Oct. 14, 2006

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - Bethune-Cookman College snuck out a Homecoming victory over the Rams of Winston-Salem State University on Saturday evening in front of 12,486 fans at Larry Kelly Field at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida in a contest that was best described as a defensive struggle.

The lone touchdown of the day belonged to the Wildcats and came with 2:11 left in the first quarter of play as Coyla Dailey capped a 17-play, 80-yard drive with a four yard scamper for a score as BCC regained a lead that they would never relinquish.

First half action saw the Rams control the clock for 16:01 of the game's first 30 minutes of play as Winston-Salem State ground out 24 total plays for 71 yards of total offense.

The story of the half would be senior punter Chad Oakley (Haw River, NC/Eastern Randolph H.S.).  Oakley, who has generated interest from several National Football League clubs, belted three punts in the first half for an average of 49.7 yards per kick with a long boot of 53 yards. 

However, it would not be Oakley's punting, but his recently acquired place kicking duties that proved to be the story of the half as he would account for all six of the Rams' points.

Following the withdrawal from school of WSSU placekicker Marvin Umanzor (Miami, FL/Allen University) late Thursday afternoon, Oakley inherited the vacated kicking duties for the weekend's game against Bethune-Cookman College, and likely, for the season. 

The fifth-year senior promptly responded as he tallied a pair of first-half field goals, the first from 27 yards out, and the second from 29 yards deep en route to his first recorded points since his senior year of high school in 2001. 

Those six points would be enough to keep the Rams within one point of the Wildcats at halftime as a Jesus Cortez extra point following Coyla Dailey's four yard scoring run proved to be the margin of difference headed into the intermission with WSSU trailing Bethune-Cookman 7-6.

The only scoring of the game's final 30 minutes would come courtesy of Cortez's 34-yard field goal with 3:07 remaining in the contest as the Wildcats pulled ahead by the four points that would prove to be the game's final margin.

The Rams recorded only 41 yards on the ground in the game (on 39 carries), yet held the Wildcats to only 86 total yards on 38 carries as neither team broke the 200-yard total offense plateau.

Despite the loss, Oakley would be the story of the game, and would be the talk of the press box, including dominating conversations amongst several NFL scouts in attendance as he recorded nine punts for 444 yards and an average of 49.3 yards per kick.

Leading the way for the Rams on the defensive side of the ball was true freshman Juan Corders who recorded 12 total tackles with eight solo and four assisted take-downs.

With the loss, the Rams fall to 2-5 overall while the Wildcats improve to 4-3 (2-2 MEAC) with the win. 

WSSU returns to action on Saturday, October 21, 2006 as they travel to Savannah, GA to face the Tigers of Savannah State University.

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

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