Nov. 22, 2008

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Norfolk State redshirt sophomore running back DeAngelo Bryant powered the Spartans of Norfolk State to a 17-14 victory over the Rams of Winston-Salem State on Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium as he tallied a career-high 181 yards on 21 carries and scored once as NSU earned a come-from-behind victory to close out WSSU's season at 3-8 overall.

Branche, who has held to only 27 yards in the first half of play used a 154-yard performance in the game's final two quarters of play as Norfolk State recovered from a four-point halftime deficit to spoil the Rams' senior day that saw 13 WSSU seniors play in the final contest of their WSSU football careers.

WSSU broke the scoring drought less than three minutes into the contest as Alex Chandler recovered a Norfolk State fumble and sped his way 52 yards for the game's first touchdown.

The Rams defense would hold for the remainder of the half as WSSU allowed only a field goal to the Spartans during the first 30 minutes of play en route to a four-point advantage headed into the locker room at halftime.

The two teams would trade a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter as the Spartans earned their first lead of the game when Dennis Brown found Darryl Dickerson from 11 yards out as NSU capped a 12-play, 74-yard drive to move ahead 10-7.

Undaunted the Rams would respond less than two minutes later as Nicolas Cooper burst out for a 30-yard score, his fourth touchdown of the season, as WSSU earned seven points on a quick four-play drive that took only one minute and 39 seconds as the Rams regained the lead at 14-10.

The game's final score would come courtesy of Branche as he powered his way in from four yards out as NSU marched 92 yards for what would prove to be the game-winning touchdown.

"We didn't tackle him [Branche]. We were there to make the play on those big runs, and we didn't make the play. Our defense was out there too long and it didn't help the situation, and he was able to take advantage of our defense and I mean, give the young man credit, he played well, but we should have made the play defensively" WSSU head football coach Kermit Blount said in postgame interviews.

Despite the loss, WSSU redshirt freshman running back Nic Cooper turned in another stellar day as he tallied 111 yards on 11 carries en route to averaging over 10 yards per carry (10.1 ypc).

The loss drops the Rams record to 3-8 as they close the season as WSSU turns in their most lopsided year since posting a 3-7 record during the 1982 season. Norfolk State closes out the year with a 5-7 record (3-5 MEAC) with the victory.

For additional information on WSSU football, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at WSSURams.com.