WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Winston-Salem State University football team (0-6, 0-4 CIAA) fell to Bowie State University, 21-0, on Saturday afternoon at Bowman Gray Stadium. The Rams committed six turnovers, including three interceptions and three lost fumbles, as Bowie State capitalized with 14 points off turnovers.
Bowie State relied on its ground game, rushing for 219 yards on 42 carries. WSSU totaled 138 rushing yards and 85 passing yards while converting seven of 15 third-down attempts and possessing the ball for 31:14. Defensively, the Rams recovered two fumbles and recorded several key red-zone stops, including a goal-line stand, but Bowie State made five trips inside the red zone.
The Rams opened the game with a promising drive, highlighted by
Jayvion Danzy's 40-yard run to the Bowie State 16-yard line. However, the possession ended with a missed 37-yard field goal by
Gilberto Lorenzana. WSSU's defense responded by keeping the Bulldogs off the scoreboard on their opening red-zone opportunity.
Avir Johnson hurried an incompletion before combining with Nikotis Gordon for a third-down sack, forcing Bowie State to miss a 36-yard field-goal attempt. The first quarter ended in a scoreless tie.
Both defenses continued to control the game in the second quarter. After BSU threatened in the red zone,
Zymiere Dempsey-Freeman recorded a tackle for loss to help force a punt. The Rams then put together a 16-play, 47-yard drive, with quarterback
Brayden Jeffries leading the offense through four third-down conversions. WSSU reached the Bowie State 20-yard line, but a holding penalty stalled the drive. Lorenzana's 77-yard field-goal attempt fell short with 16 seconds remaining, sending both teams into halftime tied 0-0.
Bowie State broke the deadlock in the third quarter with Jaylin Solomon's 19-yard touchdown run and the ensuing extra point. The Rams looked to respond, but an interception halted their next possession. WSSU's defense then delivered a critical stop when Johnson forced and recovered a Solomon fumble at the Rams' 5-yard line with 1:20 remaining in the quarter. The recovery marked Johnson's first of the season and prevented Bowie State from extending its lead. The Bulldogs carried a 7-0 advantage into the fourth quarter.
Turnovers proved costly for the Rams in the final period. WSSU lost a fumble at the Bowie State 33-yard line before the Bulldogs converted a Jeffries interception into a 9-yard touchdown run. Bowie State added the final points with a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown, securing the 21-0 victory.
WSSU Top Performers
Jayvion Danzy
- 118 rushing yards on 15 carries
Jayden Grimes
- Six receptions
- 55 receiving yards
Maurice Odom
Avir Johnson
- Five tackles
- 0.5 sack
- One forced fumble
- One fumble recovery
Up Next
The Rams return home to host Bluefield State University at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C.
For more information on Winston-Salem State Athletics and its 12 varsity sports, visit wssurams.com.
