Loud growl, no bite; Rams tame Tigers 59-7

The Rams moved one step closer to perfection on Oct. 22.

The No. 9 Rams beat the stripes off the Edward Waters College Tigers 59-7 in Bowman Gray Stadium.

"We wanted to score every time we had the ball," said Head Coach Connell Maynor.  

  Winston-Salem State is 8-0 and EWC is 2-5.

The Tigers got their first penalty before the opening kickoff by taking too much time to kick the ball.

The penalty made it easy for WSSU to score on a 25-yard pass from quarterback Kameron Smith to wide receiver Jahuann Butler.

Smith went 12-22 for 196 yards and three touchdowns. He rushed for 43 yards on seven carries.

"Smith really played well today," Maynor said.

"I just wanted to come out and play the game the coach told me to," Smith said.

The Rams continued to show their scoring prowess in the first quarter, as running back Nicholas Cooper pounded the ball five times for 32 yards and a touchdown, putting the Rams ahead 14-0, on their next drive.  

The stingy Rams defense was unable to prevent the Tigers lone touchdown during the first quarter.

"We gave up a touchdown, and we needed to play better," defensive back Alton Keaton said.

"We still have a long way to go."

Penalties became an issue for EWC.

EWC was penalized 15 yards because their band played while the Rams were in possession of the ball.  

The Rams capped a drive that spanned through the first and second quarter with a run by fullback Cedric Hickman for four yards and a touchdown.

The score put the Rams ahead 21-7.

The Rams began their next drive from the Tigers 30-yard line, but the drive was negated when Cooper fumbled.

The Rams didn't need any help, but Edward Waters coach, Brad Bernard unintentionally helped the Rams.

He was flagged twice for delay of game because he kept talking to the referees.

The penalties took EWC out of scoring range.     

The Rams took advantage of the Tigers miscues and scored when running back Maurice Lewis broke two tackles and sprung for a 32-yard run.

The score gave the Rams 28-7 advantage.

The Tigers coughed up the ball on a fumble after they drove inside the Rams 10-yard line.

That halted a drive that started from their own 34 yard-line.

The Rams ran their two-minute offense successfully by scoring on a 23-yard pass from Smith to wide receiver Tehvyn Brantley.

"Coach called my number today and gave me a chance to shine," Brantley said.

The Rams led at the half 35-7.

 The second half was not better for the Tigers.  The Rams forced EWC to punt after a sack by linebacker Carlos Fields and defensive lineman Akeem Ward.

Linebacker Antonio Gates forced a fumble that was recovered by defensive lineman Duvontae Covington inside of the Rams 20-yard line.

Later the Rams earned 6 on a fourth and 20.

Dominique Fitzgerald caught a pass from Smith for 33 yards. The touchdown made the score 42-7.

"I saw the safety shift," Fitzgerald said.

"I knew the ball was coming to me."

It was a busy day for wide out Fitzgerald. He made six catches for 99 yards, one touchdown and returned two punts for 71 yards.  

Backup quarterback Jamie DeGeare got some playing as well as. He threw a 19-yard pass to Brantley that extended the Rams lead 49-7.

"We have a great offense," Brantley said.

Brantley had four catches for 59 yards and two touchdowns.

The Rams had 339 yards rushing.

The tandem of Cooper and Lewis struck again with both rushers amassing more than 100 yards each for the second time this season.

Cooper had 120 yards and one touchdown, and Lewis ended the day with 113 yards and two touchdowns.

WSSU's next opponent is at home against the Shaw Bears Oct. 29.

The Bears won the last matchup in Durham 31-27 in the 2010 season, and the Rams will be looking to exact revenge.

"Our next game is our biggest game," Keaton said.

"But revenge will play a small factor."

My Prediction:

WSSU-56, Shaw- 14