win over Morehouse

ALBERT J. SLOAN - ALUMNI STADIUM
FAIRFIELD, ALABAMA

FAIRFIELD, Alabama  --  For the second consecutive week, Miles used a stout defense to lift a struggling offense and went into the fourth quarter nursing a lead.

This week, though, the Golden Bears did just enough to hold on, using seven sacks and forcing four turnovers - including two in the final period - to earn a 13-10 win over Morehouse Saturday at Sloan-Alumni Stadium.

Freshman Jamarcus Nance ran for 85 yards and a touchdown and kicker Nick Christiansen booted two field goals - one from 56 yards - to provide the scoring. But a swarming defense, paced byBraysean Jones, was the difference as the Golden Bears (1-3, 1-0 SIAC) opened conference play with a win.

The Maroon Tigers (2-2, 0-1) racked up 261 yards of offense, 154 of them on the ground, and had 20 first downs to Miles' 10. But twice in the fourth quarter, driving deep in Miles' territory with a chance to tie the game or take the lead, Morehouse could not hold on to the ball. First, it was Jones - who had 11 tackles (seven solo) and 4.5 sacks - forcing a fumble at the Miles 33 that was recovered by Michael Mitchell with 10:29 left. On Morehouse's next possession, a big gain turned into a big turnover when Ashton McKenzie knocked another ball loose that was recovered by Caleb Duncan.

On the Maroon Tigers' final drive, they got to the Miles 36 but on 4th-and-5, Jones got his final sack of the game and Miles was able to run out the clock.

Miles trailed 3-0 at the end of the first quarter but saw its fortunes change right before halftime. After a sack by McKenzie forced a fumble that was recovered by Skylar Smith, the Golden Bears would score on an 8-yard run by Nance to give them a 7-3 lead going into halftime

In the second half, Christiansen would convert on two field goals that extended the lead. The first was from 37 yards. The second was more exciting. After having a 51-yard field goal wiped out because of a penalty, he nailed a career-best 56-yarder that gave Miles a 13-3 lead with 4:41 left in the 3^rd quarter. After a failed onside kick, Morehouse would put together a quick scoring drive on its next possession to cut the deficit to three points with 2:46 left in the third.

Malik Johnson rushed for 85 yards, Monqavious Johnson was 11-of-19 for 107 yards passing and James Woods had a game-high 15 tackles for Morehouse.

Miles had several defensive stars. McKenzie had five solo tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Emmanuel Ray had nine tackles (eight solo), Mitchell had eight tackles (five solo) and Cedric Pool had six tackles and an interception for the Golden Bears, who host Albany State Golden Rams next Saturday at 4 p.m.

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KSU Thorobreds top Central State 21-17 to win Circle City Classic

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- Kentucky State claimed a Circle City Classic victory over rival Central State for the second consecutive year, putting together a fourth quarter drive to pull out a 21-17 win on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Trailing 17-14 with the offense being held scoreless to that point, the Thorobreds got a break when Charles Johnson broke free and took a slant 58 yards to the Central State 22-yard-line. It appeared Kentucky State would have to settle for a game-tying field goal by Turner Warren, but a Central State penalty on the play set the Thorobreds up with first-and-goal from the eight. Two plays later, Alex Springs found Corey Slaughter for what would be the game-winning touchdown.

Central State got the ball back with 5:27 to play and drove as far as the Kentucky State 28-yard-line, but a Bretton Ervin sack for a loss of seven yards helped put Central State in position for what would be a turnover on downs. A first down run by Reginal Harris allowed Kentucky State to run out the clock after getting the ball back.



"It was an emotional game," said Kentucky State head coach Josh Dean. "That first half took a lot out of us. We tell these guys to keep at it, keep chipping away, and that it will eventually click. It took us all the way to the fourth quarter to make some plays, but we finally did. We just have to find a way to get some continuity and get more of that so we can have some more success."

The scoring in the first half was unconventional, with all four touchdowns coming on special teams and defense. It was Kentucky State to strike first, with Kolby Griffin scooping up a high snap on a Central State punt attempt and racing 15 yards for a touchdown. After the Thorobreds' next offensive series stalled at their own one-yard-line, the Marauders evened the score with a 49-yard punt return touchdown by Jordan Howard.

Again, it was in the punt game where Kentucky State was able to take back the lead, with Nathaniel Robinson blocking a Central State punt and returning it for a touchdown. However, the Marauders were able to answer with 10 quick points on a John Adams field goal, followed by a Clim Robbins interception return three plays later. Central State threatened before the half, but Kentucky State's defense was able to stop the Marauders on six plays from inside the five-yard-line and block the ensuing field goal attempt.



Several defensive players had big games for Kentucky State, with D'Shaunte Glass making 12 tackles to lead the team. Trevon Spencer made 11 tackles with three for loss and a sack, while Robinson finished with 10 tackles, the blocked punt, and the touchdown. Dimitri Cooper also had 10 stops with a tackle for loss, and Raymond Malone had a forced fumble and fumble recovery, making it his fourth straight game with a turnover.

The defenses for both teams were in control throughout the game, with Kentucky State managing just 114 yards of offense and while holding Central State to 243. Springs finished with 82 yards passing, picking up 71 of those on the final touchdown drive. Johnson's 58 receiving yards on the drive led all players in the game.

With the result, Kentucky State improves to 1-3 on the season and starts out Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play at 1-0, while Central State falls to 2-2 overall and 2-1 in the conference. The Thorobreds are back in action again next Saturday when they travel to take on Benedict College at 2 p.m. in Columbia, S.C.




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Chowan Hawks Dismantle Saint Augustine's Falcons

MURFREESBORO, North Carolina  -- The Chowan University football team rolled to their third win of the season with a 49-0 victory over the visiting Saint Augustine's University Falcons on Saturday afternoon.  The victory was the second in as many weeks for the Hawks and marked the first CIAA win of the season.  The Hawks also earned their first victory over Saint Augustine's in program history.  Chowan advances to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in CIAA play with the win while the Falcons slip to 0-4 on the year and 0-1 in the league. 

Chowan held Saint Augustine's to a mere 117 offense yards while tallying 369 offense yards of their own.  Tyree Lee led the way for the Hawks, breaking the school's single-game rushing yards record with a total of 223 on the day.  He had 36 carries in the contest while scoring three touchdowns.  Randall Dixon completed 10-17 pass attempts for 149 yards and connected with Torry Baker, Damian Ellis and Tyree Lee on touchdown passes.  Ellis led the receiving corps with three receptions for 56 yards followed by Baker with two receptions for 53 yards. 

AJ Gilford led the Flacons on the ground with four carries for 28 yards.  Julius Murphy completed 4-9 passes for 31 yards, connecting with Devion Newkirk three times for 18 yards. 

Defensively, Randy Allen Jr. led the way with five tackles (two solo, three assisted) while Andrew Denny added five tackles (one solo, four assisted) in the setback.  The Hawks' defense forced five interceptions with Roderick Lyndsey accounting for three of them while also forcing two Falcon fumbles. 

Terry Warren led the defensive effort for Saint Augustine's with nine tackles (seven solo, two assisted) followed by Chasz Casby with eight tackles (five solo, three assisted). 
Chowan controlled the momentum for the entire contest and grabbed control right from the start with 20 unanswered points in the first quarter.  Nick Hahula made good on an 18-yard field goal attempt at the 12:30 mark in the second quarter, propelling the Hawks to a 23-0 lead heading into halftime. 

After halftime, the Hawks quickly put the game out of reach, adding 19 points in the third quarter before Lee's six yard touchdown run and Hahula's point after solidified the 49-0 win for Chowan. 

The Hawks return to action on October 3^rd when Chowan travels to Winston-Salem State University for a CIAA crossover contest.  Game time is slated for 1:30pm.  

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