Oct. 23, 2010

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WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Winston-Salem State Rams (8-1, 5-1 CIAA) defense stole the show in a 21-7 homecoming win over the UNC-Pembroke Braves (5-3), Saturday afternoon. The Rams' defense stepped into the forefront as the Rams held the Braves to just one score in the critical victory. Though the WSSU defense allowed 282 yards of total offense and 18 first downs, but unit held the Braves to just one score in the win.

With a tremendous crowd that nearly filled the entire Bowman-Gray Stadium, the Rams defense took center stage to key the homecoming victory. It was a total team effort by the Rams defense with five WSSU players totaling six tackles each in the game. Of the six was senior defensive back Marvin Bohannon, Jr. who added an interception as well. Offensively, the Rams played a solid game that saw the unit quietly record 346 total yards. Sophomore quarterback Kameron Smith was especially efficient in the game, connecting on 12-of-21 passes for two touchdowns and one interception. Smith also added 69 yards rushing in the win. WSSU sophomore receiver Jahuann Butler had his second straight big game with three catches for 85 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The effort marked his second two-touchdown game in a row. Redshirt-junior running back Nicholas Cooper quietly had a big game as well with 109 yards rushing.

In the early going, the game was a tight affair with both teams stalling on their opening drives, but the Rams were able to get into the scoring column first when Smith connected with Butler for their first touchdown of the day, a 47-yard strike at the 7:02 mark in the first quarter. Smith and Butler would connect for their second touchdown of the day early in the third quarter. This time, it was a 30-yard pass from Smith that put the Rams ahead 14-0.

The Braves would respond, however, with a four-play drive that ended with a touchdown by senior running back Keith Gore at the 8:20 mark in the second half. The score would be all that the WSSU defense would allow as the team took a 14-7 lead into the locker room at the half.

In the second half, the Rams would face an improved UNC-Pembroke defensive effort, but still managed to return to the endzone when Smith scampered for a six-yard touchdown run with 5:16 left in the game.

The two-touchdown advantage turned out to be all that the Rams needed as the team held the Braves scoreless for the rest of the game. One of the critical points of the game came when the WSSU senior defensive end Akeem Ward forced a UNCP fumble at the WSSU 21-yard line with 8:41 left in the third quarter. The turnover ended the Braves' best scoring opportunity of the half as the WSSU defense held on for the victory.

With the win, the Rams managed their first homecoming win since the 2006 season when the team defeated the Howard Bison, 12-0.

The Rams will close out the 2010 regular season on the road when the team takes on the Shaw Bears in a crucial CIAA Southern Division matchup. For more information on Rams basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2909 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.