Nov. 18, 2008
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Winston-Salem State University Rams football team will close out the 2008 season on Saturday afternoon at Bowman Gray Stadium as they play host to the Spartans of Norfolk State University at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. Both teams look to end their 2008 campaigns with a win as two longtime rivals square off in a test of gridiron might.
Game Details...This Saturday's contest will mark the 11th, and final, game of the season for the Rams as they return home to close out the 2008 season on "Senior Day" against Norfolk State. The Rams and Spartans will kick off at 1:30 p.m. from Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. in what will mark the 22nd meeting between the two teams all-time. Both teams will look to end their season with a win as the Rams are coming off of a 23-16 loss at North Carolina Central last weekend in a contest that saw the Eagles score four times off of WSSU turnovers as the Rams had their two-game win streak snapped. The Spartans are riding a one-game losing streak as they too had a two-game win streak snapped last weekend when they fell in defeat to Delaware State 34-28, despite holding a 28-10 halftime advantage.
|
|
 |
The Event...The 11th, and final, game of the season for both teams and a contest that will again stokes the fires of an already burning rivalry as the game will mark the 22nd meeting all-time between the two teams in a rivalry that dates back to the first-ever meeting in 1971 in a contest that the Spartans won by a field goal, 17-14. The game will mark the first time that the Rams have faced the Spartans at Bowman Gray Stadium since WSSU's transition to the NCAA Division I level. NSU has not visited Winston-Salem since 1996 when both programs were members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and NCAA Division II. The contest will mark the final game in uniform for 13 WSSU seniors as the Rams will hold a senior recognition ceremony prior to kickoff that will honor the WSSU student-athletes who are competing in the final game of their WSSU careers.
Television Coverage...There is no local, regional, or national television coverage for the Rams' contest versus the Spartans yet the game may air, in a tape-delay format, on RAM TV on campus at WSSU next week. Highlights of the game will be made available to the local media immediately following the game. To obtain footage and highlights, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations.
The Rams On TV...Over the past six seasons (including 2008), the WSSU football team has appeared on television nine times and the Rams have posted a 6-3 mark while doing so. The Rams' 23-0 loss to Florida A&M on Oct.9 marks WSSU's only televised contest of the 2008 season.
WSSU Radio Coverage...This Saturday's contest will be available to listeners in the greater Winston-Salem and Piedmont Triad area live on WSNC 90.5 FM with Alan Chavous calling all of the play-by-play action and Kim Spears providing analysis. Sharrod Patterson will serve as the sideline reporter and chief engineer for the broadcast. In addition to the live radio broadcast, the game will be available worldwide on the Internet at WSSU.edu by clicking on the "Listen to WSNC" link.
Live Statistical Broadcast...A live statistical broadcast of the game, utilizing CSTV's Gametracker statistical software will be available on the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at WSSURams.com. Fans may access the live stats by visiting the WSSU football schedule page and clicking on the Gametracker link.
Setting The Scene...The Rams head into the contest on Saturday riding a one-game losing streak as the Rams saw their two game win streak broken last weekend at North Carolina Central. The loss to the Eagles evened the all-time series with NCCU at 21-21. The loss dropped the Rams to 3-7 on the season.
Despite entering into play this weekend with a 3-7 record, the Rams could just as easily be 7-3 as WSSU has lost four games by a combined total of only 30 points as they dropped decisions to North Carolina A&T (six point margin), Savannah State (three point margin), Morgan State (14 point margin) and North Carolina Central (7 point margin) this season.
The Series...The two teams will meet for the 22nd time ever. Norfolk State leads the series 10-8-3 as NSU has won the last two meetings between the two programs and three of the last five head-to-head meetings. NSU has earned five wins and a tie in the two teams' last 10 meetings all-time.
Weather Forecast...Saturday's contest is slated to be played in cold weather as the forecast calls for high temperatures of 44° with a low of 23° and a 10 percent chance of precipitation under partly cloudy skies with only a small chance (10 percent) of scattered showers. Humidity is slated to be 41 percent with winds out of the northwest at 14 miles per hour with a UV index of three (moderate). Sunrise will take place at 7:04 a.m. ET and sunset will be at 5:10 p.m. ET.
The Coaches...The Rams are coached by 16th-year head man Kermit Blount. Blount has posted an impressive 90-76-3 mark at WSSU and has led the Rams to a pair of conference (CIAA) titles (in 1999 and 2000). He has posted a 1-3-1 overall mark versus Norfolk State since taking over as head coach in 1993. Blount has faced NSU's fourth-year head coach Pete Adrian in a head-to-head contest twice posting a record of 0-2 versus Adrian. Blount will attempt to earn his second career victory over one of WSSU's most intense rivals on Saturday and will attempt to earn his first head-to-head win over Pete Adrian in the process.
The Spartans are led by fourth-year head coach Pete Adrian. Adrian has posted a 56-61-1 career record as a head coach and has posted a 20-24 record in his four seasons at Norfolk State. Adrian has faced the Rams and WSSU head coach Kermit Blount twice in head-to-head coaching matchups and has posted a perfect 2-0 record when doing so as he recorded wins in 2006 and 2007.
National Rankings...Neither the Rams nor the Spartans are ranked in either of the two major Division I-FCS football polls. The only MEAC team that is currently ranked is South Carolina State which checks in as of press time ranked 17th in the Sports Network Poll and ranked 17th in the Coaches' Poll.
Sitting In First Place...With his 27-26 victory over Delaware State on Nov. 8, Winston-Salem State University head football coach Kermit Blount became the winningest coach in WSSU football history. Blount, who is in his 16th season as the Rams' head coach, has posted an all-time mark of 90-76-3 and with his 90th victory moved into first place atop the WSSU all-time win chart, one victory ahead of legendary WSSU head coach, and current Director of Athletics at Florida A&M University, Bill Hayes.
Only Four Losing Seasons...Kermit Blount has recorded only four losing seasons during his 15 years at the head of the WSSU football program. Blount has posted 11 winning seasons and has posted three seasons with win totals of at least eight games. Blount's losing seasons came in 1996 (4-7), 2002 (4-6), 2004 (4-6), and 2006 (4-7). Over that span of 15 seasons, Blount has led the Rams to a pair of conference football titles (1999 and 2000). At the conclusion of the 2008 season, Blount will have been saddled with his fifth-ever losing season as the Rams head into the final action of the season on Saturday with a 3-7 overall record.
The Matchup...WSSU returns home for their final game of the season as they play host to the Norfolk State University Spartans on Nov. 22 at 1:30 p.m.
The meeting will be the 22nd meeting between the two programs all-time in a series that the Spartans lead 10-8-3.
Norfolk State has won the last two meetings between the two teams (in 2006 and 2007) as the Rams have not earned a win in the series since a 13-7 win in Winston-Salem, N.C. in 1996, which marks the last time that the Spartans have visited Winston-Salem, N.C. At the time the two teams were both members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
The largest WSSU win over NSU was by 19 points in a 25-6 victory that came in 1981. The largest NSU victory in the series was by a 28-point margin in a 42-14 victory that came in the 1975 season.
WSSU's longest win streak was a two-game span that came from 1987-88. The Rams have won back-to-back games over the Spartans only twice. NSU has the distinction of owning the longest winning streak in the series, a four-game span, that came from 1973-76.
The Spartans have won three of the last five meetings between the two teams as WSSU has posted a 1-3-1 record over the last five head-to-head matchups.
The two teams share common history as both programs were once part of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) before making the transition to the NCAA Division I level and moving into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Rams and Spartans met as CIAA foes 19 times before NSU moved to the MEAC in 1997. Over that span of CIAA membership, the Rams and Spartans posted an even 8-8-3 record versus one-another.
Seniors Say Goodbye...The Rams will bid farewell to 13 seniors who are appearing in their final game as members of the WSSU football team on Saturday. The Rams will watch 13 contributors suit up for the final time of their WSSU playing careers as WSSU will honor: #67 Bennie Barbour, #82 Bryant Bayne, #78 Joseph Blanks, #36 Herman Blount, #28 Roderick Fluellen, #59 Michael Helton, #24 David Irizarry, #20 Reginald Johnson, #22 Jamaine Mack, #10 DeRon Middleton, #13 Michael Scarbrough, #11 Justin Sherrod and #14 Brent Thomas as they participate in their last game as Rams.
The Book On WSSU...The Rams head into Saturday's contest sporting a 3-7 overall record (3-5 vs. MEAC opponents) and are riding a one-game losing streak after falling to N.C. Central last weekend 23-16. The loss snapped the Rams two-game win streak, WSSU's first two-game win streak of the 2008 season.
Despite back-to-back, season-defining wins over Hampton and Delaware State, WSSU is still having trouble putting points on the scoreboard as they are tallying only 16.3 points per game while surrendering 23.3 points per game to their opponents. The Rams, a team that have scored more than 20 points only three times in 2008 have won all three games in which they record at least 20 points.
The Rams have earned only 135 first downs and have given up 181 first downs to their opponents, a disparity of 51 first downs for an average deficit of 5.7 first downs per contest.
WSSU is led in rushing by Nicolas Cooper who has gained 377 yards on 81 attempts for an average of 4.7 yards per carry. Cooper is averaging 41.9 yards rushing per game and has tallied a trio of touchdowns.
Jarrett Dunston is leading the Rams in passing and has made eight consecutive starts for WSSU. Dunston has completed 66 of his 146 pass attempts (45.2 percent) for 902 yards, three touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Dunston has also rushed for 115 yards and nine touchdowns as he ranks fourth on the team in rushing. His nine touchdowns lead the Rams in not only rushing touchdowns, but total touchdowns.
Bryant Bayne leads the Rams in receiving with 353 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 26 catches. Unfortunately for WSSU Bayne was lost for the season in the Rams' victory over Howard. Freshman Dominique Fitzgerald is the active leader in receiving for the Rams with 209 yards on 15 catches for an average of 13.9 yards per catch.
Marcus Coates leads the Rams in tackles with 56 total takedowns on the season as he has earned 39 solo tackles and 17 assisted tackles. Coates has also tallied 3.5 sacks, five pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Most impressive on the defense is true freshman Stephen Young. Young, a player who has started four of the last six games for the Rams has amassed 40 total tackles (27 solo) 10 of which have been for loss (36 yards) with five sacks (27 yards), one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries as well as three quarterback hurries and one pass breakup.
The Book On Norfolk State...The Spartans (4-7) make their first trip to Winston-Salem, N.C. since the 1996 season, a season in which they fell in defeat to the Rams by the score of 13-7. They enter into Saturday's contest with a 4-7 overall record as they had their two-game win streak snapped last weekend as they surrendered an 18-point lead and lost to Delaware State in Norfolk, Va.
The Spartans have a pair of impressive runners, most impressive of which is redshirt sophomore tailback DeAngelo Bryant. Bryant has accumulated 874 yards rushing this season and has scored a team-leading nine touchdowns.
On the edges the Rams will need to be wary of redshirt senior wide receiver Jamar Johnson. The 6-4, 220-pound Johnson possesses prototypical NFL size and can cover ground in a hurry. He leads the team in catches with 42 and has earned 379 yards receiving this season. He is coming off of a two touchdown performance versus Delaware State last weekend.
Leading the offense is redshirt junior quarterback Dennis Brown. The UConn transfer is fifth in the MEAC in total offense with 167.5 yards per game. He has completed 138 of his 281 passes for 1,413 yards, 11 interceptions and eight touchdowns.
Special teams may well be the most impressive part of the NSU scoring machine as they enter the weekend ranked first in the nation (Division I-FCS) in punt return yardage. The Spartans have returned 12 punts for 237 yards for a national-best 19.8 return yards per punt.
Red Zone Woes...The Rams have allowed their opponents to score on 31 of their 40 trips into WSSU's red zone (77.5 percent). Opponents have recorded 23 TD's and eight FG's. In contrast, WSSU has converted on only 19 of 30 trips into their opponent's red zone (63.3 percent) with 17 TD's and two FG's.
However, over the span of the last three games, two of which have been WSSU victories, the Rams are an impressive 11 of 13 in the red zone as they posted a four-of-four performance at Delaware State, posted a four-of-five performance in the win over Hampton and scored on three of their four trips into the red zone in last weekend's loss at North Carolina Central.
Turf Time...WSSU's 27-26 win over Delaware State saw the Rams play on artificial turf for the first time since their 2007 Circle City Classic win over Florida A&M on Oct. 6 in the RCA Dome. WSSU posted a 2-2 record on turf last season as they earned wins over FAMU (RCA Dome) and Morgan State (in Baltimore) and fell in defeat at Howard (Washington, D.C.) and at South Carolina State (Orangeburg, S.C.) in their four games played on the artificial surface. This season the Rams are a perfect 1-0 on fake grass.
Special Teams Are Special...The Rams' special teams units were the key to WSSU's victory over Hampton on Nov. 1 as WSSU earned 198 yards of kick returns and saw David Irizarry return a missed FG for a touchdown.
Shortest Of The Season...Jarrett Dunston's 20-yard scoring run that marked WSSU's final points versus Hampton on Nov. 1 capped a two-play, 41-second, 20-yard scoring drive that was WSSU's shortest scoring drive of the season, breaking the previous shortest scoring drive of 1:11.
Fun Facts...In WSSU's three wins the Rams have scored 30 or more points twice, and have committed fewer turnovers than their opponents. In fact, in the first two WSSU wins the Rams did not commit a turnover. In all three wins, the Rams have committed less turnovers than their opponents.
Longest Play In History...David Irizarry's 106-yard missed field goal return for a touchdown on Nov. 1 marked the longest play in the history of WSSU football surpassing the previous long play, a 102-yard interception return for a defensive PAT by Raymond Barksdale (vs. Fayetteville State in 2002).
Bayne Breakout...Wide receiver Bryant Bayne recorded the first two 100-yard receiving games of his WSSU career in the Rams' games versus South Carolina State and Howard as he tallied 255 yards and two scores. Bayne's 150 receiving yards versus Howard on Oct. 4 marks the most individual receiving yardage for a WSSU receiver in the Rams' Division I era.
Bayne Broken...Unfortunately for the Rams, wide receiver Bryant Bayne's streak of 100-yard receiving games ended at two as Bayne sustained a severe, season-ending ankle injury on his final catch versus the Bison of Howard. The injury came following a 34-yard reception that moved the Rams down to the Howard nine yard line. Bayne pulled in the catch and was forced out of bounds after suffering what proved to be a fractured ankle.
Loving The Big Play...The Rams offense has recorded 27 plays of 20 yards or longer on the season with six of them going for touchdowns. WSSU recorded nine of their 20 total big plays in their Oct. 4 34-10 victory over Howard including plays of 81 yards (interception return), 40 yards (reception), 58 yards (reception), 45 yards (reception) and 41 yards (rush) among the nine plays of 20 yards or longer.
Injury Update...Players who are listed as OUT for Saturday's game are: Daniel Degraffenreid with a right knee injury; Jimmie Johnson with a left knee injury; Reginald Johnson with a left knee injury; Jonathan Kinzer with a left knee injury; Brandon McRae with a left wrist injury; Jaquin Sessoms with a left hand injury; Akiem Smart with a right knee injury; David Harris with a right elbow injury; Bryant Bayne with a left ankle injury and Greg Wilson with a left knee injury. Players listed as PROBABLE for Saturday's game are: Jarrett Dunston with a right fibula injury; Joe Blanks with a right ankle injury; and Michael Helton with a left ankle injury.
Understanding The Injury Chart...The Rams use the National Football League's injury chart model which separates injuries into four categories: (1) which indicates that a player will not play in the upcoming game and will not be dressed for the contest. (2) "Doutbful" which indicates that a player will have only a 25 percent chance of playing. (3) "Questionable" which indicates that a player will have a 50 percent chance of playing, and (4) "Probable" which indicates that a player has a 75 percent chance of playing.
Injury Information...Winston-Salem State University's Department of Athletics abides by HIPAA, a federal privacy act with regard to the release of injury information. WSSU athletes are required to sign a waiver before injury information is released to the media. If the athlete chooses to withhold that information, WSSU officials will be restricted to informing media members of their playing status (playing, probable, doubtful or out).
Devastating Injuries Continue...The Rams have lost their share of players to injury in 2008. In all, the Rams have sustained 14 season-ending injuries this season, many of them to players at key positions. WSSU has lost 79 total games to injuries to 23 different players.
Cooper Rolling...WSSU redshirt freshman running back Nic Cooper continues to impress as he enters into Saturday's contest with North Carolina Central averaging 4.7 yards per carry. As a team, the Rams average only 3.0 yards per play. Cooper outrushes his teammates, on average, by over one-and-a-half yards per play (+1.7 ypc). If WSSU's statistics were registered in the MEAC's cumulative statistics, Cooper would rank third in yards per carry behind Will Ford of South Carolina State (5.8 ypc) and Devan James of Delaware State (5.3 ypc).
Former Ram Playing Well In NFL...Former WSSU defensive end William Hayes is playing well in his first NFL season. Hayes, the 103rd overall selection by the Tennessee Titans (fourth selection of the fourth round) has appeared in five of the Titans' 10 games and has recorded seven tackles and a defended pass as Tennessee is the NFL's only unbeaten team at 10-0 overall. Hayes' best performance of the season came last weekend as he recorded a pair of solo tackles in the Titans' 24-14 road win over Jacksonville.
Turnover Trouble...The Rams have turned the ball over 24 times in 10 games. WSSU is averaging 2.4 turnovers per game, a stat that the WSSU coaching staff is working diligently to fix. In contrast, the Rams recorded only 20 total turnovers in the 2007 season for an average of 1.82 turnovers per contest.
Turnovers became glaringly apparent last weekend at North Carolina Central as the Eagles scored following all four of the Rams' turnovers. The Eagles recorded a pair of field goals following WSSU interceptions, recorded a field goal following a WSSU fumble and recorded a touchdown following a turnover on downs.
Young, Very Young...One glance at the WSSU depth chart and one would notice just how young the 2008 edition of the WSSU Rams are. The depth chart boasts five underclassmen starting on offense (three freshmen and two sophomores), and indicates three underclassmen starting on defense (two freshmen and one sophomore). Of the Rams' 22 starters, only seven are seniors. There are five seniors starting on offense and a pair of seniors starting on defense for WSSU.
In, But Not Completely...Though the Rams are considered a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, they are unable to compete for a championship until the 2011 season (per NCAA mandates). The Rams will again play a full slate of MEAC games but will be ineligible for a conference title, ineligible for postseason awards and will not be listed in the MEAC statistics at season's end.
The Transition Process Continues...In a drive to support rapid growth and attain higher visibility, the Board of Trustees at Winston-Salem State University approved a plan to seek reclassification of the school's athletic programs to compete at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level on Dec. 1, 2004. The Rams started the process with an exploratory year in 2005-06 and became official members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in 2006-07. The Rams enter into the third year of Division I-FCS football play in the fall of 2008 and will complete the reclassification process after the 2010-11 academic year.
Movin' On Up...The Rams, a long-time member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) at the Division II level made the jump to the nation's highest level of intercollegiate competition at the Division I level following great success during their 61 years of Division II membership. WSSU captured eight CIAA football titles and made four NCAA playoff appearances, the most recent of which came during the 1990 season.
Success At The Next Level...The change to the Division I level has had no ill affect on the Rams' success as WSSU posted a 6-4 record during their exploratory year (2005-06), posted a 4-7 record in their first full Division I year (2006-07) and completed their second year as a Division I member with a 6-5 record (2007-08).
First Division I Winning Season...With their convincing 35-10 win over the Eagles of North Carolina Central on Nov. 10, 2007, the Rams earned their first winning season at the Division I level. WSSU recorded six wins during the 2007 season, the most wins for the Rams since making the jump from NCAA Division II to Division I.
Program History...The 2008 season will be the 68th in Winston-Salem State University history. Through 67 years of play, WSSU owns a 343-257-21 (.554) record.
Student Athlete Contact...Home and cellular telephone numbers for student-athletes will not be provided and players have been instructed not to accept calls from media members without prior notice from the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations. Please do not attempt to make contact with WSSU student-athletes or coaches without scheduling the interview through the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations.
WSSU Football Practices...The WSSU football team practices on the dual-level practice field adjacent to the C.E. Gaines Center (cross over Wallace Street). In 2008, depending on completion, the Rams will practice at the new, state-of-the-art WSSU football practice facility adjacent to Bowman Gray Stadium and the WSSU Athletic Fieldhouse. Practices are open to the media and are the opportune time for lengthy print or television interviews. Practice times vary according to academic schedules, so please contact the Office of Athletic Media Relations and Assistant Director of Athletics, Chris Zona for the specifics.
Weekly Football Press Conference...The Winston-Salem State University football team will hold a weekly press conference/media day every Wednesday during the season at 11:00 a.m. in the Media and Hospitality Lounge of the WSSU Athletic Fieldhouse, located on the upper level of the WSSU Athletic Fieldhouse. The weekly press conference is open to any member of the working media. The first press conference of the season will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 3 with the remainder of the weekly press conferences to be held every Wednesday prior to a Saturday game. The remaining press conferences will occur on Sept. 10, 17, and 24 and Oct. 1, 22, and 29 and Nov. 5, 12 and 19. The only exception to the 2008 weekly press conference schedule will be the week of the Rams' Oct. 9 contest at Florida A&M. Due to time constraints imposed by travel, the Rams will not hold a weekly press conference the week of Oct. 5-11. At all weekly press conferences head coach Kermit Blount and select players will be on hand to give general comments and field questions. Requests for the attendance of specific players must be made no later than Monday at 11:00 a.m. prior to the upcoming press conference. Following the press conference, a complimentary lunch will be served to all members of the working media.
Mid-Week Interviews...All interviews with Winston-Salem State University football student-athletes and coaches should be arranged through Chris Zona in the Office of Athletic Media Relations. Please make interview arrangements at least 24 hours in advance. Most interviews will be arranged to start prior to practice or, with time permitting, will be scheduled to take place on the Rams' weekly media day (Wednesday). Players will not do interviews on game day, except for postgame interviews. Telephone interviews may also be arranged through the Office of Athletic Media Relations. For additional information on WSSU's weekly schedule, please refer to page two of the weekly media notes issued by the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations.
Official Web Site...Parents, fans, and alumni from around the world can tune into Winston-Salem State University football on the official Internet site of Winston-Salem State University athletics, WSSURAMS.com. In addition to having all the up-to-date information on WSSU athletics, all games broadcast on WSNC 90.5 FM radio will air live on the Rams' website as well.
