Even with the CIAA championship out of reach for WSSU, the Division II playoffs are still a possibility after the Rams suffered a 31-27 loss at the hands of the Shaw Bears Oct. 30 at Durham County Stadium.
The Rams scored on half of their possessions during the game, but couldn’t hold up against the fourth quarter surge of the Bears.
The Rams scored touchdowns on their first two possessions and had all of the momentum in their favor.
Shaw answered the Rams’ with two early scores, with a touchdown on their third drive that sliced the Rams lead 14-7.
The Rams added to their lead on their opening drive of the second quarter with a 33-yard field goal by kicker Landon Thaylor that gave the Rams a 10-point – lead, 17-7.
Shaw methodically drove down the field on an eight-play 80-yard touchdown drive that was capped off by a touchdown pass from quarterback Kevin Atkins to wide receiver Tyrone Bolden that slimmed the WSSU lead 17-14.
After watching the Bears score on an eight-play drive, the Rams only needed one play to increase their lead again and go up by 10.
Running back Nicholas Cooper broke a 48-yard run that put the Rams ahead 24-14.
On the Bears next possession, they used 10 plays for 53 yards, and scored on a field goal to end the half, trailing the Rams 24-17.
In the second half, the Rams could only muster three points early in the third quarter.
During the fourth quarter, the Rams offense struggled to move the ball. They also gave the ball away on an interception thrown by Kameron Smith in Rams territory that gave momentum to the Bears.
The interception set the Bears up with great field position on the Rams 12-yard line. The Bears scored on a run by quarterback Kevin Atkins that ultimately gave them the lead 31-27.
The Rams had one more chance to score and failed when a pass intended for wide receiver Dominique Fitzgerald fell incomplete.
The Rams still lead the all-time series versus the Bears despite the loss 8-7-2.