DURHAM, NC – Virginia State University's Niko Johnson scored from 25 yards out with 2:59 remaining, as the Trojans upset #10 Winston-Salem State 21-17 in the CIAA Football Championship Game at Durham County Stadium on Saturday.

With the loss, Winston-Salem State falls to 9-2 overall, while Virginia State improves to 9-2 overall. The loss also snapped WSSU's 32 game CIAA winning streak that dated back to the 2010 season.

The Rams now must await their fate from the NCAA DII selection committee to see if their season will continue in the playoffs. The playoff selection show is scheduled for 5:00 pm on Sunday.

After holding the VSU Trojans on their first possession, Winston-Salem State took over and seemed to moving the ball downfield for their first points, but a Mustafa Greene fumble was picked up by VSU's Dontrell Jones and returned 62 yards for a touchdown to give the Trojans the early 7-0 lead.

The Winston-Salem State offense could not get anything going early on, and could not sustain drives in the first quarter.

The Trojans would extend their lead in the second quarter as they would go on a long 16 play, 80 yard drive that took 9;25 off the clock. VSU quarterback Niko Johnson would split the Rams defense and dive for the endzone, but he would be hit and the ball would fall in the endzone, only to be recovered by offensive lineman Hudson Elder, to give VSU a 14-0 advantage over the highly ranked Rams.

The Rams would finally get on the board late in the second quarter when Phillip Sims would find Eric Williams behind the VSU secondary for a 38 yard scoring strike to cut the lead to 14-7 heading into halftime.

Early in the third quarter, the WSSU defense would come up with a big play, as Duvontae Covington would force a fumble and Aliquan Bullock would recover, giving the Rams the ball deep in Trojan territory.

But three plays later, Rudy Johnson would scramble but would fumble the ball trying to get extra yards, giving the ball back to VSU.

Neither team would be able to score in the third quarter, leaving the championship on the line going into the fourth and final period.

The WSSU Rams would hold the Virginia State offense and force a punt, that would be shanked, giving the Rams the ball in prime field position at the Virginia State 28 yard line.

Three plays later, Phillip Sims would find Brenden Felder from 20 yards out, to tie the score at 14-14.

Winston-Salem State seemed to be finding their stride, as the defense would keep the pressure on, when Defense Player of the Year, Duvontae Covington, would come up with another big defensive play, forcing a fumble and then recovering, giving the ball back to their offense deep in VSU territory.

Once again the Rams offense would bog down on the series, but Alejandro Suarez would connect on a 29 yard field goal to give the Rams their first lead of the day at 17-14 with 5:48 left to play.

But it was VSU's redshirt freshman quarterback that would sink the Rams late. Niko Johnson would find running back Kavon Bellamy down the right side for a 38 yard gain, as time ticked down. But on fourth and two from the 25 yard line, Johnson would call his own number and rushed through the WSSU defense for the game winning score.

Winston-Salem State would have one last opportunity with just under three minutes to go.

Phillip Sims would complete three straight passes and used his legs to get a Rams' moving down the field and across midfield with just under a minute to play.

But like many drives of the day, it would stall. And on fourth down and 12, Sims' pass would not connect with Marcel Caver, and Virginia State would take over and kneel on the ball to take the 2014 CIAA Championship.

Offensively for WSSU, Maurtice Lewis rushed 11 times for 34 yards and Mustafa Greene added 30 yards on seven carries. Phillip Sims rushed for 19, Tyree Massey for 14 and Rudy Johnson for 12 yards.

Phillip Sims, named the WSSU MVP, finished the afternoon15 of 20 with one interception for 173 yards and two scores. Rudy Johnson went two of six for just 15 yards.

Brenden Felder led the Rams receivers with four catches for 71 yards and a score, while Eric William had three catches for 47 yards and a touchdown.

William Johnson had a solid afternoon punting, averaging 45.5 yards per punt, while punting four times in the contest.

Duvontae Covington led the defensive effort with 10 tackles, one tackle for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Danny Bunn had nine tackles, and a tackle for a loss, while James Hickman added six tackles and Aliquan Bullock and Casey Davenport finished with five tackles each. Bullock had a fumble recovery, one pass breakup and a quarterback hurry, while Davenport also had four tackles for a loss. Alfy Hill had one sack and a forced fumble, and Everett Proctor also added a forced fumble.

Winston-Salem State must now wait on the NCAA DII Playoff Selection show to see if they have done enough to earn an at-large bid to the playoffs. Six team from four regions make the playoff field, and the Rams were ranked #4 in Super Region one coming into the game.