Oct. 18, 2005

Winston-Salem, NC - The Winston-Salem State University Rams, fresh off of Saturday's 20-17 defeat at the hands of the Eagles of North Carolina Central University will look to rebound into the win column this Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium as they play host to the 0-8 Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University at 6:00 pm in a CIAA league football contest.

 

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 Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University.  The Rams next televised game will be October 29, 2005 versus Saint Augustine's College.  That game will be broadcast live nationally on ESPN U.  Kickoff is still slated for 2:00 pm, yet may be moved.  Log on to the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com for television broadcast updates. 

 

Radio Coverage...This weekend's contest will be available to listeners in the greater Winston-Salem, NC area live on WSNC, 90.5 FM 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."  Johnson C. Smith University will broadcast the game on the Internet at the following address:  www.JCSU.edu/athletics/broadcasts.

 

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 Golden Bulls marks the ninth game of the season for both teams.  WSSU is coming off of a heartbreaking 20-17 loss to North Carolina Central at Bowman Gray Stadium last Saturday.  With the loss, the Rams dropped to 4-1 in the CIAA and fell into a tie for second place.  The Golden Bulls fell in defeat for the eighth time in 2005 as they came up short to Fayetteville State by the score of 34-23.   

 

The Series...The Rams and Golden Bulls have met 59 times since the 1945 season with the Rams holding the advantage in the all-time series as WSSU has posted a 36-20-3 record overall versus JCSU for a winning percentage of 61%.  The largest WSSU win all-time came in 1989, when WSSU defeated JCSU by 74 points, winning 80-6.  Saturday's meeting will be the 60th meeting between the two teams since first meeting in 1945.  The Rams longest win streak versus the Golden Bulls is a 13-game streak from 1983-1995.  The largest JCSU win versus the Rams was by 47 points (53-6) during the 1975 season.  The longest JCSU win streak versus the Rams was a nine-game streak from 1962-1970.  The Rams have won the last eight games, and last season's 31-20 win was the first time in four meetings that WSSU did not shut out JCSU (WSSU blanked JCSU from 2001-03).

 

Fun Facts and Numbers...Since coming to Winston-Salem State University in 1993 to coach his alma mater, head football coach Kermit Blount is 11-1-0 versus the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith.  He has faced JCSU head coach Daryl McNeil two times (two coaching tenures), posting a 1-1 record versus his teams over that span.  Blount's only loss to JCSU as a head coach came in 1996 when the Rams lost 14-6 in Charlotte, NC.

 

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 eight games for the Rams going 51 of 92 passing for 657 total yards.  He has thrown a pair of TD passes and has been intercepted six times.  He has been sacked a CIAA-worst 32 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 37 games during his Ram career, starting 24 while Darrian appeared in eight games his freshman year in 2004, starting six, and has started all eight games in 2005.  Darrian is currently tied for the team lead in tackles (with Thaddeus Griffin) with 38 (27 solo, 11 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 75-57-3 overall for a winning percentage of .555.  He has faced the Golden Bulls 12 times and has posted a record of 11-1 versus JCSU over that span, for a winning percentage of .916.  JCSU is led by Daryl McNeil, a four-year coaching veteran who is back for his second tenure at the head of the JCSU football team.  McNeil has posted a 10-18 overall record while at JCSU for a winning percentage of .357 and has posted a 20-30 overall record as a head football coach for an all-time winning percentage of .400.  The Golden Bulls are looking to earn a win to prevent their second consecutive winless season as JCSU currently has the longest football losing streak in NCAA Division II (22 games).

 

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 eight 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 25 pass break ups and eight interceptions through eight games and have given up only 10 passing plays of 20 yards or more.  Cornerbacks Maurice Reid and Demetrius Riv ers lead WSSU with six passes defended while Nathaniel Biggs has three interceptions (four after video confirmed another with CIAA Office approval pending).  The Rams are averaging exactly one interception per contest and have doubled their pick total from last season's four total interceptions.

 

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 3, 2005 when they traveled to Washington, DC to face MEAC member, and Division I-AA opponent Howard University.  WSSU wore the uniforms for the final time this season on October 8, 2005 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 the Russell Athletic 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.  Both of those championships came while under the guidance of current head coach, and WSSU alum, Kermit Blount.

 

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 recorded a lone 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 3, 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.  This past weekend versus NCCU the Rams did the exact same thing as they opened up an early 14-0 lead before falling in defeat on a fourth-quarter touchdown.

 

 

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 9, 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 honor is Hicks' third such award of the season while it is Blanks' first such honor and the first of his WSSU football career.

 

Scoring A Plenty...Winston-Salem State University running back Martin Hicks leads the CIAA in scoring as of October 17, 2005.  Hicks has tallied 74 points on the season for an average of 9.2 points scored per game.  He has 12 rushing touchdowns and successfully scored on a two-point conversion.  He currently, as of press time, has scored 18 more points than his nearest CIAA competitor.  Bowie State University's Glenn Thomas and Shaw's Reginald Price have each scored 56 points heading into this weekend's football action.

 

He's Money Baby...WSSU placekicker Matt Hind currently leads the CIAA in field goal percentage as he has yet to miss a field goal attempt this season.  The junior from Clemmons, NC is a perfect eight-for-eight on his field goals this season.  He has turned in a long field goal of 44 yards, and has won two games in then fourth quarter with successful field goal kicks.

 

Looking For Three Straight...WSSU running back Martin Hicks looks to lead the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association in rushing for the third consecutive year.  Hicks, who has led the conference in rushing the past two seasons, is only 11 yards off of the pace in 2005 despite having what many would categorize as "less than stellar" rushing performances versus Howard University and South Carolina State.  Hicks has 913 yards of rushing offense, and 864 net rushing yards.  He is averaging 108.0 yards per game and has scored 12 rushing touchdowns (he leads the CIAA in scoring as well).  Hicks is looking to secure his third straight 1,000-yard season in 2005 and he has two games to do so.  He only needs 136 net yards to crack the 1,000 yard plateau.

 

Two 1,000 Yard Rushers Again?...WSSU running backs Martin Hicks and Jed Bines look to complete yet another feat that no rushing duo has accomplished in CIAA...they look to both crack the 1,000 yard mark in the same season again.  The rushing tandem both rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2004 marking the first time in CIAA history that a pair of running backs from the same team cracked the 1,000 yard rushing plateau.  The duo has a chance to complete the same feat this season as Martin Hicks needs only 136 net yards of rushing offense and Jed Bines needs only 296 net yards of rushing in order to crack 1,000 yards rushing each.

 

JCSU Players To Watch...Despite being winless, the Golden Bulls are far from toothless.  #2 junior wide receiver Marquis Belton, #11 freshman quarterback Carlton Richardson, #6 senior defensive back George Pope, and #21 senior linebacker Chris Nelson are JCSU players to watch.

 

A Streak Not Worth Having...The Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University have a 22-game losing streak that dates back almost three seasons.  JCSU has not won a game since October 20, 2003 when they defeated the Livingstone College Blue Bears in Charlotte, NC by the score of 20-18.  Since that date, the Golden Bulls have amassed the longest losing streak in the nation.  The Rams have shut out the Golden Bulls three times during that span.  JCSU is ranked dead last in the black college football power rankings (54th overall).

 

Almost Got Them...The Golden Bulls are a much improved team in 2005 as they have yet to be shut out, following five shutouts from last season.  The Golden Bulls have played several close games this year and nearly defeated the Bulldogs of Bowie State University in Bowie, MD as they would drop the decision 12-9 on September 3, 2005.  The Golden Bulls largest loss this season was a 24-point defeat to Glenville State in 2005's season opener as JCSU fell in a 33-9 loss on August 27, 2005.

 

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, WSSU has had a pair of 100-yard rushers four times in the last five 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 18 turnovers while their opponents have recorded only 11 for a -7 turnover differential.

 

99 Problems, But Numbers Ain't One...The Rams are loaded...literally.  On August 27, 2005 versus Catawba, the Rams had 97 players dressed in uniform.  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 22, 2005 when they host Johnson C. Smith University at Bowman Gray Stadium in WSSU's second home game in Winston-Salem, NC after back-to-back-to-back road contests.

Monte Purvis Looks To Lead The Rams Back To A Win On Saturday Versus The Golden Bulls Of JCSU

 

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 five of 2005's seven contests.  Martin Hicks broke the drought versus ECSU as he tallied 155 yards and followed it up with two more 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 27, 2005.  WSSU has defended 33 opponent's passes thus far during the 2005 season (25 pass break up's and 7 interceptions).

 

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 29, 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 38th in the CIAA in tackles with 38.  He has tallied 27 solo tackles and 11 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 forced fumble each).

 

Injury Update...The 2005 Rams have faced several injuries already, and will face the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith 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 following a high ankle sprain).  E.J. Gilchrest (6'1", 195-lb, Fr.) has a high ankle sprain and just returned to full practice activity last week.  His status for the game versus JCSU 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 the second straight week for Saturday's game with a sore hamstring and is back to full-contact at practice.  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 93.3% in the red-zone. The Rams are an  impressive 14-for-15 in the red zone in 2005.  In 15 attempts, the Rams have recorded nine touchdowns (eight 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 14-for-15 in the red zone this season, however, their opponents are also turning in an impressive red-zone efficiency of 80.8% as well as they are 21-for-26 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 3, 2005.  The Rams saw the Bulldogs of South Carolina State turn in a stellar six-for-six outing inside the red zone on September 10, 2005 as well.  The Rams gave up 14 touchdowns (eight rushing, six passing) and four field goals over that three-game span.  In total in 2005, opponents are five of seven on field goal attempts inside the Rams' red zone as they have made five kicks and had a pair of kicks blocked.  They have also scored 16 touchdowns (nine rushing, seven passing) in 2005.

 

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 3) 20-6 and S. Carolina State (September 10) 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 a tie for 7th in the CIAA's scoring offensive ranks as they are averaging only 21.0 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 37.1 yard per punt average.  The Rams have a 32.6 yard per punt net average.  As well, Hind is a near-perfect 16-for-19 in his point-after tries on the season.  He hit a 20-yard field goal to win WSSU's game versus ECSU on September 17, 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 1, 2005 in Fayetteville, NC.  He is a perfect 8-for-8 on FG's this season as he has yet to miss.  He leads the CIAA in FG efficiency at 100%.

 

Where'd The Rushin' Go?...The Rams, who have led the CIAA in rushing yardage for the last six consecutive seasons, are currently, after eight games, ranked second in the conference in rushing.  The Rams have turned in, as of press time, 1,720 yards of rushing offense for an average of 215.0 yards per game rushing.  This is in stark contrast to the 2004 Rams who recorded 247.2 rushing yards per game last season (ranked first in the CIAA and eleventh 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 second in the CIAA in rushing with 108.0 yards per game.  His teammate Jed Bines is fourth in the CIAA with 100.6 yards rushing per game.  They both trail Bowie State University's Isaac Redman who is averaging 110.4 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 Elizabeth City State. 

 

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 tied for third in the CIAA in interceptions.  He is tied with Shaw's Devin Chatman and Elizabeth City State's Paul Crews for second lace in the conference 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 showed he clearly picked off his fourth pass of the season.  CIAA statistical approval is pending.  The CIAA interception leaders (Greg Toler and Donte Wise have five picks each).

 

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 sixth in the CIAA in punting.  Hind is averaging 37.4 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 8-for-8 this season on his field goal attempts and has missed only three extra points (16-of-19).

 

Third Down Conversions...The Rams are 33 of 96 on third down this season.  WSSU is turning in a third-down conversion percentage of 34.4% on the season.  The Rams are currently ranked third in the CIAA in 3rd-down conversion percentage behind N.C. Central (35.8%) and Fayetteville State (35.3%).  WSSU is 1-for-6 on fourth down this season as they have posted a 16.7% conversion rate on fourth down in 2005, ranking eleventh in the conference ahead of Virginia Union University who is 1-for-9 this season on fourth down for a conversion percentage of 11.1%. 

 

Fumble Fingers?...The Rams may have a fumble problem this season.  Through six games of the 2005 season, the Rams have recorded 16 total fumbles for an average of 2.00 fumbles per contest.  Even more disheartening is the fact the Rams have lost possession of 12 of those 16 fumbles as the Rams have given away 75.5% 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 nine different receivers this season.  He has thrown only two touchdown passes, but has hit nine total receivers, and he has hit six of those receivers multiple times (only Jemaine Mack, Oscar Goods and E.J. Gilchrest have lone receptions).

 

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 17'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.  A month 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 yards rushing (versus NCCU).  Three 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 over Fayetteville State University.

 

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 fourth in rushing defense as they are only allowing 130.5 yards rushing per game and have given up only eleven rushing touchdowns for an average of 1.375 rushing touchdowns per contest.

 

Upcoming Highlights...Following Saturday's game versus the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University, the Rams will have only one contest remaining in the 2005 regular season.  That contest, an October 29, 2005 game versus Saint Augustine's College is significant for several reasons as the Rams will be playing in their Homecoming game, and will also likely be facing an undefeated and nationally-ranked football team.  the Falcons are currently, as of press time, undefeated at 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the CIAA.

 

For additional information on WSSU football, 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