Nov. 30, 2008
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Winston-Salem State University football team may have wrapped up their 2008 season, but the work is far from over for the Rams. Coaches and players are hard at work not only on the recruiting trail and in the classroom, but in preparation for Spring Football and the 2009 season.
WSSU capped a 3-8 season in 2008 and the future looks bright for the Rams as the foundations for success have already been laid by the outgoing class of seniors and the incoming players that have chosen to become part of the legacy that is WSSU Rams Division I football.
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Season Recap
The 2008 football season saw the Rams post a 3-8 overall record in their third season of membership at the NCAA Division I level. WSSU started the season with four consecutive losses before winning three of their next five games and ultimately closed the season with a pair of losses en route to a 3-8 record overall. The Rams posted a 1-5 record overall and a 2-3 record on the road. Versus conference opponents the Rams posted a 3-6 overall record as WSSU posted a 1-4 record versus MEAC opponents at home and posted a 2-2 record on the road versus teams from the MEAC.
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 marked WSSU's only televised contest of the 2008 season. As part of the MEAC television partnership with ESPN, the Rams will appear on television at least once each season.
National Rankings
The Rams were never ranked in either of the major Division I-FCS polls during the season. The only MEAC teams to crack the national rankings were the defending MEAC champion Delaware State Hornets and the 2008 MEAC champion South Carolina State Bulldogs.
The Head Coach
The Rams are coached by head man Kermit Blount who recently completed his 16th season at the helm of the WSSU football program. Blount has posted an impressive 90-77-3 mark at WSSU and has led the Rams to a pair of conference (CIAA) titles (in 1999 and 2000). Blount ranks first all-time in wins at WSSU with 90 career victories.
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 just completed his 16th season as the Rams' head coach, has posted an all-time mark of 90-77-3 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 Five Losing Season
Kermit Blount has recorded only five losing seasons during his 16 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), 2006 (4-7) and 2008 (3-8). Over that span of 16 seasons, Blount has led the Rams to a pair of conference football titles (1999 and 2000).
Seniors Say Goodbye
The Rams bid farewell to 13 seniors who appeared in their final game as members of the WSSU football team on Nov. 22. The Rams watched 13 contributors suit up for the final time of their WSSU playing careers as WSSU honored: #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 participated in their last game as Rams.
Red Zone Woes
In 2008 the Rams allowed their opponents to score on 34 of their 44 trips into WSSU's red zone (77.3 percent). Opponents recorded 25 TD's and nine FG's. In contrast, WSSU converted on only 19 of 30 trips into their opponent's red zone (63.3 percent) with 17 TD's and two FG's.
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 in 2007 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. During the 2008 season the Rams were 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 scored 30 or more points twice, and 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 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 recorded 31 plays of 20 yards or longer on the season with seven 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.
Turnover Trouble
The Rams turned the ball over 29 times in 11 games. WSSU averaged 2.6 turnovers per game. 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 versus 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 were. The depth chart boasted five underclassmen starting on offense (three freshmen and two sophomores), and indicated three underclassmen starting on defense (two freshmen and one sophomore). Of the Rams' 22 starters, only seven were seniors. There were five seniors starting on offense and a pair of seniors starting on defense for WSSU in 2008. The future looks bright for the Rams.
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 continue to 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 completed their 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), posted a 4-7 record in their first full Division I year (2006) and completed their second year as a Division I member with a 6-5 record (2007). The 2008 season saw the Rams reload their talent pool and finish 3-8 overall. Despite the losing season the Rams defeated two of the best the MEAC had to offer as the Rams defeated Delaware State and Hampton in back-to-back games with both contests being held away from home.
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 was the 68th in Winston-Salem State University history. Through 68 years of play, WSSU owns a 343-258-21 (.554) record.
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.
Running Back Back For More
Redshirt freshman running back Nic Cooper was impressive in his first season on the field for the Rams. Splitting carries with several other backs, Cooper showed glimpses of the brilliance that will be to come as he led the team in rushing with 488 yards on 92 carries for an average of 5.3 yards per carry. Cooper tallied four rushing touchdowns and had a pair of 100-yard rushing games as a freshman. He will be looked to in 2009 to be the Rams' feature back.
Loving the Rush
The Rams continue to be a "run first" offense. In 2008 the Rams ran the ball 466 times and threw the ball only 199 total times. WSSU ran the ball more than twice as often as they passed it. The Rams penchant for running the football paid off as they generated 1,402 yards of rushing offense (3.0 yards per play) as opposed to only 1,214 yards of passing offense (6.1 yards per play).
Need To Find A Punter
One of the positions that will need to be filled for WSSU is that of punter. Jamaine Mack filled the role nicely for the Rams in 2007 and 2008 as the strong safety/punter led WSSU in punting both seasons. Mack pounded 68 punts in 2008 for 2,444 yards and an average of 35.9 yards per punt.
The Cupboard Isn't Bare
The Rams will return their top two players in terms of total offense in 2009 as Nic Cooper and Jarrett Dunston each return to the lineup. Cooper and Dunston accounted for 1,554 yards of the Rams 2,616 yards of total offense in 2008.
Freshman Break Out
Stephen Young turned in one of the most impressive freshman campaigns in WSSU history. Young ranked seventh on the team in tackles with 41 total tackles and recorded a team-leading 10 tackles for loss. As well Young recorded five sacks. forced one fumble and recovered three others.
Gotta Score More
The Rams had difficulty putting points on the board in 2008 as WSSU averaged only 16.1 points per game. In contrast, WSSU surrendered 22.7 points per game to their opponents.
Every Other Quarter
The Rams outscored their opponents 55-37 in the first quarter in 2008. However, WSSU was outscored in every other quarter by their opponents. Most glaringly, the Rams were outgunned 87-54 in the second quarter and 74-28 in the fourth quarter of games.
Young Offensive Line
The Rams gave up a total of 36 sacks in 2008 as they lost 195 total yards. In contrast WSSU recorded only 22 sacks on the season.
Better Away From Home?
The Rams posted a1-5 record at home in 2008 and posted a 2-3 record away from the friendly confines of Bowman Gray Stadium. The Rams must take back Bowman Gray in 2009. Under WSSU head coach Kermit Blount the Rams have posted a 43-29-1 record at home.
Seasoned Veterans
The Rams earned a wealth of experience in 2008 as a total of 44 different players earned at least one start for WSSU. The Rams started 26 different players on offense and started 18 different players on defense in 2008.
Start King
Michael Helton started all 44 games of his WSSU career. Helton did not miss a game, nor did he miss a start, in his four years as a Ram.
Beaten All But Two
Since the Rams' transition to the NCAA Division I level, WSSU has beaten every team in the MEAC at least once, except for two. The Rams have never beaten the Spartans of Norfolk State or the Bulldogs of South Carolina State since making the move from Division II to Division I. Since making the move to NCAA Division I the Rams have posted a 10-15 record versus MEAC opponents.
Three Minute Average
The 2008 WSSU Rams scored 21 offensive touchdowns that took 63:02 of play clock time. The Rams' average touchdown drive time was just over three minutes at 3:00:06. WSSU's shortest touchdown drive was a 41 second scoring drive. The Rams' longest touchdown drive was a 5:53 effort.
Long Drives
The Rams mounted five scoring drives that used 11 or more plays in 2008. WSSU tallied two nine-play scoring drives, three eight-play scoring drives and four scoring drives of seven plays last season.
Gotta Lead At The Half
The Rams posted a 1-4 record last season when trailing at halftime. WSSU squandered four halftime leads as they posted a 2-4 record when leading at the half, but only once did the Rams recorded a come-from-behind win when they trailed at the half.
Score More Than 20
The Rams were winless and posted an 0-8 record when they scored less than 20 points in a game. WSSU was a perfect 3-0 when they recorded more than 20 points.
Cooper Had The Only Two
Redshirt freshman running back Nicolas Cooper recorded both of the Rams 100-yard rushing games in 2008. Cooper closed the season with a 111-yard performance against Norfolk State where he recorded one of his four rushing touchdowns in 2008.
Control The Clock
Despite being a running team, the Rams controlled the possession time in only two games last season. The Rams allowed opponents to control the clock nine times last season as WSSU posted a 2-7 record during those games.
Better Before Six
The Rams were significantly better in games played before 6:00 p.m. WSSU posted a 2-3 record in day games (played before 6 p.m.) and posted a 1-5 record in games played at night (after 6 p.m.).
Two Of Top Three On Defense
Two of the Rams' top three longest plays of the 2008 season were turned in by the defense as the longest play of the season (and in WSSU history) was a David Irizarry 106-yard missed field goal return for a score. The Rams also turned in a DeRon Middleton 81-yard interception return for a score in 2008. The only offensive play to crack into the top three was a 58 touchdown pass from Jarrett Dunston to Bryant Bayne.
