Rams offense unable to capitalize on early defensive performance

Bethune-Cookman scored four second half touchdowns to hand Winston-Salem State a 27-6 loss in front of 12,121 fans on homecoming Oct 25.

The Rams took an early 6-0 lead on quarterback Jarrett Dunston's 1-yard plunge into the end-zone. With 1:17 left in the first quarter, this held the Wildcats offense in check for much of the first half.

The WSSU offense, however, was unable to capitalize on the defensive performance, and left the door open for the Wildcat comeback.

The two teams entered the fourth quarter tied 6-6. BCU scored on a 42-yard run by running back Brian Sumlar. This was the first drive of the second half, to tie the game.

Then the Wildcats stunned the Rams and the crowd by scoring 21 unanswered points.

BCU quarterback McKinson Souverain scored all three of his team's touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

After the game, he explained the difference between the two halves.

"First half we were out of sync," he said. "In the second half, we picked it up. We felt we needed to help our defense out by upping our play."

BCU head coach Alvin Wyatt said after the game that his team had trouble adjusting to Bowman Gray Stadium.

"Our kids had a problem with the field for some reason," Wyatt said.

For WSSU head coach Kermit Blount, the game was another tough loss in a season full of losses.

"I think we relaxed after the first quarter," he said.

"You can't let any of these teams in the MEAC hang around."

Nic Cooper led the Rams with 49-yards rushing. Dunston finished 8 of 16 passes for 71 yards. Marcus Coates led the defense with 11 tackles.

After the game, Blount said that everyone involved shared responsibility for the loss.

"There's no science to it," he said. "Players gotta play and we have to coach."