Sept. 14, 2005
Kickoff...
Venue...Bowman Gray Stadium in
Television Coverage...There is no television coverage for this contest versus the Vikings of Elizabeth City State University. The Rams currently have no games in the 2005 season that are slated for television broadcasts, however there is discussion about televising the October 15th, 2005 contest versus the North Carolina Central University Eagles.
Radio Coverage...This weekend's contest will be available to listeners in the greater Winston-Salem area live on WSNC, FM 90.5 with Doc Love and George Croom calling all the action as well as live nationally on the internet at www.WSSU.edu by clicking on the link: "Listen to WSNC." Elizabeth City State University will broadcast the game via Team-Line Sports. It can be heard anywhere in the world by calling 1-800-846-4700 and asking for the ECSU Football code. It will also be broadcast on the Viking Football Network. ESPN (93.1 FM)/WOIC (1230 AM).
Live Statistical Broadcast Online...Can't make it to the game, but want to keep tabs on what the Rams are doing as it happens? Then log on to the official live statistical broadcast of the game on GAMETRACKER. Catch all WSSU home games as each one takes advantage of the Rams' enhanced partnership with College Sports Television as WSSU became the 72nd NCAA member school to use the GAMETRACKER software that enables a live statistical broadcast of the entire game to be seen on the World Wide Web. To access the GAMETRACKER webcast, fans may visit the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com, accessing the football schedule page and then clicking on the GAMETRACKER link to view all the statistical action and information.
Setting The Scene...The matchup between the Rams and Vikings marks the fourth game of the season for both teams. WSSU lost last weekend to the 2004 Co-MEAC Champion Bulldogs of South Carolina State University 52-12 in Spartanburg, SC and ECSU fell in defeat to the Broncos of Fayetteville State University by the score of 39-6 in Elizabeth City, NC in a designated non-CIAA football contest.
The Series...The Rams and Vikings have met 50 times since the 1946 season with the Rams holding the distinct advantage in the all-time series as WSSU has posted a 34-14-2 record overall versus ECSU for a winning percentage of .680. The largest WSSU win came in 1997 when WSSU defeated ECSU 48-0. The Largest ECSU win came in 1975 when ECSU defeated the Rams 33-0. WSSU's longest win streak versus the Vikings was a span of 16 games from 1947-1965. The longest ECSU win streak was a five-game span from 1966-1970. WSSU has won five of the last six meetings, while ECSU won the last head-to-head meeting in 2002 as they defeated WSSU 15-14 in a road game for the Rams that was played at Bowman Gray Stadium (due to unplayable conditions at ECSU).
Fun Facts and Numbers...Since coming to Winston-Salem State University in 1993 to coach his alma mater, head football coach Kermit Blount is 6-3 versus the Vikings of Elizabeth City State University. He has yet to face new ECSU head coach Waveryl Tillar.
Purvis Takes Over...With the conclusion of the 2004 season, the Rams lost the services of quarterback Joshua McGee, who has since moved on to become a member of the Ram coaching staff. With the move from the playing field to the sidelines, the Rams have crowned a new starting quarterback in Parkland High School superstar, and sophomore (redshirt) Monte Purvis. Purvis, who appeared in five games for the Rams last season, starting one, threw for 102 yards and a touchdown last season while rushing for 167 more. Thus far in 2005, Purvis has started all three games for the Rams going 20 for 37 passing for 215 total yards. He has yet to throw a TD pass in 2005 and has been intercepted three times. He has been sacked 16 times.
The Brothers Bynum...The Rams have a tradition of football excellence, and also have a tradition of family that permeates not only the football program, but the athletic program in general. The Rams currently have two sets of brothers on the team, the most valuable of which are the Bynum Brothers. The brothers, Darrian Bynum (sophomore LB), and Levern Bynum (senior LB), will both make starts during the 2005 season. Levern has appeared in 32 games during his Ram career, starting 23 while Darrian appeared in eight games his freshman year in 2004, starting six and has started the last three weeks. Darrian currently leads the Rams in tackles with 24 (16 solo, 8 assisted). Levern has five tackles thus far in 2005 (1 solo, 4 assisted).
The Coaches...The coaches for this game are very evenly matched-up and both captain two football programs rich in tradition, both of which are accustomed to winning. The Rams are led by 13th-year man and WSSU alum (1980), Kermit Blount. Blount has an overall record of 71-56-3 overall for a winning percentage of .546. He has faced the Vikings nine times and has posted a record of 6-3 versus ECSU over that span, for a winning percentage of .666. ECSU is led by Waverly Tillar who has never faced the Rams and will be facing Kermit Blount for the first time in his two-year coaching tenure at ECSU.
From Standard To Unconventional...The Rams are sporting a new defensive look this season as they have trashed the conventional 4-3 defensive scheme in favor of a more unconventional 3-5-3 defense under the tutelage of new defensive coordinator Mike Ketchum. The 3-5-3 utilizes three defensive linemen, three linebackers, two "spurs" or strong safeties, and three defensive backs (two cover corners and a free safety). The new look has posed matchup problems for the Rams first three opponents of 2005 as WSSU has had much better showings defensively than 2004's squad that finished near last in the CIAA in every defensive statistical category. The Rams have recorded eight pass break ups and an interception through three games and have given up only six passing plays of 20 yards or more. Cornerback Maurice Reid leads WSSU with four passes defended.
New Threads For The Rams...The Rams will have one set of new threads for the 2005 season as they have brand new Russell road white uniforms. WSSU unveiled the new uniforms on September 3rd, 2005 when they traveled to Washington, DC to face MEAC member, and Division I-AA opponent Howard. WSSU will wear the uniforms three more times this season, on Sept. 24, Oct. 1, and Oct. 8. The uniforms were designed following a collaborative effort between head coach Kermit Blount and fourth-year equipment manager Jay Robinson.
Rams Picked Third...The verdict came in on July 21st, 2005 at the CIAA Football Kick-Off Luncheon that took place in Petersburg, VA, and to many Ram fans, it was a surprise. The powerhouse Rams were picked to finish the 2005 season third in the ultra-competitive CIAA Western Division. WSSU was picked to finish behind 2004 Western Division Champion Fayetteville State University, who was tabbed as the favorite to defend their Western Division title and the Rams were also, surprisingly, predicted to finish behind the Eagles of North Carolina Central University. WSSU looks to prove the "experts" wrong in 2005 by winning the CIAA Western Division and the CIAA Championship. The Rams have not won a CIAA title since winning back-to-back championships during the 1999 and 2000 seasons.
South Atlantic AGAIN...The meeting between the WSSU and Catawba marked the fifth consecutive season that the Rams opened play versus a team from the South Atlantic Conference. The past four seasons it was the Eagles of Carson-Newman that WSSU faced on opening-weekend. The Rams have posted a 1-4 record over that span as they won the season opener during the 2001 season, a 27-16 win over nationally-ranked Carson-Newman. The Rams are 2-6 versus the SAC during the Kermit Blount coaching era as he has led the Rams to wins over Carson-Newman College (2001) and Wofford (1994).
ly Scoring Once...The Rams' defense will have to step up in 2005 as WSSU only scored one defensive touchdown in 2004. That touchdown, a 94-yard interception return for a TD versus Saint Augustine's College by the since-departed Edwin Jones was the lone score for the Ram defense during the season. The Rams posted a 1-0 record when the defense scored. This season, the Rams have already recorded a defensive touchdown as freshman Andre Che' Wade blocked a punt and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown versus Howard University in WSSU's 20-6 loss.
 Martin Hicks Will Look To Be The Rams' First 100-Yard Rusher Of The Season On Saturday Evening Versus ECSU  |
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WSSU Jumps Out Early...The 2004 Rams liked to jump out on opponents early as the Rams posted a 4-2 record when they scored the first points of the game. This season, in the Rams' first two games, WSSU jumped out to early leads before relinquishing them both to their opponents before being saddled with losses.
Still No 100-Yard Rusher...Last week marked the third consecutive game where the Rams failed to have a 100-yard rusher. With the talented Jed Bines and Martin Hicks on the roster, the fact that the Rams were unable to break for at least one 100-yard rusher is something that mystifies the coaching staff and fans.
Possession Time Not Kind...Again...The Rams once again have controlled the clock, and once again lost. The 2005 Rams are 0-1 when leading the possession battle. The 2004 Rams were 3-6 when leading in possession time. WSSU won the only game of the season in which they were out-possessed (versus Saint Augustine's College in 2004's final game.)
Artificial Turf Isn't Kind...The Rams lost their only game played on the artificial turf surface. WSSU has not won on turf since 2003 when they defeated West Virginia Tech 35-33 in Montgomery, WV.
Players To Watch (WSSU)...#1 Jed Bines, junior running back; #27 Martin Hicks, senior running back; #4 Monte Purvis, sophomore quarterback; #9 Brandon Hussey, senior wide receiver and kick returner; #5 Chad Oakley, senior, punter.
99 Problems, But Numbers Ain't One...The Rams are loaded...literally. On August 27th, versus Catawba, the Rams had 97 players dressed in uniform. That 97 players is only two short of the NCAA maximum of 99 players that can dress for a team's home games. That means that the Rams have a roster that is 97.9% full. According to head equipment manager Jay Robinson, the Rams may very well fill all 99 uniforms on Saturday, September 17th, when they host Elizabeth City State University at Bowman Gray Stadium in WSSU's first home game after back-to-back road contests.
Running For Home...The Rams are very proficient at running the ball. There is no doubt about that. As a team, the Rams averaged 246.7 yards per game on the ground last season. However, in home games, the Rams averaged a stunning 298.7 yards per game on the ground. This season however, the Rams have yet to record even one 100-yard rusher in 2005's three contests.
Secondary Solution...If there was one glaring weakness in the 2004 Rams, it would have been the WSSU secondary. The Rams were ranked second to last, or last, in every pass defense statistic in the CIAA. WSSU has tried to remedy the situation by bringing in a new defensive coordinator in Mike Ketchum, and has switched from a 4-3 to a 3-5-3 formation on defense. The change in formation yielded immediate dividends for the Rams as they batted away four passes and intercepted two more (one of which was called back due to an offsides penalty) versus Catawba on August 27th. WSSU has defended eight opponent's passes thus far during the 2005 season.
New Season, New Announcers...The 2005 season will mark the debut of the new WSNC Radio 90.5 FM radio broadcast crew. The Rams' flagship station has recently revamped its entire WSSU Football broadcast crew. Ram fans will now hear all the on-field action brought to them by George Croom and Doc Love. The pair will combine for a tag-team play-by-play effort that will keep all those displaced Ram fans "in the know" with live action. As well, the duo are planning to launch a coaches show live, every Monday, starting on August 29th, 2005 at 6:30 pm on WSNC 90.5 FM. For additional information, contact WSSU Assistant Director of Athletics for Marketing and Promotions,
Sophomore Sensation...The Rams' Darrian Bynum currently ranks tied for ninth in the CIAA in tackles with 24. He has tallied 16 solo tackles and eight assists with a sack and two tackles for loss. He also ranks tied for first in the CIAA with two forced fumbles (tied with seven other players).
Injury Update...The 2005 Rams have faced several injuries already, and will face the Vikings of Elizabeth City State with a few bumps and bruises. It is still unclear whether #52 William Hayes, the Rams' starting middle linebacker from week one, will suit up for the game due to a knee injury sustained in week one versus Catawba College. Details of the severity of the injury are still being examined, but his hyperextended knee (with no ligament damage) is still causing him moderate pain. If Hayes is unable to play, Thaddeus Griffin (6'2", 225 lb., So.) will make his third start of the season as he replaces Hayes, with Brandon McLellan (6'0", 225 lb., So.) backing him up. If Griffin is forced to move to middle linebacker, the Rams will put Chris Stowe (6'1", 215 lb., Jr.) in the starting right linebacker spot. Another change to the depth chart for the Rams comes on the offensive side of the ball where Michael Helton (6'3", 290lb., r-Fr.) will make his third career start at center with week-one's starting center, Javon Hubbard (6'4", 260-lb., r-So.) being relegated to a back-up role (ankle tenderness). The final injury update for the Rams is one that still has WSSU fans reeling as two-time All-CIAA punter Chad Oakley will be unavailable for the Rams until at least October 1st as he has been told by doctors that he needs four weeks off following surgery on his left shin. Speculation is that the Rams will attempt to ask the NCAA for a medical redshirt year for Oakley who is a senior in the classroom and on the field in 2005.
Statistics Are Deceiving...As any statistician can tell you, statistics can be deceiving If one briefly looks at the Rams' stats for this season, one would notice that WSSU is a perfect 100% in the red-zone. This does not tell the story as the Rams have been in the red-zone only four times this season. WSSU turned in a perfect 1-1 showing inside the 20 yard-line versus Catawba in a 20-10 loss and did not enter the red zone on offense versus the Bison of Howard University. However, last weekend the Rams turned in a perfect three-for-three red-zone performance versus South Carolina State (one TD, two FG's) in a 52-12 loss.
Red-Zone Efficiency, On The Flipside...The Rams are a perfect 1-1 in the red zone this season, however, their opponents are also turning in a red-zone efficiency of 100% as well as they are a perfect 13-for-13 inside the Rams' 20-yard line. Catawba College was a perfect 4-for-4 in the first game of the season and Howard University was a perfect 3-for-3 two Saturday's ago. Last weekend, the Rams saw the Bulldogs of South Carolina State turn in a stellar six-for-six outing inside the red zone. The Rams have given up ten touchdowns (seven rushing, three passing) and three field goals over that three-game span (opponents are a perfect three-for-three in field goal attempts).
Seven In Double Digits...The Rams have only seven players who have ten or more tackles on the season. Though 32 players have recorded at least one tackle through two games, only Darrian Bynum (24), Thadeus Griffin (19), Nathaniel Biggs (17), Maurice Reid (13), Samuel Robinson (12), Patrick Clark (11) and Raynard Crawley (10) have ten or more tackles thus far in 2005.
Storyline, Division I...The 2005 season marks the first time since the 2000 season that the Rams have faced two Division I football opponents. That season, the Rams faced the Bulldogs of South Carolina State and the Pirates of Hampton. That season, the Rams split with their two Division I opponents. This season, the Rams dropped both decisions to their Division I opponents.
Players To Watch, ECSU...#52, Emmauel Plummer who is tied for first in the CIAA in tackles and is a two-time CIAA Defensive Lineman of the Week in 2005...#99, Maceo Thomas...#7, Chris Carter, senior wide-receiver and running back; a native of Winston-Salem, NC...#11 Rayburn Morris.
In The Offensive Cellar...The Rams of 2005, in stark contrast to last season's offensive juggernaut, are near the bottom of the CIAA's scoring offense cellar. The Rams are only percentage points ahead of the conference's worst offensive team (Livingstone College) as WSSU is averaging only 9.3 points per game. WSSU has scored only 28 points through three games.
Chad Who?...The Rams, who are without the services of two-time All-CIAA punter Chad Oakley (Haw River, NC) who is still suffering from complications due to shin surgery, are faring very well with placekicker Matt Hind (Clemmons, NC) in a back-up capacity. The Rams are currently ranked third in the CIAA in punting with a 37.8 yard per punt average. The Rams have a 33.3 yard per punt net average.
Where'd The Rushin' Go?...The Rams, who have led the CIAA in rushing yardage for the last six consecutive seasons, are currently, after three games, ranked 10th in the conference in rushing. The Rams have turned in, as of press time, only 248 yards of rushing offense for an average of 82.7 yards per game rushing. WSSU ranks ahead of only Livingstone College (70.3 rypg) and Johnson C. Smith University (43.0 rypg). This is in stark contrast to the 2004 Rams who recorded 247.2 rushing yards per game last season.
A Record The Rams Don't Want...The 2005 Rams have a chance to do something that WSSU hasn't done since 1975, and that is, start the season 0-4. WSSU, who has started three seasons in the last quarter-century 0-3 (2003, 1980, and 1981), has not started a season 0-4 since 1975 when WSSU lost nine consecutive games before winning the final contest of the season. The 1975 season saw the Rams, under head coach Cleo Wallace, drop nine straight games en route to a 1-9 overall record.
What happened?
We turned the football over, and this is the worst thing that we did, and they capitalized on it. I think that those first two turnovers, those were unlikely candidates to do so. When you look at it, Martin Hicks, a sure-handed guy he fumbled the first punt. And we come right back, and Brandon Hussey fumbles the second one. Initially, when it happened, I told Martin, hey, don't worry about it, remember Central (the North Carolina Central game of last season when Hicks had a costly fumble and rebounded with a pair of touchdowns). I was trying to give him some confidence and some motivation, because the fumble was a big letdown for him. And then, when Hussey came right back and did the same thing, it was just one of those days. I mean, those guys have been great for us in this program. I can't get down on those guys. But we just turned the football over, and I think, all but once, they capitalized on it and got points out of it. So when the first two fumbles happened, I think that they gained momentum, and we were not able to recapture it. But when I look at the film, overall, I thought that our kids played well, considering the circumstances they were in.
A Young Team, They Have To Bounce Back, How Do You Motivate Them? Is It Being The First Conference Game, Is That Motivation Enough?
They are motivated. They came out Monday for practice, and sometimes, as a coach, you anticipate that they are going to come out a little flat, and they came out with great energy. They are, the young guys, getting on the job training from the older guys, and our experienced guys are doing well in keeping everyone motivated and focused. I think, as a team, we are doing well with focus, especially now since we are back into conference play, on a more level playing field, I don't think that there is a whole lot of anything that we, as coaches, have to do to get them up for the game. Of course we will continue to give them positive motivation and all that, but they, to be honest, really motivate themselves.
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"They came out Monday for practice, and sometimes, as a coach, you anticipate that they are going to come out a little flat, and they came out with great energy. They are, the young guys, getting on the job training from the older guys, and our experienced guys are doing well in keeping everyone motivated and focused."
WSSU Head Football Coach, Kermit Blount On His Team's Focus
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William Hayes, is he still questionable? Will he play on Saturday?
I doubt it very seriously if he does play, or if he is even ready to go physically. He may be ready, he may not. It is purely in the hands of the doctors and the sports medicine staff. If they doctors say he is ready, and Mr. Stevens (Eddie Stevens M.S. A.T.C., WSSU's Director of Sports Medicine) says he is ready, he may be good enough to play, it is a possibility. But I wouldn't bank on that.
Has he been out there? Has he practiced?
He has faced very limited action this week. Like I said, I wouldn't bank on William playing at all this week.
Truth be told then, the only two injuries that you really have are William (Hayes - WSSU Linebacker) and Chad (Oakley - WSSU Punter), right?
Yes, that is correct. I mean, we have some bumps and bruises, as you always will in football, but the only two significant injuries are to William and Chad, and we miss them both a lot, but I guess we have been fairly lucky so far. We certainly miss Chad, but Matt Hind has stepped up and certainly done a good job in his absence. We will just keep on getting at it.
Elizabeth City State, they are a team that got you 15-14 last time.
They will be hungry. Their coach, Waverly Tillar, even said at the CIAA Football Kickoff Press Conference, that they were going to get people this year, and they were going to get us. Now hopefully, I can make him eat his words, but that is just a competitive coach with a competitive nature right there, and his team is no different. They are going to be looking for a win, and are confident that they can win this game. Our team now is not like some teams in the past. We can not look past anyone, or any team, and we are going to need to be ready to play, and we are going to have to play a good football game. If we were to play one of the high schools here, we couldn't look past them. But honestly, I think that people may look at me funny now, us being 0-3, but I am telling you, I think that our team, this Ram team, is going to end up being a very good football team.
What do you know about this team? Have they stepped it up?
I do know that they have some transfers, and they have some guys who have some experience who redshirted, and they are a good football team. It is going to do us well to come out and play a good game. I mean, we have had a taste of what it takes already this season, and I know that if we had played our game, we could have played with South Carolina State, so I know that we have a good football team.
There is no animosity between your offense and defense is there? I know some teams get that way when one side dominates the other.
None whatsoever. These two sides of the ball are part of one cohesive unit looking to secure the same goal, and honestly, that is the way that it is. We stay together, and the first rule of thumb for our staff and our guys is that we are all we have, so we have to stay together. The last thing that we do after we finish practicing is that we intermingle. The red and the white together. A mix of all colors of jerseys, so there is no animosity. If our defense plays extremely well and our offense doesn't and we lose, we all lose, and that is the approach that we all take, and that is the philosophy that permeates through our squad. It's a WE thing not an I things with us.
One more thing about some particular guys. How is Monte doing, is he holding up being 0-3 and all that? How is his confidence?
He is doing very well. He is in the same boat as a lot of our guys. When you look at our crucial positions on offense, we are a very young football team. We are being forced to try to teach some of these guys on the run.
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