Sept. 18, 2004
Winston-Salem, NC - An offensive showcase it was not, but the Winston-Salem State University Rams used a solid running attack to earn their first win of the 2004 season as they handed the Panthers of Virginia Union University a 20-13 loss and dropped them to 0-4 on the year. The Rams used a two-pronged running attack behind Jed Bines and Martin Hicks and took advantage of a late-game offensive surge to improve to 1-3 on the season.
The two teams got off to a slow start as the first quarter of play was without any offensive fireworks. The two teams finished the first stanza of play with only 42 yards of total offense, as the Rams tallied only 24 yards and the Panthers recorded a lackluster 18 yards of offense, with neither team able to crack into the endzone.
The second quarter of play saw the Rams draw first blood as Jed Bines used a 41-yard touchdown run to put WSSU up 7-0. The Panthers scored only five and a half minutes later as Elihu Smith scored with only :53 remaining in the half.
After an uneventful third quarter, the two teams headed into the final quarter of play deadlocked at 7-7.
The fourth quarter was a bit more eventful as the Rams started out with an offensive flurry. It was not all good however, as Brandon Free was saddled with a clipping call that nullified a 58 yard Martin Hicks touchdown run. However, on the very next play Monte Purvis scrambled for 18 yards on second and 17 to give the Rams a first down.
Jed Bines then took over where Martin Hicks left off as he scrambled 37 yards down to the Virginia Union nine yard line. On the very next play, he powered in from the nine yard line to give WSSU a 14-7 lead after a Matt Hind kick.
On the very next drive John Cates, who did not play in the first half due to disciplinary reasons, checked into the game and helped the Panthers earn their first first down of the second half.
Two plays into the drive Cates fumbled for the sixth time of the 2004 season, marking Virginia Union's nation-leading 18th turnover of the year. The fumble was recovered by WSSU's Phillip Betts and the Rams looked to be back in business.
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The Rams squandered the drive and Virginia Union would use an 11-play, 87-yard drive to get in position to tie the game at 14-14.
However, the Rams had other ideas as Brandon McLelland blocked a Tony Oby kick and helped to preserve WSSU's lead, by the slimmest of margins at 14-13.
After getting the ball back on the onsides kick, the Rams could simply kneel on the ball to put the game out of reach. However, WSSU ran a play, and hit pay dirt as Martin Hicks rumbled 43 yards for a touchdown to put the game out of reach. However, a Matt Hind missed PAT gave hope to Virginia Union.
Tony Robinson would end that hope as he closed the game with a big hit that killed a Virginia Union drive and gave WSSU a 20-13 win.
With the loss, the Panthers fall to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in the CIAA. The Rams improve to 1-3 overall and move to a flawless 1-0 in the CIAA.
WSSU returns to action on Saturday, September 25th, 2004 as they travel to Bowie, MD to take on Bowie State University with kick off slated for 1:00 pm.
