Living on the edge finally caught with Winston-Salem State. After wining their previous three games in the final minutes by a combined margin of nine points, the Rams lost to MEAC-leading Delaware State 23-20 in the annual homecoming game on Nov. 3.
The Rams took a 20-12 lead into the fourth quarter, only to see that lead evaporate in the last six minutes as the Hornets reeled off 11 consecutive points and Peter Gaertner’s 37-yard field goal gave them the lead as time expired.
The Rams had no answer for Delaware State’s passing game as quarterback Vashon Winton completed 21 of 29 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown. Chris Strother led the Hornets with 91 yards rushing and 1 touchdown.
Rodrick Fluellen led the Rams with 16 carries for 101 yards. Monte Purvis went 6 of 14 passing for 66 yards and also rushed for 53 yards.
The Rams were able to hang with the Hornets, despite the fact that they committed 4 turnovers.
“They (Delaware State) are gonna win based on your turnovers,” said Rams head coach Kermit Blount.
Early on, it looked as though the Rams had picked up right where they left off against Hampton, running the ball effectively and scoring on a 4 yard run by Purvis. However, kicker Matt Mitchell seemed to pick up right where he left off, missing the extra point.
For much of the first half, DSU’s offense was able to to take advantage of WSSU’s loose coverage by utilizing the short-passing game to score 12 consecutive points and head into half-time up 12-6.
In the third quarter, the Rams defense took over. Leading the charge was defensive end William Hayes who had two sacks and two forced fumbles that led to two scores. Hayes recovered the first fumble on the Hornets 44 yard-line and a few plays later Jed Bines sprinted into the endzone from 3 yards out.
On the very next drive, Hayes again sacked Winton, and ran in to the the endzone from 6 yards out to give the Rams an eight-point lead.
In the fourth quarter, DSU drove down the field and with less than six minutes to go and Chris Strother scored from 1 yard out. The two-point conversion tied up the game and WSSU’s three-and-out set the stage for the game winning score.
After the game Hayes, who had 12 tackles as well as two sacks and forced fumbles said that the loss was tough, homecoming or not.
“It’s not about the homecoming,” said Hayes. “Any loss hurts.”