Oct. 31, 2006
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Rams of Winston-Salem State University (3-6 overall) return home to face the Falcons of Saint Augustine's College (4-5 overall) at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in the Rams' final home contest of the 2006 season as WSSU looks to close out the home portion of their schedule with a 2-2 record.
Kickoff...1:30 pm, Eastern Standard Time.
Venue...Bowman Gray Stadium, with a capacity of 18,000 in
The Event...The tenth game of the 2006 season for the Rams, this weekend's contest will mark the first time in four weeks that the Rams return to the friendly confines of Bowman Gray Stadium. The contest will mark the 22nd meeting between the two teams and may very well mark the final game between the two former CIAA-rivals due to WSSU's transition to the Division I-AA level.
Television Coverage...There is no national television coverage for this contest versus the Falcons. However, the game may air on RAM TV on campus at WSSU in a tape-delay format pending the resolution of logistical television/filming issues. For additional information, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations.
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 Maurice "Big Mo" Stanfield calling all the play-by-play action and L.A. Batchelor providing the color commentary, as well as live nationally on the internet at www.WSSU.edu by clicking on the link: "Listen to WSNC." The Falcons' will air the game on WAUG Radio on the AM dial at 750. Fans can also listen to the game on
Live Statistical Broadcast Online...A live statistical broadcast of the game, utilizing CSTV's "Gametracker" statistical software will be available on the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com. Fans may access the live stats by visiting the WSSU Football schedule page and clicking on the "Gametracker" link.
Weather Forecast...Saturday's contest is set to be played in good weather as the forecast calls for high temperatures of 68 degrees with a low of 51 degrees and only a 20% chance of precipitation. Humidity is slated to be 60% with winds out of the south at eight miles per hour with a UV index of four (moderate).
Setting The Scene...The match up between the Rams and Falcons will mark the 22nd time the two teams have met. The Rams are coming off of a 13-3 loss to the 17th-ranked Pirates of Hampton University in
The Coaches...The Rams are coached by 14th-year man Kermit Blount. Blount has posted an impressive 80-63-3 record at WSSU and led the Rams to two CIAA titles (1999 and 2000). He has never lost to the Falcons of Saint Augustine's College (3-0) and has never lost to Michael Costa, the Falcons' head coach. The Falcons are coached by Michael Costa starts his fifth season as Saint Augustine's College coach after being named 2005 CIAA Coach of the Year and 2005 100% Wrong Club Coach of the Year. He won both awards after leading the Falcons to an 8-2 overall mark, including an 8-0 start, in 2005. He has never beaten the Rams and has never beaten WSSU head coach Kermit Blount.
Next Up...The Rams will return home to the road to face the Norfolk State University Spartans as the Rams close out the 2006 football season. The meeting will be the first contest between the two teams in a decade as the last game between the two familiar foes came in 1996 when WSSU won 13-7 in
2005 Results...The Rams are coming off of a 2005 season in which they posted a 6-4 record overall (6-1 CIAA) and narrowly missed a CIAA title-game appearance. The Falcons finished 2005 with an 8-2 record and a third-place finish in the CIAA with a 5-2 CIAA mark. The Rams won the head-to-head matchup versus the Falcons on November 4, 2005 when they defeated
Rankings...The Rams are not ranked in the Division I-AA polls. The Falcons are not ranked the AFCA Division II polls.
The Last Meeting...The last meeting between the two teams came on November 4, 2006 when the Rams earned a 35-33 victory at Bowman Gray Stadium. In that game, the Rams were the beneficiary of 105 yards from running back Jed Bines and saw DeRon Middleton's 74-yard interception return for a touchdown seal the win in the fourth quarter of play. WSSU running back Martin Hicks had a touchdown in the game as well as a pair of TD's from Bines. Middleton and tight end Stan Wright each had scores as well.
The Series...
A Win This Week Would...
...give the Rams their fourth win of the 2006 season and move
...increase the Rams' win streak to one game.
...give WSSU head coach Kermit Blount his 81st win at WSSU pulling him into a tie with Thomas "Tank" Conrad for a second place tie on the WSSU all-time win list (behind only Bill Hayes with an all-time best 89 wins).
...earn the Rams their first win over a non-Division I opponent in 2006
...earn the Rams their fourth win as an NCAA Division I-AA program.
...drop the Falcons to 4-6 this season.
...pull current WSSU head coach Kermit Blount's overall record versus
...earn WSSU their fourth win over an opponent during the tenure of Director of Athletics, Dr. Chico Caldwell.
...give the Rams their second home win of the 2006 season (the other being WSSU's Homecoming win over Howard).
...snap the Falcons' one-game win streak.
A Loss This Week Would...
...drop
...increase
...give WSSU head coach Kermit Blount his 64th loss, putting him only 15 losses shy of the WSSU all-time loss record held by Thomas "Tank" Conrad (79 total).
...keep the Rams with only three wins since the start of the Rams' transition to NCAA Division I status (with wins over NC A&T, Howard, and
...move Saint Augustine's College to .500 at 5-5 on the season.
...earn Saint Augustine's College's coach, Michael Costa his first win over WSSU in four tries (0-3 currently).
...drop WSSU head coach Kermit Blount's record versus Saint Augustine's College to 1-3 .
...run WSSU's losing streak versus NCAA Division II teams to two games.
Freshman Five...Freshman running back Brandon McRae (#26) leads the Rams with five touchdowns, all coming by way of the ground. The last time that a freshman led the Rams in scoring was during the 2004 season when true freshman Jed Bines led the team with 74 points. Bines is academically ineligible this season and is slated to return in 2007.
Trickeration...Unconventional is something that WSSU head coach Kermit Blount is not. However, the Rams have incorporated trick plays into their repertoire this season. WSSU has run "The Reverse" three times, and has even tried the "Halfback Pass" once this season. The Rams were unsuccessful as Tionti Powell's pass fell incomplete on that particular halfback pass.
Snapping The Streak...The Falcons are looking to snap the Rams' streak of three consecutive wins over them. The Rams are undefeated against Saint Augustine's College since SAC reinstated football during the 2002 season. WSSU has never lost to Saint Augustine's College during the Kermit Blound coaching era.
Understanding The Injury Chart...The Rams use the National Football League's injury chart model which separates injuries into four categories: (1) "Out" which indicates that a player will not play in the upcoming game and will not be dressed for the contest. (2) "Doubtful" which indicates that a player will have only a 25% chance of playing. (3) "Questionable" which indicates that a player will have a 50% chance of playing, and (4) "Probable" which indicates that the player has a 75% chance of playing.
Lost To Injury...The Rams have lost five players to injury already this season, most of whom are likely not to return this year. Most recently WSSU lost defensive lineman Detron Hart to a cervical sprain. Hart was injured in the game versus Florida A&M. WSSU lost starting defensive lineman Quentin Jones to a knee injury that he sustained in the game versus South Carolina State University. After undergoing surgery on the injured knee, Jones was given a rehabilitation time of nine to 12 months and is lost for the season. Prior to Jones' injury WSSU lost starting wide receiver Michael Scarbrough, Jr. (redshirt sophomore) to a left tibia fracture. Scarbrough broke his left leg in practice and is out for at least another four to six weeks, and is expected not to return in 2006. He is currently in a walking boot and is moving around without crutches. Brandon Dow, WSSU's projected starting free safety was lost for six weeks after breaking his right wrist while making a tackle in practice. The injury required surgery and he has since rejoined the team, but has yet to play since being medically cleared by WSSU team physicians. WSSU has also lost Brandon McLellan and Lonnie Teasley to knee injuries as both are recovering from mid-summer surgeries. McLellan is recovering from patella tendon reconstruction on his left knee while Teasley is recovering from ACL reconstruction on his right knee. Their returns this season are doubtful.
WSSU Players To Watch...Junior quarterback #4 Monte Purvis (leads team in passing); senior tight end #81 Stan Wright (is being watched closely by the NFL scouts); redshirt freshman running back #26 Brandon McRae (leads the team in rushing); senior wide receiver #8 Brad Herring (has a catch in ten of the last 12 games); junior linebacker #33 Darrian Bynum (tenth on the team in tackles); junior linebacker #45 Thaddeus Griffin (first on team in tackles); junior right spur/cornerback #10 De'Ron Middleton (one interception, one fumble recovery); and senior left defensive end #90 Jason Holman.
12th MEAC Member...On July 20, 2006, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced that it will expand its membership to 12 members next year, as the league voted to admit Winston-Salem State University into the league beginning in 2007-08. "We are elated to welcome Winston-Salem into the MEAC family", said Commissioner Dennis Thomas. "Obviously we think that WSSU is an outstanding academic institution with an excellent athletics program." Winston-Salem State University is currently in the second year of its reclassification from Division II to NCAA Division I status. WSSU will begin a full MEAC schedule in all sports beginning in 2007-08. However they will not be eligible for MEAC Championship play until the 2010-11 football season. The addition of WSSU marks the first expansion for the MEAC since 1997, when Norfolk State University became the 11th member of the conference.
Withdrawn From School...WSSU kicker Marvin Umanzor missed an extra point versus Howard University running his streak of games with a missed kick to four. Umanzor was two of seven this season kicking field goals and had missed three of his 12 point-after tries this season. He withdrew from school the day before the Rams were scheduled to travel to Daytona Beach, Florida to face the Bethune-Cookman College Wildcats. Since then Chad Oakley, the Rams' fifth-year senior punter has taken over the placekicking duties.
A Perfect Four-For-Four...In addition to punting, the Rams' Chad Oakley has inherited the placekicking duties vacated by Marvin Umanzor following his withdrawal from school. Oakley has turned in a perfect four-for-four kicking performance since inheriting the duties three weekends ago as he has tallied field goals of 27, 29, 36, and 48 yards, recording his first points since his senior year in high school. He has also made all five of his point after touchdowns.
Going To Have A New Home...The Winston-Salem State University Rams will have a new home in 2007. On Wednesday, August 30, 2006 the Rams broke ground on a new 12,000 square-foot field house that will house all of the WSSU Athletic Department offices, a rehabilitation and sports medicine center, a new weight room, and a press deck with a high-definition video board. The $4.2 million dollar project is a collaborative effort between Winston-Salem State University and the City of Winston-Salem (the Winston-Salem Sports and Entertainment Complex).
Its About The Rush...The Rams are 1-6 in 2006 when they do not have a player record at least 100 yards rushing in a contest. Last season the Rams posted a 6-4 record when a running back had at least 100 yards rushing. WSSU's game versus Catawba was the first time in 13 games that the Rams did not have a 100-yard rusher, snapping a streak that dated back to the 2004 season. Tionti Powell was the Rams' leading rusher with 59 yards on 13 carries in that streak-snapping game. The Rams recorded their first 100-yard rusher of the season versus South Carolina State as running back Tionti Powell eclipsed the 100-yard rushing plateau.
To The House...Corey Swinnie's 35-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown versus Howard University marked the first time that the Rams' defense scored since De'Ron Middleton's 74-yard interception return for a touchdown against Saint Augustine's College on November 4, 2005. It also marked the first time since the Rams' transition to Division I that the Rams returned a fumble for a touchdown.
Its Been Awhile...The last time that the Rams defeated a team that was ranked in the AFCA Coaches' Poll was during the 2003 season when WSSU defeated then-#19 Fort Valley State University in Macon, GA by the score of 27-21. Since that time, the Rams have fallen to five ranked opponents.
Only Two...The Rams will play only two non-Division I teams this season as they face off against only Catawba College (lost on August 26 by the score of 21-7) and Saint Augustine's College (November 4). The Rams will face nine Division I-AA programs this season, including three teams that are currently ranked or receiving votes in the Division I-AA AFCA Coaches' Poll (Hampton and Coastal Carolina who are ranked; SC State who is receiving votes). WSSU faces four different conferences this season in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (seven times), the Big South (once), the South Atlantic Conference (once), and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (once). The Rams also faced one independent team in the Tigers of Savannah State University.
A Flag On The Play...The Rams have committed 62 penalties this season, resulting in 523 yards for their opposition. In the game versus North Carolina A&T, the Rams gave the Aggies three consecutive third-down conversions due to penalties on the same drive resulting in North Carolina A&T's first touchdown of the game. Versus Florida A&M the Rams gave the Rattlers a key first down due to a roughing the passer call that ultimately resulted in a FAMU touchdown. Penalties have cost the Rams nine automatic first downs through seven games of the 2006 football season.
Outside of North Carolina...The Rams' first battle outside of the State of North Carolina was on September 23 as the Rams traveled to Tallahassee, FL to face the Florida A&M University Rattlers. The trip to Florida was the first of two road contests in the "Sunshine State" for the Rams, with the second being the Rams' contest at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, FL. The Rams, under Blount, had never faced a team from the State of Florida and WSSU had never played a game in the State of Florida until September 23. The Rams are currently 0-2 in the state of Florida and are 0-2 versus teams from the State of Florida. The Rams are currently 1-2 outside the state of North Carolina this season, recording their only non-NC win in the state of Georgia (beating Savannah State University in Savannah, GA by the score of 38-6).
Sack `Em...Through nine games of the season, the Rams are currently sporting 16 sacks. William Hayes leads WSSU with five and a half sacks and he is joined Michael Moore and Mario Dawson who have three add two sacks each, respectively. Four other WSSU roster players have at least a half-sack thus far in 2006. The Rams have saddled opponents with 76 yards lost on their 16 sacks.
Extending Success...Winston-Salem State University Director of Athletics, Dr. Chico Caldwell announced on September 6, 2006 that the WSSU Department of Athletics has extended the contract of head football coach Kermit Blount for three more years, taking him through the 2010 season. Blount's current contract took him through the 2007 season and with the extension, will ensure that he remains the head football coach at Winston-Salem State University for the next four seasons.
Kicking For Two Grand?...Senior punter Chad Oakley continues to prove that he is one of the most valuable players on the Rams' roster. Through nine games, Oakley has kicked 43 punts for 1898 yards for an average of 44.1 yards per kick. He has recorded seven touch backs, five fair catches, and has pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line seven times. He has not had a punt blocked since the 2004 season.
Nearly A 75-25 Breakdown...Despite a promise to try to pass the ball more, head coach Kermit Blount's Rams have run the ball 75.1% of the time thus far in the 2006 season. The Rams have 454 total plays on offense, with 341 of them being rushing attempts. WSSU has thrown only 113 passes on the season, 48 of which have been caught for positive yardage. The Rams have recorded 14 rushing touchdowns and four passing TD's. Quarterback Monte Purvis has nearly as many rushing touchdowns (two) as he does passing touchdowns (three).
Punting His Way To The League?...Winston-Salem State University punter Chad Oakley may very well be punting himself into the National Football League. Oakley is being watched closely by several professional football organizations as he has tallied 43 punts for 1898 yards for an average of 44.1 yards per punt, and more impressively, has not had a punt blocked since 2004.
Pulling Double Duty...WSSU senior wide receiver Joshua Crawford pulls double-duty as both a wideout and a kick returner. Crawford has recorded 12 catches for 243 yards this season and leads the Rams with a pair of receiving touchdowns. He also has returned 17 kicks for 197 yards to lead the Rams. Crawford averages 11.6 yards per kick return.
Crazy Logic...Often, in the world of sports, the team that scores first wins. Not so with the Rams as WSSU has scored first in seven of their nine games. Unfortunately, for the Rams, WSSU has lost four of those games where they score on their opponent first (3-4 when scoring first).
Finally, More Than 100...Until two weekends ago and Monte Purvis' 112 yards passing performance, the Rams had turned in seven consecutive games with less than 100 net yards passing. Until that game versus Savannah State WSSU had not turned in a 100-yard passing game, as a team, since a 126-yard passing game versus Saint Augustine's College last season, a span of seven games.
Kickoff...1:30 pm, Eastern Standard Time.
Venue...Bowman Gray Stadium, with a capacity of 18,000 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The Event...The tenth game of the 2006 season for the Rams, this weekend's contest will mark the first time in four weeks that the Rams return to the friendly confines of Bowman Gray Stadium. The contest will mark the 22nd meeting between the two teams and may very well mark the final game between the two former CIAA-rivals due to WSSU's transition to the Division I-AA level.
Television Coverage...There is no national television coverage for this contest versus the Falcons. However, the game may air on RAM TV on campus at WSSU in a tape-delay format pending the resolution of logistical television/filming issues. For additional information, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations.
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 Maurice "Big Mo" Stanfield calling all the play-by-play action and L.A. Batchelor providing the color commentary, as well as live nationally on the internet at www.WSSU.edu by clicking on the link: "Listen to WSNC." The Falcons' will air the game on WAUG Radio on the AM dial at 750. Fans can also listen to the game on Saint Augustine's website, www.STAUG.edu. Derek Greenfield is the play-by-play announcer and Rodney Lindsay will provide commentary.
Live Statistical Broadcast Online...A live statistical broadcast of the game, utilizing CSTV's "Gametracker" statistical software will be available on the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com. Fans may access the live stats by visiting the WSSU Football schedule page and clicking on the "Gametracker" link.
Weather Forecast...Saturday's contest is set to be played in good weather as the forecast calls for high temperatures of 68 degrees with a low of 51 degrees and only a 20% chance of precipitation. Humidity is slated to be 60% with winds out of the south at eight miles per hour with a UV index of four (moderate).
Setting The Scene...The match up between the Rams and Falcons will mark the 22nd time the two teams have met. The Rams are coming off of a 13-3 loss to the 17th-ranked Pirates of Hampton University in Hampton, VA last weekend. The Falcons are riding a one-game win streak as they defeated the Broncos of Fayetteville State University last Saturday by the score of 15-3 earning SAC their first win over FSU since restarting the football program in 2002.
The Coaches...The Rams are coached by 14th-year man Kermit Blount. Blount has posted an impressive 80-63-3 record at WSSU and led the Rams to two CIAA titles (1999 and 2000). He has never lost to the Falcons of Saint Augustine's College (3-0) and has never lost to Michael Costa, the Falcons' head coach. The Falcons are coached by Michael Costa starts his fifth season as Saint Augustine's College coach after being named 2005 CIAA Coach of the Year and 2005 100% Wrong Club Coach of the Year. He won both awards after leading the Falcons to an 8-2 overall mark, including an 8-0 start, in 2005. He has never beaten the Rams and has never beaten WSSU head coach Kermit Blount.
Next Up...The Rams will return home to the road to face the Norfolk State University Spartans as the Rams close out the 2006 football season. The meeting will be the first contest between the two teams in a decade as the last game between the two familiar foes came in 1996 when WSSU won 13-7 in Winston-Salem, NC.
2005 Results...The Rams are coming off of a 2005 season in which they posted a 6-4 record overall (6-1 CIAA) and narrowly missed a CIAA title-game appearance. The Falcons finished 2005 with an 8-2 record and a third-place finish in the CIAA with a 5-2 CIAA mark. The Rams won the head-to-head matchup versus the Falcons on November 4, 2005 when they defeated Saint Augustine's 35-33 in Winston-Salem, NC.
Rankings...The Rams are not ranked in the Division I-AA polls. The Falcons are not ranked the AFCA Division II polls.
The Last Meeting...The last meeting between the two teams came on November 4, 2006 when the Rams earned a 35-33 victory at Bowman Gray Stadium. In that game, the Rams were the beneficiary of 105 yards from running back Jed Bines and saw DeRon Middleton's 74-yard interception return for a touchdown seal the win in the fourth quarter of play. WSSU running back Martin Hicks had a touchdown in the game as well as a pair of TD's from Bines. Middleton and tight end Stan Wright each had scores as well.
The Series...Winston-Salem State University and the Falcons of Saint Augustine's College are dead even in the all-time series with 10 wins each. The teams have met 21 times with each school earning ten wins and one tie. This contest will mark the proverbial "rubber match" between the two schools.
A Win This Week Would...
...give the Rams their fourth win of the 2006 season and move Winston-Salem State to 4-6 overall.
...increase the Rams' win streak to one game.
...give WSSU head coach Kermit Blount his 81st win at WSSU pulling him into a tie with Thomas "Tank" Conrad for a second place tie on the WSSU all-time win list (behind only Bill Hayes with an all-time best 89 wins).
...earn the Rams their first win over a non-Division I opponent in 2006
...earn the Rams their fourth win as an NCAA Division I-AA program.
...drop the Falcons to 4-6 this season.
...pull current WSSU head coach Kermit Blount's overall record versus Saint Augustine's College to 4-0.
...earn WSSU their fourth win over an opponent during the tenure of Director of Athletics, Dr. Chico Caldwell.
...give the Rams their second home win of the 2006 season (the other being WSSU's Homecoming win over Howard).
...snap the Falcons' one-game win streak.
A Loss This Week Would...
...drop Winston-Salem State University to 3-7 on the season.
...increase Saint Augustine's College's win streak to two game.
...give WSSU head coach Kermit Blount his 64th loss, putting him only 15 losses shy of the WSSU all-time loss record held by Thomas "Tank" Conrad (79 total).
...keep the Rams with only three wins since the start of the Rams' transition to NCAA Division I status (with wins over NC A&T, Howard, and Savannah State).
...move Saint Augustine's College to .500 at 5-5 on the season.
...earn Saint Augustine's College's coach, Michael Costa his first win over WSSU in four tries (0-3 currently).
...drop WSSU head coach Kermit Blount's record versus Saint Augustine's College to 1-3 .
...run WSSU's losing streak versus NCAA Division II teams to two games.
Freshman Five...Freshman running back Brandon McRae (#26) leads the Rams with five touchdowns, all coming by way of the ground. The last time that a freshman led the Rams in scoring was during the 2004 season when true freshman Jed Bines led the team with 74 points. Bines is academically ineligible this season and is slated to return in 2007.
Trickeration...Unconventional is something that WSSU head coach Kermit Blount is not. However, the Rams have incorporated trick plays into their repertoire this season. WSSU has run "The Reverse" three times, and has even tried the "Halfback Pass" once this season. The Rams were unsuccessful as Tionti Powell's pass fell incomplete on that particular halfback pass.
Snapping The Streak...The Falcons are looking to snap the Rams' streak of three consecutive wins over them. The Rams are undefeated against Saint Augustine's College since SAC reinstated football during the 2002 season. WSSU has never lost to Saint Augustine's College during the Kermit Blound coaching era.
Understanding The Injury Chart...The Rams use the National Football League's injury chart model which separates injuries into four categories: (1) "Out" which indicates that a player will not play in the upcoming game and will not be dressed for the contest. (2) "Doubtful" which indicates that a player will have only a 25% chance of playing. (3) "Questionable" which indicates that a player will have a 50% chance of playing, and (4) "Probable" which indicates that the player has a 75% chance of playing.
Lost To Injury...The Rams have lost five players to injury already this season, most of whom are likely not to return this year. Most recently WSSU lost defensive lineman Detron Hart to a cervical sprain. Hart was injured in the game versus Florida A&M. WSSU lost starting defensive lineman Quentin Jones to a knee injury that he sustained in the game versus South Carolina State University. After undergoing surgery on the injured knee, Jones was given a rehabilitation time of nine to 12 months and is lost for the season. Prior to Jones' injury WSSU lost starting wide receiver Michael Scarbrough, Jr. (redshirt sophomore) to a left tibia fracture. Scarbrough broke his left leg in practice and is out for at least another four to six weeks, and is expected not to return in 2006. He is currently in a walking boot and is moving around without crutches. Brandon Dow, WSSU's projected starting free safety was lost for six weeks after breaking his right wrist while making a tackle in practice. The injury required surgery and he has since rejoined the team, but has yet to play since being medically cleared by WSSU team physicians. WSSU has also lost Brandon McLellan and Lonnie Teasley to knee injuries as both are recovering from mid-summer surgeries. McLellan is recovering from patella tendon reconstruction on his left knee while Teasley is recovering from ACL reconstruction on his right knee. Their returns this season are doubtful.
WSSU Players To Watch...Junior quarterback #4 Monte Purvis (leads team in passing); senior tight end #81 Stan Wright (is being watched closely by the NFL scouts); redshirt freshman running back #26 Brandon McRae (leads the team in rushing); senior wide receiver #8 Brad Herring (has a catch in ten of the last 12 games); junior linebacker #33 Darrian Bynum (tenth on the team in tackles); junior linebacker #45 Thaddeus Griffin (first on team in tackles); junior right spur/cornerback #10 De'Ron Middleton (one interception, one fumble recovery); and senior left defensive end #90 Jason Holman.
12th MEAC Member...On July 20, 2006, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced that it will expand its membership to 12 members next year, as the league voted to admit Winston-Salem State University into the league beginning in 2007-08. "We are elated to welcome Winston-Salem into the MEAC family", said Commissioner Dennis Thomas. "Obviously we think that WSSU is an outstanding academic institution with an excellent athletics program." Winston-Salem State University is currently in the second year of its reclassification from Division II to NCAA Division I status. WSSU will begin a full MEAC schedule in all sports beginning in 2007-08. However they will not be eligible for MEAC Championship play until the 2010-11 football season. The addition of WSSU marks the first expansion for the MEAC since 1997, when Norfolk State University became the 11th member of the conference.
Withdrawn From School...WSSU kicker Marvin Umanzor missed an extra point versus Howard University running his streak of games with a missed kick to four. Umanzor was two of seven this season kicking field goals and had missed three of his 12 point-after tries this season. He withdrew from school the day before the Rams were scheduled to travel to Daytona Beach, Florida to face the Bethune-Cookman College Wildcats. Since then Chad Oakley, the Rams' fifth-year senior punter has taken over the placekicking duties.
A Perfect Four-For-Four...In addition to punting, the Rams' Chad Oakley has inherited the placekicking duties vacated by Marvin Umanzor following his withdrawal from school. Oakley has turned in a perfect four-for-four kicking performance since inheriting the duties three weekends ago as he has tallied field goals of 27, 29, 36, and 48 yards, recording his first points since his senior year in high school. He has also made all five of his point after touchdowns.
Going To Have A New Home...The Winston-Salem State University Rams will have a new home in 2007. On Wednesday, August 30, 2006 the Rams broke ground on a new 12,000 square-foot field house that will house all of the WSSU Athletic Department offices, a rehabilitation and sports medicine center, a new weight room, and a press deck with a high-definition video board. The $4.2 million dollar project is a collaborative effort between Winston-Salem State University and the City of Winston-Salem (the Winston-Salem Sports and Entertainment Complex).
Its About The Rush...The Rams are 1-6 in 2006 when they do not have a player record at least 100 yards rushing in a contest. Last season the Rams posted a 6-4 record when a running back had at least 100 yards rushing. WSSU's game versus Catawba was the first time in 13 games that the Rams did not have a 100-yard rusher, snapping a streak that dated back to the 2004 season. Tionti Powell was the Rams' leading rusher with 59 yards on 13 carries in that streak-snapping game. The Rams recorded their first 100-yard rusher of the season versus South Carolina State as running back Tionti Powell eclipsed the 100-yard rushing plateau.
To The House...Corey Swinnie's 35-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown versus Howard University marked the first time that the Rams' defense scored since De'Ron Middleton's 74-yard interception return for a touchdown against Saint Augustine's College on November 4, 2005. It also marked the first time since the Rams' transition to Division I that the Rams returned a fumble for a touchdown.
Its Been Awhile...The last time that the Rams defeated a team that was ranked in the AFCA Coaches' Poll was during the 2003 season when WSSU defeated then-#19 Fort Valley State University in Macon, GA by the score of 27-21. Since that time, the Rams have fallen to five ranked opponents.
Only Two...The Rams will play only two non-Division I teams this season as they face off against only Catawba College (lost on August 26 by the score of 21-7) and Saint Augustine's College (November 4). The Rams will face nine Division I-AA programs this season, including three teams that are currently ranked or receiving votes in the Division I-AA AFCA Coaches' Poll (Hampton and Coastal Carolina who are ranked; SC State who is receiving votes). WSSU faces four different conferences this season in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (seven times), the Big South (once), the South Atlantic Conference (once), and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (once). The Rams also faced one independent team in the Tigers of Savannah State University.
A Flag On The Play...The Rams have committed 62 penalties this season, resulting in 523 yards for their opposition. In the game versus North Carolina A&T, the Rams gave the Aggies three consecutive third-down conversions due to penalties on the same drive resulting in North Carolina A&T's first touchdown of the game. Versus Florida A&M the Rams gave the Rattlers a key first down due to a roughing the passer call that ultimately resulted in a FAMU touchdown. Penalties have cost the Rams nine automatic first downs through seven games of the 2006 football season.
Outside of North Carolina...The Rams' first battle outside of the State of North Carolina was on September 23 as the Rams traveled to Tallahassee, FL to face the Florida A&M University Rattlers. The trip to Florida was the first of two road contests in the "Sunshine State" for the Rams, with the second being the Rams' contest at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, FL. The Rams, under Blount, had never faced a team from the State of Florida and WSSU had never played a game in the State of Florida until September 23. The Rams are currently 0-2 in the state of Florida and are 0-2 versus teams from the State of Florida. The Rams are currently 1-2 outside the state of North Carolina this season, recording their only non-NC win in the state of Georgia (beating Savannah State University in Savannah, GA by the score of 38-6).
Sack `Em...Through nine games of the season, the Rams are currently sporting 16 sacks. William Hayes leads WSSU with five and a half sacks and he is joined Michael Moore and Mario Dawson who have three add two sacks each, respectively. Four other WSSU roster players have at least a half-sack thus far in 2006. The Rams have saddled opponents with 76 yards lost on their 16 sacks.
Extending Success...Winston-Salem State University Director of Athletics, Dr. Chico Caldwell announced on September 6, 2006 that the WSSU Department of Athletics has extended the contract of head football coach Kermit Blount for three more years, taking him through the 2010 season. Blount's current contract took him through the 2007 season and with the extension, will ensure that he remains the head football coach at Winston-Salem State University for the next four seasons.
Kicking For Two Grand?...Senior punter Chad Oakley continues to prove that he is one of the most valuable players on the Rams' roster. Through nine games, Oakley has kicked 43 punts for 1898 yards for an average of 44.1 yards per kick. He has recorded seven touch backs, five fair catches, and has pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line seven times. He has not had a punt blocked since the 2004 season.
Nearly A 75-25 Breakdown...Despite a promise to try to pass the ball more, head coach Kermit Blount's Rams have run the ball 75.1% of the time thus far in the 2006 season. The Rams have 454 total plays on offense, with 341 of them being rushing attempts. WSSU has thrown only 113 passes on the season, 48 of which have been caught for positive yardage. The Rams have recorded 14 rushing touchdowns and four passing TD's. Quarterback Monte Purvis has nearly as many rushing touchdowns (two) as he does passing touchdowns (three).
Punting His Way To The League?...Winston-Salem State University punter Chad Oakley may very well be punting himself into the National Football League. Oakley is being watched closely by several professional football organizations as he has tallied 43 punts for 1898 yards for an average of 44.1 yards per punt, and more impressively, has not had a punt blocked since 2004.
Pulling Double Duty...WSSU senior wide receiver Joshua Crawford pulls double-duty as both a wideout and a kick returner. Crawford has recorded 12 catches for 243 yards this season and leads the Rams with a pair of receiving touchdowns. He also has returned 17 kicks for 197 yards to lead the Rams. Crawford averages 11.6 yards per kick return.
Crazy Logic...Often, in the world of sports, the team that scores first wins. Not so with the Rams as WSSU has scored first in seven of their nine games. Unfortunately, for the Rams, WSSU has lost four of those games where they score on their opponent first (3-4 when scoring first).
Finally, More Than 100...Until two weekends ago and Monte Purvis' 112 yards passing performance, the Rams had turned in seven consecutive games with less than 100 net yards passing. Until that game versus Savannah State WSSU had not turned in a 100-yard passing game, as a team, since a 126-yard passing game versus Saint Augustine's College last season, a span of seven games.
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