WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Winston-Salem State University football team (1-6) earned its first victory of the 2026 season Saturday afternoon, defeating Bluefield State University (0-6), 43-14, at Bowman Gray Stadium. The win also marked the first victory for head coach
Tory Woodbury as the leader of the Rams.
WSSU dominated on the ground, recording season highs of 340 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
Jayvion Danzy led the way with a season-best 182 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, while the Rams' defense limited Bluefield State to 83 rushing yards, recorded a season-high five sacks and forced two turnovers.
The Rams broke the game open with 27 unanswered points spanning the second and third quarters, transforming a 9-6 contest into a commanding 36-6 advantage.
Christopher McCorkle highlighted the defensive effort with a 59-yard fumble return for a touchdown, while
Mecca Carr-Bordeaux recorded a season-high 2.5 sacks.
WSSU established control early, building a 9-0 first-quarter lead.
Chancellor Smith converted a fourth-and-11 with a 42-yard run before Danzy broke free for a 39-yard touchdown.
Gilberto Lorenzana's extra point gave the Rams a 7-0 advantage at 12:27. The defense added to the lead later in the quarter, forcing a safety after Carr-Bordeaux and
Kameron Langford combined for a sack.
Bluefield State cut the deficit to 9-6 in the second quarter, but the Rams responded with a touchdown drive capped by
Brayden Jeffries' eight-yard scoring pass to
Jayden Grimes. Lorenzana's extra point extended the lead to 16-6 with 1:54 remaining in the first half. The Rams' defense preserved the 10-point advantage before halftime, stopping Bluefield State on fourth-and-11 inside WSSU territory.
The Rams took complete control in the third quarter, scoring 20 points while shutting out the Big Blue. After the defense forced a turnover on downs, Danzy broke loose for a 64-yard touchdown run at 8:17, extending the lead to 22-6. McCorkle then recovered a fumble forced by Carr-Bordeaux and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown, pushing the advantage to 29-6.
WSSU added another score late in the quarter after
Zymiere Dempsey-Freeman intercepted a Bluefield State pass. The Rams capitalized on the takeaway with a 92-yard scoring drive highlighted by Jeffries' 74-yard completion to Grimes.
Jamison Funderburk finished the possession with a three-yard touchdown run with 55 seconds remaining in the quarter, giving WSSU a 36-6 lead.
Bluefield State scored in the fourth quarter to make it 36-14, but the Rams answered with a 74-yard rushing drive. Danzy opened the possession with consecutive gains of 16, five and 15 yards before
C'Quarhion Mitchell broke free for a 25-yard touchdown run with 2:15 remaining. Lorenzana's extra point secured the 43-14 final.
WSSU Top Performers
Up Next
Winston-Salem State returns to the road next Saturday, Oct. 24, traveling to Lincoln, Pennsylvania, to face Lincoln University (Pa.). Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
For more information on Winston-Salem State Athletics and its 12 varsity sports, visit wssurams.com.
