So far this year, it has been the best and worst of times for Rams football: The best of times because the Rams beat the Vikings of Elizabeth City State 24-23 on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Bowman Gray Stadium before a crowd of 5,100. The win marked the team’s first this season.
However, until the win against Elizabeth City, the Rams had faced hard times: The team lost its kickoff game on Aug. 27 to the visiting Indians of Catawba College, with a final score of 20-10.
Next, the Rams traveled to Washington D.C. to face the Bison of Howard University. The Bison were not highly touted coming into the season, but it seems as if the team used its underdog status as motivation: The Bisons held the Rams to only three yards of offense in the first half, and a mere 58 for the entire contest. The Bison defeated the Rams 20-6 at William H. Greene Stadium on the campus of Howard University.
Then the Rams suffered another defeat when they had the misfortune of playing the defending MEAC co-champion, South Carolina State. The final score was 52-12.
But it appears that the Rams have been through the toughest stretch of the season. The defense has played much better this season, thanks to a new scheme (3-5-3), a new defensive-coordinator ( Mike Ketchum) and more experienced players. The offense helps defense by sustaining longer drives, allowing the defense to rest, and hold on to the football so the defense isn’t backed into a corner.
WSSU travels to Richmond, Va. To take on the Panthers of Virginia Union University at 1 p.m. on Sept. 24.