CHARLOTTE, NC- The Winston-Salem State University football team dropped a close contest to Johnson C. Smith Saturday afternoon inside Irvin Belk Complex.
 
WSSU is now 4-4 (4-2 CIAA).
 
How it Happened

• JCSU's Dirk Cureton scored on a 55-yard punt return to give the Golden Bulls an early 7-0 lead with 2:49 to play in the first quarter.
• The Golden Bulls scored another touchdown to take a 14-0 lead with 9:25 to play in the second quarter.
• JCSU fumbled the ball and Kairon Martin ran it back for a Rams touchdown. The extra point was good, and the Rams trailed 7-14 with 7:05 remaining in the first half.
• Daylin Lee with a 31-yard pass to Kaleb Washington, the extra point is good, and the game was tied at 14 with 2:39 to play in the half.
• A blocked field goal gave JCSU the 21-14 lead going into halftime.
• Jobani Esparza with a 37-yard field goal gave the Rams a 17-21 score with 7:51 to play in the third quarter.
• With 1:03 to play in the third quarter, Lee connects with Caleb Rayner to give the Rams a 24-21 lead.
• JCSU took the lead back with 14:52 to play in the fourth quarter. (28-24)
• WSSU regained the lead with 11:39 remaining in the game on a pass from Lee to Jayden Grimes. (31-28 WSSU)
• JCUS came back and scored with 2:07 on the clock, 35-31 – JCSU).

Inside the Numbers

• Lee was 20-for-35 with 224 passing yards and three touchdowns.
• Three receivers scored for the Rams, Washington, Rayner, and Grimes.
• The last time the Rams lost to JCSU was 1996.
• Noble Joyner had ten tackles (5 solo) with five assists and two tackles for loss.
• Octavis McLaurin had nine tackles (7 solo) and two assists.

Up Next
The Rams will close out their regular season at Fayetteville next Saturday, November 4. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.