Rams rocky start beginning to smooth

In sport’s there is a saying that states, “It is not how you start but how you finish.” The Rams certainly lived by this statement recently. Virginia State took advantage of a mistake filled first quarter by the Rams, which included a fumble, interception and roughing the kicker penalty that cost the Rams a possession. Virginia State turned these miscues into two touchdowns and led 14-0 after the first quarter. Another fumble on the first possession of the second quarter by the Rams set up a 38-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kevin Jones to receiver P.J. Berry for Virginia State. This pushed the Trojans lead to 21-0. The shock of that touchdown and the score on the scoreboard seemed to wake up the Rams because after that score the Ram’s offense began to dominate the game. Using power running and a controlled passing game plan quarterback Josh McGee and the Rams offense began to take over the game. In the second and third quarters of the game McGee threw touchdown passes of 11yards and 9 yards to Jared Brevard and Brandon Free respectively. Sandwiched between those two scores was a brilliant 75-yard punt return for a touchdown by Brandon Hussey, which helped energize the team and the crowd. McGee’s touchdown pass to Free in the third quarter made the score 21-19, pulling the Rams within two points of the Trojans. Although the passing game was clicking in second half, the real story of the game was the Rams rushing attack and how they controlled the line of scrimmage. All three tailbacks used against the Trojans ran the ball successfully, but Peete Byrd’s 23 carries for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns stood out the most. Most of Byrd’s yards and his two touchdowns came in the second half when the Rams were trying to seize control of the game. Byrd’s first touchdown put the Rams ahead 25-21 with 9 minutes and 7 seconds left in the fourth quarter. After a Virginia State score, the Rams marched down the field in 4 minutes and 47 seconds and Byrd scored again on a 5-yard touchdown run with 30 seconds left in the game. Byrd’s touchdown put the Rams ahead 31-27. This score along with the two-point conversion attempt, which was successful sealed the game for the Rams and finished off a great comeback victory. After the game Coach Blount said that this game was a ìtestament of willî for his team, and in his halftime speech he spoke to the players about ìfacing adversity and showing true character.î Evidently the coachís speech worked because in the second half the Rams came out and looked like a totally different team. Coach Blount also admitted the his team ìstarted slow,î but in football, itís not how you start, itís how you finish and Saturday, the Rams finished with a victory.