Offense struggles, Rams fall to Warriors, 21-14

Winston-Salem State suffered its first loss of the season 21-14 to Wayne State, ending their championship run.   

The Rams offense struggled to move the ball on the ground getting less than three yards per carry. The passing attack saw struggles as well with the receivers dropping numerous passes. The Warriors also gave the Rams fits on offense.

"They were very elusive," said WSSU defensive back Alton Keaton.
For the first time in over a month, the Rams were held scoreless in the first quarter as they found themselves down 7-0.  

After the Rams failed fourth down conversion, the Warriors took advantage scoring on a 12-play drive that was capped off by a quarterback sneak that gave the Warriors a 14-0 lead with 8:38 to go in the second quarter.

The Rams offense finally figured things out in the second quarter scoring on a strike from quarterback Kameron Smith to wide receiver Jahuann Butler for 24 yards.  The score cut the Warriors lead by seven 14-7.  

After both teams were forced to punt to start the half, the Rams gave the Warriors the ball back on a fumble by Smith.

The Warriors Renel punched it in from the 1-yard line giving them a 21-7 lead. The fumble was the Rams first turnover of the game.

The Rams stopped the Warriors first drive of the fourth quarter when defensive back Malcolm Rowe intercepted a screen pass from Mickey Mohner and was returned inside the Rams 5-yard line.

The Rams scored their second and final touchdown on a run by Nicholas Cooper, who finished with 96 yards on 21 carries. Smith had 129 yards passing and a touchdown but was sacked five times in the loss.

WSSU's defense gave the Rams an opportunity to tie the game at the end of the fourth quarter, but the Rams failed to after a pass from Smith
was broken up by the Warriors ending the Rams championship hopes.

The Rams finished the season 13-1, setting the school record for wins and claiming the CIAA Title in the process. Despite the loss Maynor said he is still proud of what his team accomplished this season. 

"These guys have nothing to be sad about," he said.  "They are conference champs, black college football champs, and they did things that no other HBCU has done."