Sep. 27, 2003

Richmond, VA - Revenge is a dish best served cold. That is exactly what the Winston-Salem State University Rams had an entire year to think about after a last second field goal carried Virginia Union University over the Rams last season at Bowman-Gray Stadium. That, coupled with the fact that the Panthers had the nerve to schedule the Rams on Homecoming Day in 2003, fueled the Rams desire to serve up a slice of humble pie to the Panthers, who were currently riding a 3-game win streak versus WSSU. However, it would not be, as the Panthers, using a potent passing attack and being the beneficiary of 11 Ram penalties for 150 yards, used a 20-point third quarter to subdue all Ram thoughts of breaking the three-game losing streak at the hands of VUU, losing their fourth straight game versus the Panthers by the score of 29 to 17 and in the process break their own three-game win streak.

The game started out innocuously enough when the Rams went three and out on their first possession of the game and burned only 41 seconds before giving the ball back to the host team. However, a tackle for a loss of one yard on first down by Tony Robinson (So./6'3"/230/Winston-Salem, NC)} followed by two Ram sacks of VUU Quarterback, John Cates resulted in a Panther punt from inside their own end zone. The Rams then awoke as Brandon Hussey (So./5'10"/175/Pine Top, NC) ran back a 47 yard punt for a touchdown. Receiving the ball at his own 45 yard line, Hussey broke free at the 50-yard line and took the ball 55 yards for his second kick return for a touchdown of the season.

The Rams looked to be rolling, and well in control of their own destiny, but the Panthers fought valiantly, forcing a Ram three and out deep in WSSU territory. A Chad Oakley (So./5'10"/175/Haw River, NC) punt was blocked, and the ensuing safety made it a 7-2 game. The very next play Oakley was again a factor as he prevented a touchdown when the Panthers ran the kickoff back 77 yards to the Ram eight yard line. The Panthers would drive the ball into the end zone only two plays later to take their first lead of the ballgame at 9-7.

The Rams would change quarterbacks, inserting Rodney Milbourne (Sr./5'11"/190/Battleboro, NC) into the contest, but would still struggle, never getting their usually dominant running game started. However, Tony Robinson and his defensive-minded counterparts would once again come through when it mattered most, as he would force a Panther fumble at the WSSU 19 yard line and look to break free before being dragged down near midfield. The Rams then got the running game going as Willie "Pedie" Byrd (Jr./5'9"/215/Leland,NC) carried the ball six times, eventually punching the ball into the end zone from two yards out to give the Rams the lead back.

An Ashton Oakley (Sr./5'9"/175/Haw River, NC) point after attempt would give the Rams a nine point cushion, as the Rams were once again looking to get rolling. Homecoming pride would once again give the Panthers life as they mounted another drive, looking to inch closer. They would do exactly that as they would use countless big plays on second and third down as Cates would find his receivers wide open in the Ram secondary. The Panthers used passing touchdowns of 49 and 47 yards to Rodney Hicks and Jerome Leslie to break the game open midway through the third quarter and lead 22-17.

To make matters worse, Martin Hicks (So./5'8"/170/Charlotte, NC) would cough up the ball on the Ram 11-yard line, and the Panthers re-gained possession, setting up yet another Panther touchdown, the eleven yard, three-play drive giving them the 29-17 lead to cap a 20-point Virginia Union third quarter.

Facing a 19-point deficit going into the final stanza of play, the Rams looked to mount an aggressive passing attack, but numerous penalties, among them personal fouls, illegal substitutions and holding, the Rams found themselves battling not only the Panthers, but themselves.

Mounting a drive to attempt a comeback, after blocking a Panther field goal attempt, WSSU Quarterback Rodney Milbourne threw an interception and all 11,000 fans would see the Ram attempt for a comeback slip away.

With the loss, the Rams drop to 3-2 overall (2-1 CIAA) while the Panthers improve to 2-3 overall (1-1 CIAA). The Rams will have the October 4th weekend off while the Panthers will travel to Roanoke, VA to face St. Augustine's in the West Virginia Educational Classic.