Oct. 12, 2005

Winston-Salem, NC - The CIAA football game of the week is not only a barn-burner, but may very well have league championship game implications as the 6-1 Eagles of North Carolina Central University come to Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC to face the 4-3 Rams of Winston-Salem State University.  The Rams sit at 4-0 in the CIAA and the Eagles enter the contest with a 3-1 CIAA mark as the two teams battle for CIAA Western Division supremacy.

 

Kickoff...6:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time.

               

Venue...Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC (Capacity - 18,000).

 

Television Coverage...There is no television coverage for this contest versus the Eagles of North Carolina Central.  The Rams currently have no games during the 2005 season that are slated for television broadcasts, however the 2005 CIAA Football Championship Game (November 5th, 2005) will be televised live on an as-yet-to-be-determined station. 

  

Radio Coverage...This weekend's contest will be available to listeners in the greater Winston-Salem, NC 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."  North Carolina Central University will broadcast the game on the Internet at the following address:  http://www.nccu.edu/campus/athletics/audio.html

 

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 Eagles marks the eighth game of the season for both teams.  WSSU earned their fourth win of the season, and fourth consecutive victory, last weekend as they defeated the Blue Bears of Livingstone at Alumni Memorial Stadium in Salisbury, NC by the score of 42-14 following a night in which they racked up 456 yards of rushing offense.  The Eagles are coming off of a 17-12 win over Fayetteville State University at home in Durham, NC.  The Rams are 4-0 in the CIAA while the Eagles are 3-1.  WSSU's and NCCU's championship hopes are both still firmly alive. 

 

The Series...The Rams and Eagles have met 39 times since the 1946 season with the Rams holding the advantage in the all-time series as WSSU has posted a 20-19 record overall versus NCCU for a winning percentage of 51.2%.  The largest WSSU win all-time came two seasons ago, in 2003, when WSSU defeated NCCU 47-0 live on national televison (BET).  Saturday's meeting will be the 40th meeting between the two teams since first meeting in 1945.  WSSU's six-game win streak over NCCU was snapped last season in Durham, NC by the score of 35-33 on a last-second TD.  The Eagles started the all-time series winning the first 10 games, but the Rams have won 16 of the last 22 meetings.  NCCU's last win in Winston-Salem, NC was on October 11th, 1997 by the score of 30-29. 

 

Fun Facts and Numbers...Since coming to Winston-Salem State University in 1993 to coach his alma mater, head football coach Kermit Blount is 8-4-0 versus the Eagles of North Carolina Central.  He has faced NCCU head coach Rod Broadway twice, splitting a pair of games with him.  The Rams defeated the Eagles 47-0 in the two coaches first-ever meeting, and the Eagles returned the favor last season in Durham by the score of 35-33.

 

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 seven games for the Rams going 47 of 82 passing for 606 total yards.  He has thrown a pair of TD passes and has been intercepted six times.  He has been sacked a CIAA-worst 28 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 36 games during his Ram career, starting 23 while Darrian appeared in eight games his freshman year in 2004, starting six, and has started all seven games in 2005.  Darrian is currently leading the team in tackles with 37 total (27 solo, 10 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 75-56-3 overall for a winning percentage of .559.  He has faced the Eagles 12 times and has posted a record of 8-4 versus NCCU over that span, for a winning percentage of .666.  NCCU is led by Rod Broadway, a 26-year coaching veteran who recently completed his second year as the head man for the Eagles in 2004.  In three seasons at NCCU, Braodway boasts a record of 18-9 including 13 wins in his last 15 games.  Broadway is no stranger to the coaching ranks as he has served as an assistant football coach at UNC Chapel-Hill (2001-2002), the University of Florida (1995-2001), Duke University (1981-1994) and East Carolina (1979-1980).  He coached on the Gators' national championship team at the University of Florida in 1996 and on conference championships squads at Duke (1989) and Florida (1995).  Broadway has coached in nine bowl games, including six New Year's Day games.  He coached in two national championship games as he coached versus Nebraska (Jan. 2, 1996) and  versus Florida State (on Jan 2., 1997). 

 

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 seven 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 22 pass break ups and seven interceptions through seven games and have given up only eight passing plays of 20 yards or more.  Cornerback Maurice Reid leads WSSU with six passes defended while Nathaniel Biggs has three interceptions (four after video confirmed another).

 

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 wore the uniforms for the final time this season last weekend versus Livingstone.  The uniforms were designed following a collaborative effort between head coach Kermit Blount and 4th-year equipment manager Jay Robinson.  They are manufactured by Russell Equipment Company.

 

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.

 

Only 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 on September 3rd, 2005 in Washington, DC.

 

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.

 

1st 100-Yard Rusher...The ECSU game marked the first time in 2005 that the Rams had recorded a 100-yard rusher, and WSSU earned the win because of it.  Martin Hicks recorded 153 yards on 15 carries which included touchdowns of 65 yards and 40 yards.  Jed Bines recorded 67 yards on 17 carries for WSSU.  Since then, the Rams have had a pair of 100-yard rushers three times in four games.

 

Artificial Turf Isn't Kind...The 2005 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; #7 Matt Hind, junior, punter/placekicker.

 

Weird Logic...The Rams turned the ball over five times versus ECSU, but were able to record the win.  WSSU has posted a 2-2 record in 2005 when recording more turnovers than their opponent.  WSSU currently has 17 turnovers while their opponents have recorded only 10 for a -7 turnover differential.

 

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, October 15th, when they host North Carolina Central University at Bowman Gray Stadium in WSSU's first home game after back-to-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 the Rams have had two 100-yard rushers in the same game in four of 2005's seven contests.  Martin Hicks broke the drought versus ECSU as he tallied 155 yards and followed it up with three 200-yard games in the successive weeks.

 

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 29 opponent's passes thus far during the 2005 season (22 PBU's and 7 INT's).

 

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 launched a live coaches show on August 29th, 2005.  The show airs Mondays on WSNC 90.5 FM at 6:30 pm.  For additional information, contact WSSU Assistant Director of Athletics for Marketing and Promotions, Chris Zona in the WSSU Office of Sports Information.

 

Sophomore Sensation...The Rams' Darrian Bynum currently ranks 27th in the CIAA in tackles with 37.  He has tallied 27 solo tackles and 10 assists with a sack and two tackles for loss.  He also ranks second in the CIAA with two forced fumbles (eight other players tied for third with one each).

 

Injury Update...The 2005 Rams have faced several injuries already, and will face the Broncos of  Fayetteville State with a few bumps and bruises.   On the offensive side of the ball Michael Helton (6'3", 290lb., r-Fr.) will make his seventh 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 (coaches decision).  E.J. Gilchrest (6'1", 195-lb, Fr.) has a high ankle sprain and has just returned to full practice activity.  His status for the game versus WSSU is probable.  Ernest Blakley (5'11", 170-lb., r-Fr.) will make the start and compete with Demetrius Rivers (5'1", 170-lb., So.) for playing time in a relief role for Gilchrest should he be unable to make the start.   Raynard Crawley (6'1", 190-lb, Jr.) has been upgraded from questionable to probable for Saturday's game with a sore hamstring and is back at practice for the second straight week.  He will be replaced on the depth chart by Joe Johnson (5'9", 175-lb., r-Fr.) if he is unable to go.  Linebackers Samuel Robinson (6'2", 220-lb., Jr.) and William Hayes (6'3", 260-lb., So.) are both  expected to play in Saturday's game with ankle sprains.  One unchanging injury update for the Rams is one that still has WSSU fans reeling as two-time All-CIAA punter Chad Oakley is done for the season 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. 

 

Note...In regards to injuries, "Doubtful" means that a player has only a 25% chance of playing in an upcoming game.  "Questionable" means that a player has a 50% chance of playing in an upcoming game.  "Probable" means a player has a 75% chance or more of playing in an upcoming game.

 

Near Perfect In The Red Zone...As any statistician can tell you, statistics can be deceiving  However, if one briefly looks at the Rams' stats for this season, one would notice that WSSU is a near-perfect 92.3% in the red-zone. The Rams are an  impressive 12-for-13 in the red zone in 2005.  In 13 attempts, the Rams have recorded seven touchdowns (six rushing, one passing) and five field goals (going a perfect 5-for-5 on FG attempts).

 

Red-Zone Efficiency, On The Flipside...The Rams are a near perfect 12-for-13 in the red zone this season, however, their opponents are also turning in an impressive red-zone efficiency of 78.3% as well as they are 18-for-23 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 on September 3rd.  The Rams saw the Bulldogs of South Carolina State turn in a stellar six-for-six outing inside the red zone on September 10th as well.  The Rams have given up 14 touchdowns (eight rushing, six passing) and four field goals over that three-game span.  Opponents are four of six on field goal attempts inside the Rams' red zone as they have made four kicks and had a pair of kicks blocked.

 

Storyline, Division I...The 2005 season marks the first time since the 2000 season that the Rams have faced two or more 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, losing to Howard University (September 3rd, 2005) 20-6 and South Carolina State (September 10th, 2005) 52-12.

 

Climbing Out Of The Offensive Cellar...The Rams of 2005, in stark contrast to last season's offensive juggernaut, are near the bottom of the CIAA in scoring offense.  However, the Rams are climbing out of the cellar and have moved up to 7th in the CIAA's scoring offensive ranks as they are averaging only 21.6 points per game .

 

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 third in the CIAA in punting with a 37.4 yard per punt average.  The Rams have a 32.2 yard per punt net average.  As well, Hind is a near-perfect 14-for-17 in his point-after tries on the season.  He hit a 20-yard field goal to win WSSU's game versus ECSU on September 17th, 2005 as time expired earning WSSU a 24-23 win and earning himself CIAA Specialty Teams Player of the Week honors, and he hit a 26-yarder with two seconds remaining to defeat Fayetteville State 26-24 on October 1st, 2005 in Fayetteville, NC.

 

The Two Teams' Last Meeting...(NCCU 35, WSSU 33 - Oct. 16, 2004 - Durham, NC)...North Carolina Central University senior running back Donnie Pippen scored on a two-yard rush with no time remaining to lead the Eagles to a 35-33 victory over Winston-Salem State University at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, NC. WSSU appeared to score the game-winning touchdown on a 22-yard pass play from senior Josh McGee to sophomore receiver Jared Brevard as the Rams went ahead 33-29 with only 25 seconds remaining in the game. After NCCU rookie Brandon Alston returned the ensuing kickoff 22 yards to the Eagles' 37-yard line, the host team needed to drive 63 yards in just 20 seconds. On the first play from scrimmage, junior quarterback Adrian Warren found junior transfer Torey Ross streaking down the middle of the gridiron for a 48-yard reception to the Rams 15-yard line. After two incomplete passes, the Eagles called timeout with just two ticks on the clock. When a third straight pass attempt by Warren fell incomplete, the visiting Rams ran on to the field started to celebrate. WSSU's celebration was premature, however, as Rams sophomore cover man Nathaniel Biggs was flagged for pass interference. The ball was placed at the two-yard line and the Eagles had one un-timed play for a final chance to win. Pippen's two-yard dive into the end zone started a second celebration, but this time by the host Eagles. NCCU out-gained the Rams 391 to 386 yards of total offense. WSSU amassed 275 yards rushing against the seventh-ranked defense in NCAA Division II. NCCU's Warren finished with 248 yards on 18-for-29 passing, including three touchdowns through the air. Sophomore running back Greg Pruitt, Jr. ran for his fourth 100-yard game of the season with 128 ground yards and a score on 20 carries. Ross finished with four catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. Junior Ryan Craig topped the Eagles with five receptions for 46 yards. Eagle senior linebacker Bobby Brown tallied a game-high 10 tackles. WSSU was topped by Martin Hicks, who had 174 yards and two touchdowns on 24 attempts. Jed Bines posted 92 yards and a score on 23 carries. McGee finished with 111 yards and two touchdowns on 11-for-18 passing. The Eagles came into the game looking to bounce back from last week's loss to Fayetteville State, while the Rams defeated Livingstone, 31-21. WSSU started the opening drive going six plays for 64 yards down the field before the Rams quarterback McGee fumbled on the Eagles 4-yard line, which was recovered by NCCU's Tyris Rorie at the NCCU 7-yard line. Neither team was able to maintain a sustained drive for the rest of the scoreless first quarter. With 13:35 remaining in the second quarter, NCCU was able to go on top 7-0 with the help from Pruitt, who was able to convert a 6-yard rush for a score. The Eagles stalled the Rams upcoming drive and scored again on their next possession with 9:35 left in the second quarter on an Warren pass to Ross for 20 yards, which made the score 14-0. WSSU answered at 3:54 in the second quarter with a five play, 44-yard drive that culminated with a 13-yard McGee pass to Stan Wright that made the score 14-6, since WSSU kicker Matt Hind missed the extra point. With 12:08 in the third quarter, Warren completed a pass to Eric Lyon for 11 yards for another NCCU touchdown, making the score 21-6. The Rams answered with a Hicks rush for 18 yards with 10:39 left in the third quarter to cap a seven play, 67-yard drive to make the score 21-12 when McGee was unable to convert a two-point conversion. The next series, Warren lost a fumble that was recovered by WSSU's Harold Rives setting up another Rams score, this time by Bines, who rushed two times for eight yards and a score to narrow the deficit to 21-19 at 8:33 of the third quarter. WSSU continued their renewed offensive assault on the Eagles as Hicks 3-yard score capped a 12-play, 85-yard drive to take the lead for the first time with a 26-21 score with 8:37 left in the fourth quarter. The Eagles regained the lead when Warren completed an 18-yard pass to Maurice Glenn, followed by a Ryan Craig rush for an extra point conversion that made the score 29-26. The tide turned again when WSSU quarterback McGee was able to complete a 22-yard pass to Brevard on a 12-play, 65-yard drive to make the score 33-29.NCCU was able to make the exclamation point on Pippen's two-yard run with no time remaining to lead the Eagles to victory in a 35-33 contest. The NCCU win snapped a six-game losing streak to the Rams. The Eagles last celebrated a victory against WSSU on Oct. 11, 1997, by a score of 30-29 in Winston-Salem, NC.

 

The Last Meeting In Winston-Salem, NC...(WSSU 47, NCCU 0 - Oct. 18, 2003)...Winston-Salem State University running back Martin Hicks rushed for 204 yards and two touchdowns as the host Rams blanked North Carolina Central University, 47-0, during a nationwide telecast by Black Entertainment Television (BET) at Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC. WSSU amassed 494 yards of total offense, including 305 yards on the ground, for its largest margin of victory in 38 meetings against the Eagles. WSSU rookie running back Jerrick Bines tallied 51 rushing yards and also scored twice for the Rams. WSSU kicker Ashton Oakley accounted for 11 points with five extra-point kicks and field goals from 35 and 43 yards out.  The Rams controlled the pigskin for more than 20 minutes in the second half, including 11:52 in the fourth quarter. WSSU posted three touchdown-scoring drives of 80 yards or more, including a nine-play, 92-yard drive at the beginning of the fourth quarter, and an 18-play, 87-yard drive for the final score with 1:54 remaining. WSSU's 305 rushing yards is the most surrendered by the Eagles since Livingstone amassed 338 ground yards on Oct. 25, 1997, while the Rams' 494 yards of total offense is the most by an NCCU opponent since Norfolk State tallied 549 total yards on Nov. 4, 1995.

 

Awesome Alston...NCCU punt returner Brandon Alston's 63-yard punt return for a touchdown was the sixth longest in school history and the longest since an 80-yard return by Adrian Jones (current assistant defensive backs coach at NCCU) against Fayetteville State on Oct. 4, 1997. Alston is the first NCCU player, on record, to return two punts for a touchdown in school history. Alston has 383 punt return yards this year and is just 58 yards away from breaking the single-season punt return yardage record held by Carl Sanders (440 yards in 1980). Alston also has the two most productive single-game punt return yardage outputs in the CIAA this season and is the only player in the CIAA with two punt returns for touchdowns. Alston is currently ranked 10th in the nation in punt return average (17.4 yards per return).

 

NCCU Offense...After averaging 268 passing yards and 154 rushing yards per game in its first four contests, the NCCU offense has reinvented itself the last three games. With Charles Futrell and Corey Brown leading a balanced NCCU rushing attack, the Eagles have averaged 160 rushing yards per game in their last three games, including a season-best 251 ground yards last week against Fayetteville State.

 

Broadway Earns Third CIAA Coach Of Week Award...NCCU head coach Rod Broadway was named CIAA Coach of the Week on Sunday, his third such honor this season (Sept. 18, Sept. 25, Oct. 9). Broadway and the Eagles snapped a four-game losing streak to Fayetteville State with a 17-12 victory. The win gave the Eagles a 6-1 record to jump to No. 4 in the region poll.

 

WSSU's Rushing Attack...NCCU's third-ranked CIAA rushing defense will have one of its more difficult assignments Saturday in attempting to stop Martin Hicks and the WSSU rushing attack. Hicks is currently second in the CIAA in rushing yards per game (108.1), and has the highest yards per carry (7.3) among those in the top 10 in rushing. He also leads the CIAA in touchdowns scored with 10. WSSU's 214.7 rushing yards per game is second in the CIAA to Bowie State's 232.6 yards rushing per game. Against Livingstone last week, WSSU rushed for a conference season-high 456 yards, including 14 carries for 218 yards and three touchdowns from Hicks.

 

WSSU Likes Seeing Red...WSSU leads the CIAA in red zone offense, while NCCU is third. The Rams have scored 12-of-13 (92.3 percent) times in the red zone (7 TD's, 5 FG's), while NCCU has scored 23-of-29 times (79.3 percent) inside the 20-yard line (18 TD's, 5 FG's).

 

Hicks Earns CIAA Honors For Third Time...The Central Collegiate Athletic Association named WSSU's Martin Hicks (Sr./Oxford, NC) and Joseph Blanks (Fr./Erie, PA) CIAA Football Players of the Week for the week ending October 9th, 2005 for their performances in WSSU's 42-14 victory over Livingstone College on Saturday evening.  Hicks, a senior running back from Oxford, NC carried the ball 14 times for 218 rushing yards and three touchdowns as he averaged 15.7 yards per carry in the Rams' 42-14 victory over the Blue Bears.  For his efforts, Hicks was named the CIAA's Offensive Back of the Week.  Paving the way for the Ram running backs was Blanks, a 6'4", 320-pound offensive lineman who, despite being a true freshman, helped to anchor and offensive line that allowed WSSU to record 456 yards of rushing offense en route to six rushing touchdowns as two running backs cracked the 100-yard mark in rushing.  For his efforts, he was named the CIAA's Offensive Lineman of the Week.   The Rams return to action on Saturday evening at 6:00 pm as they play host to the Eagles of North Carolina Central University at Bowman Gray Stadium in a contest between a pair of teams that are undefeated in CIAA play.

 

Where'd The Rushin' Go?...The Rams, who have led the CIAA in rushing yardage for the last six consecutive seasons, are currently, after seven games, ranked 2nd (up from 5th) in the conference in rushing.  The Rams have turned in, as of press time, 1,503 yards of rushing offense for an average of 214.7 yards per game rushing.  This is in stark contrast to the 2004 Rams who recorded 247.2 rushing yards per game last season (ranked 1st in the CIAA and 11th in the nation.)

Moving On Up...Now that the Rams have entered into conference play, and have begun facing Division II opponents again, they are climbing the offensive ranks.  WSSU's Martin Hicks and Jed Bines have seemingly awoken from their offensive slumps.  As of press time, Hicks is 2nd in the CIAA in rushing with 108.1 yards per game.  His teammate Jed Bines is 4th in the CIAA with 99.8 yards rushing per game.

 

Receptions A Plenty...The Rams are definitely throwing the ball more this season.  Monte Purvis is starting to get comfortable in the pocket as of late and he has plenty of targets to hit on the flanks this year.  WSSU wide receiver Bradford Herring is comfortable in the new scheme as he has been the recipient of several Purvis passes, including a 35-yard TD catch versus ECSU. 

 

Don't Even Think About Throwing It There...WSSU cornerback Nathaniel Biggs is making the passing game very difficult for opposing teams as he has picked off three passes already this season (four after video review confirmed another - CIAA approval is pending).  Biggs snared two interceptions versus Elizabeth City State and he currently ranks first in the CIAA in interceptions.  He is tied with Shaw's Devin Chatman, Fayetteville State's Donte Wise and Saint Paul's Greg Toler for the conference lead in interceptions (with four).  As of press time the WSSU Office of Sports Information credits Biggs with four interceptions, one for which he was not credited, as video review of the VUU contest is not yet complete as it is pending CIAA statistical approval.

 

Fill In?...Maybe Not...WSSU placekicker Matt Hind, who assumed the Rams' punting duties following the injury to two-time All-CIAA punter Chad Oakley has been extraordinary in a back-up role as he is currently ranked fourth in the CIAA in punting.  Hind is averaging 37.8 yards per kick and is tied for the longest punt in the conference this season with (ECSU's Kevin Dodson), a 64-yarder which he booted following a high snap.  Despite the poor snap which forced him to drop back 15 yards deeper than normal, Hind booted the 64-yarder (from the line of scrimmage) down inside his opponent's 15-yard line.  He is a perfect 7-for-7 this season on his field goal attempts and has missed only three extra points (14-of-17).

 

Third Down Conversions...The Rams are 29 of 82 on third down this season.  WSSU is turning in a third-down conversion percentage of 35.4% on the season.  The Rams are currently ranked second in the CIAA in 3rd-down conversion percentage behind N.C. Central (36.8%).  WSSU is 1-for-4 on fourth down this season as they have posted a 25.0% conversion rate on fourth down in 2005, ranking ninth in the conference ahead of North Carolina Central University who is 2-for-9 this season on fourth down for a conversion percentage of 25.0%. 

 

Fumble Fingers?...The Rams may have a fumble problem this season.  Through six games of the 2005 season, the Rams have recorded 12 total fumbles for an average of 1.71 fumbles per contest.  Even more disheartening is the fact the Rams have lost possession of nine of those 10 fumbles as the Rams have given away 83.3% of all the fumbles that they have committed. 

 

Spreading It Around...This season, through six games, the Rams have spread the ball around well.  Monte Purvis has thrown the ball to seven receivers this season.  He has thrown only two touchdown passes, but has hit seven total receivers, and has hit six of those receivers multiple times in 2005 (only Jemaine Mack has a lone reception)

 

Blocking Kicks...The Rams are up to their old tricks again.  Versus Elizabeth City State, WSSU blocked a pair of kicks, and has blocked four kicks thus far in 2005.  The Rams have a history of blocking kicks as WSSU holds the NCAA record for the most blocked kicks in one season with 27 total blocked kicks.  During the 1986 season, the Rams blocked 16 punts, seven field goals and four point-after tries for a total of 27 blocked kicks.  WSSU is also tied for another NCAA record with Southeastern Louisiana University as both schools have turned in games where they blocked five opponent's punts.  On October 4th, 1986, the Rams blocked five North Carolina Central University punts, thus tying them for the NCAA all-time record.

 

It Took FOREVER...The Elizabeth City State game, a three-hour, 25-minute marathon was the Rams' longest, non-television broadcast game in over three years.  The last time a game that was not broadcast on television took longer than three-hours and 20-minutes was the Rams 30-26 loss in four overtimes versus Fayetteville State on Homecoming Weekend during the 2002 season.  That contest took three hours and 37 minutes.

 

Getting Into The Backfield...The Rams' new 3-5-3 defensive formation is causing problems for WSSU's opponents.  If one needs proof of this, one needs to look no further than September 17th's stat sheet as the Rams put severe pressure on ECSU's pair of quarterbacks.  The Rams recorded nine tackles for loss and recorded three sacks.  In addition to those startling numbers, the Rams hurried the pair of Viking passers three times.  When the Viking QB's finally got the ball into the air, the Rams were there as well, breaking up four passes, picking off three of them.  Nathaniel Biggs had a pair of picks in the Rams' 24-23 victory.

 

203 And Three, In Only Three, And Next Week, It Was Jed...WSSU running back Martin Hicks seems to be up to his old tricks again as he has put together back-to-back rushing performances that remind many people of the past two seasons when he led the CIAA in rushing.  Three weekends ago Hicks recorded 203 yards and scored three second-quarter touchdowns as he led the Rams to a 31-0 win over Virginia Union.  What is even more impressive is that he only played three quarters in the game as he sat out the fourth quarter.  Hicks nearly broke his career high in yardage as he tallied 203 yards.  His career high is 204 yard rushing.  Two weeks ago, his running mate, Jed Bines recorded 181 yards in rushing offense, paving the way for Martin Hicks' three touchdowns in the Rams' 26-24 come-from-behind victory.

 

Plugging The Gaps...This season, the Rams are doing something that they did not do last season, and that is, stop the run.  Last season, the Rams ranked ninth (out of 11 teams) in rushing defense.  This season, the Rams are ranked fifth in rushing defense as they are only allowing 133.3 yards rushing per game and have given up only ten rushing touchdowns for an average of 1.42 rushing touchdowns per contest.

 

Upcoming Highlights...North Carolina Central comes to Bowman Gray looking to avenge 2003's 47-0 drubbing on national television (BET).  The Eagles defeated the Rams last season in Durham, NC on an extra play with 00:00 on the clock due to a last-second pass interference call against the Rams.  WSSU needs to earn the win to stay ahead of the Eagles, who as of press time, have only one loss in the CIAA's Western Division with the conference title race far from over.

 

Players To Watch (NCCU)...#4, defensive back Derrick Ray who has a team-high 43 tackles.  #8 wide receiver/quarterback Charles Futtrell who may or may not fill in as quarterback versus the Rams.  #12, quarterback Adrian Warren who is 85-for-163 passing this season for 1,217 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.  #80, wide receiver Torey Ross who leads the CIAA with 44 catches for 592 yards and six touchdonws.  #49, defensive end, Ronald Dowdy who has 31 tackles including a team-high 6.5 TFL's and four sacks.

 

For additional information on WSSU Athletics, contact the WSSU Office of Sports Information at (336) 750-2143 or log on to the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com