Rams clinch berth in CIAA title game with crucial win on Senior Day
In their regular season finale, the Winston-Salem State Rams eked out a 24-22 victory over Fayetteville State on Senior Day thanks to an interception by linebacker Kyrell Williamson to halt the Broncos’ potential game-winning drive.
This win was pivotal for the Rams (5-5, 5-2 CIAA), clinching a fifth straight Southern Division title and berth in the CIAA championship game.
Marquise Gaddy, who suffered a neck injury in practice in October, stood on the sidelines Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium to support his team. He also gave an inspirational pregame speech, according to Boulware.
“It was hard for me to hold back my tears,” WSSU Head Coach Kienus Boulware said. “But just to see him walking around shaking hands with all his limbs and everything — that’s inspirational for us all.”
At the start of the fourth, the Rams had a comfortable 21-9 lead with just about everything going their way. But FSU quarterback Derek Bryant connected with wide receiver Chris Hubert on a 73-yard touchdown with 10:16 left. The extra point attempt was blocked, mak-
ing it 21-15.
WSSU went up 24-15 with 5:07 left on a 37-yard field goal by kicker Will Johnson, but another touchdown from Bryant to Hubert and made extra point on FSU’s next drive cut it to 24-22.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Broncos recovered an onside kick with 1:38 to play. But Washington’s interception came on the third play of the Broncos’ drive and sealed the win for the Rams.
“Our prayers were answered,” Boulware said of Williamson’s interception, which happened with under a minute left in the game.
“We got out of here with a win. It’s a good win for the program and it’s a fifth consecutive conference division championship. This gives us an opportunity to erase a bad season.”
Bryant completed 16 of his 31 pass attempts for 187 yards, two touchdowns and the one costly interception for FSU (4-6, 4-3). His frequent target, Hubert, recorded 139 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
WSSU’s three touchdowns, all of which came in the first half, were ran in by running backs Tyree Massey and Xavier Quick. Massey had two scores and 90 yards on 17 carries, while Quick had one score and 49 yards on 11 carries.
Boulware said ball control was the key in the second half, along with defensive consistency.
“Defense – they stepped up and continued to play, continued to do the things that we’re trying to ask these guys to do,” he said.
“And [Fayetteville State] made the last mistake, and the team to make the fewest mistakes always wins.”
The Rams will face Bowie State (9-1, 7-0) in the championship game Nov. 14 in Durham.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More thenewsargus News Articles
- WSSU Rams Head Football Coach Relieved of His Duties
- Lady Rams look to reverse an abysmal 2014-2015 season
- Former WSSU football player has NFL aspirations
- Rams football wins 3rd CIAA title in 5 seasons
Recent thenewsargus News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR THENEWSARGUS
WSSU Rams Head Football Coach Relieved of His Duties By Elijah Richardson
Bennett College Loses Accreditation Despite Raising Sufficient Funds By Elijah Richardson
Smollett Investigation Continues To Be Unsolved and Difficult to Resolve By Elijah Richardson
Lady Rams look to reverse an abysmal 2014-2015 season By Demetrius Dillard
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
LATEST THENEWSARGUS
- Black Business
- WSSU Rams Head Football Coach Relieved of His Duties
- Controversial Wake Forest Tweet Sparks Outrage
- Bennett College Loses Accreditation Despite Raising Sufficient Funds
- Smollett Investigation Continues To Be Unsolved and Difficult to Resolve
- UREC Looks To Continue and Improve Student Engagement Through Physical...
- University Recreation To Hold Personal Training Pilot Study
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
RECENT THENEWSARGUS CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- New Writers and Illustrators Win Decades-Old Science...
- Moving Resources For Military Families
- Historic Agreement Signed By Red Cross and Armed Forces
- Salonpas® Brand Stands the Test of Time
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- BookTrib's Bites: Four Captivating Spring Reads
- Moms Kick Back with Mamaritas
- Generac Urges Americans to Prepare for Power Outages Early
- Youth Apprenticeship Week Spotlights Opportunities
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
- Need Auto Glass Repair? Don’t Despair
- Pioneering Fast and Affordable Broadband for the Underserved
- 7 Reasons Renting an RV Should Be On Every Family’s S...
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- NOW Available: Comcast Launches NOW Brand Prepaid Internet and Mobile Services Nationwide
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding