WSSU 1892
20140913CobbClassicVsValdosta295Ed_1
Cobb Classic Vs Valdosta
The #12 Winston-Salem State University Rams could not overcome costly penalties and a late fumble, as they fell to #23 Valdosta State 22-17 in Powder Springs, GA Saturday evening.
The loss drop Winston-Salem State to 1-1, while Valdosta State improves to 2-0.
The game was a rematch of the 2012 DII National Championship game, and it lived up to its billing in an exciting game.
After a scoreless first quarter, Valdosta State got on the board first on a Jake Medlock one yard run for score, and the ensuing two point conversion game the Blazers an early 8-0 lead.
After another Ram punt, the WSSU defense bowed up, with Terry Ross intercepting a Jake Medlock pass and returning it 52 yards for a touchdown to move the Rams to within one at 8-7.
But Valdosta State would answer right back with a 10 play, 70 yard drive finished off by a Cedric O'Neal three yard run to push the Blazers back out to a 15-7 lead heading into the locker room at the half.
WSSU would take the second half kick and march 60 yards in 12 plays, but could only manage a 21 yard field goal from Alejandro Suarez, as the drive stalled, cutting the Valdosta State lead to 15-10.
Once again however, the WSSU Rams could not get off the field on third down, as it led to another Blazer score. This time O'Neal reached the endzone from five yards out to push Valdosta State out to a 22-10 lead in heading into the fourth quarter.
WSSU's Phil Sims would lead the Rams on a long 14 play, 99 yard scoring drive, capped by Sims' first touchdown pass as a Ram, when he would hook up with Marcel Caver for a 15 yard scoring pass and reception to pull the Rams to within five, at 22-17.
Winston-Salem State's defense would continue to play well and forced VSU to punt on several occasions, and the Rams seemed to have the momentum as they would get the ball back with 6:52 left to play.
Rudy Johnson would lead the Rams on a 10 play drive, but on first and goal, Johnson would turn the corner and would score, but eh play would be called back for a holding penalty. On the next play, Johnson would be hit and fumbled and Valdosta would recover at the 12 yard line.
The WSSU defense would stand tall once more, to force a punt, but Valdosta's Medlock would pinned the Rams deep, as he would kick a 75 yard punt, pinning the Rams at the two yard line with 1:09 left.
Phil Sims would find Donovan Rasberry twice, and Jamal Haizlip once to get the ball to midfield with 10 seconds left to play.
But on the final play, Phil Sims' hail mary pass would be knocked down at the goal line, giving the Valdosta State Blazers the 22-17 upset win.
Winston-Salem State did out produce the Blazers in yardage (399 to 391), but the Valdosta State defense kept the pressure on Rudy Johnson and Phil Sims all afternoon, forcing the Rams into just 15 of 44 passing. WSSU was also flagged eight times for 71 yards.
Offensively for WSSU, Rudy Johnson led the rushing attack with 14 carries for 64 yards, while Maurice Lewis rushed 12 times for 42 yards. Tyree Massey rushed seven times for 34 yards.
Phil Sims finished the afternoon just nine of 29 passing for 146 yards and one touchdown, while Rudy Johnson went six of 14 for 116 yards.
Marcel Caver led the Rams in receiving with five catches for 57 yards and one touchdown, while Eric Williams finished with three catches for 80 yards. Bronson Green (40 yds), Jalen McDaniel (37 yds) and Donovan Rasberry (34 yds) had two catches each.
Terry Ross led the Rams defensively, with 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one pass breakup and one interception returned 52 yards for a score. James Hickman finished with nine tackles and Duvontae Covington finished with seven, and Xavier Gregory six tackles on the afternoon.
Winston-Salem State will come back home to Bowman Gray Stadium next week for another tough out of conference matchup, this time hosting the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University at 6:00 pm.
20140913CobbClassicVsValdosta295Ed_1
Cobb Classic Vs Valdosta
The #12 Winston-Salem State University Rams could not overcome costly penalties and a late fumble, as they fell to #23 Valdosta State 22-17 in Powder Springs, GA Saturday evening.
The loss drop Winston-Salem State to 1-1, while Valdosta State improves to 2-0.
The game was a rematch of the 2012 DII National Championship game, and it lived up to its billing in an exciting game.
After a scoreless first quarter, Valdosta State got on the board first on a Jake Medlock one yard run for score, and the ensuing two point conversion game the Blazers an early 8-0 lead.
After another Ram punt, the WSSU defense bowed up, with Terry Ross intercepting a Jake Medlock pass and returning it 52 yards for a touchdown to move the Rams to within one at 8-7.
But Valdosta State would answer right back with a 10 play, 70 yard drive finished off by a Cedric O'Neal three yard run to push the Blazers back out to a 15-7 lead heading into the locker room at the half.
WSSU would take the second half kick and march 60 yards in 12 plays, but could only manage a 21 yard field goal from Alejandro Suarez, as the drive stalled, cutting the Valdosta State lead to 15-10.
Once again however, the WSSU Rams could not get off the field on third down, as it led to another Blazer score. This time O'Neal reached the endzone from five yards out to push Valdosta State out to a 22-10 lead in heading into the fourth quarter.
WSSU's Phil Sims would lead the Rams on a long 14 play, 99 yard scoring drive, capped by Sims' first touchdown pass as a Ram, when he would hook up with Marcel Caver for a 15 yard scoring pass and reception to pull the Rams to within five, at 22-17.
Winston-Salem State's defense would continue to play well and forced VSU to punt on several occasions, and the Rams seemed to have the momentum as they would get the ball back with 6:52 left to play.
Rudy Johnson would lead the Rams on a 10 play drive, but on first and goal, Johnson would turn the corner and would score, but eh play would be called back for a holding penalty. On the next play, Johnson would be hit and fumbled and Valdosta would recover at the 12 yard line.
The WSSU defense would stand tall once more, to force a punt, but Valdosta's Medlock would pinned the Rams deep, as he would kick a 75 yard punt, pinning the Rams at the two yard line with 1:09 left.
Phil Sims would find Donovan Rasberry twice, and Jamal Haizlip once to get the ball to midfield with 10 seconds left to play.
But on the final play, Phil Sims' hail mary pass would be knocked down at the goal line, giving the Valdosta State Blazers the 22-17 upset win.
Winston-Salem State did out produce the Blazers in yardage (399 to 391), but the Valdosta State defense kept the pressure on Rudy Johnson and Phil Sims all afternoon, forcing the Rams into just 15 of 44 passing. WSSU was also flagged eight times for 71 yards.
Offensively for WSSU, Rudy Johnson led the rushing attack with 14 carries for 64 yards, while Maurice Lewis rushed 12 times for 42 yards. Tyree Massey rushed seven times for 34 yards.
Phil Sims finished the afternoon just nine of 29 passing for 146 yards and one touchdown, while Rudy Johnson went six of 14 for 116 yards.
Marcel Caver led the Rams in receiving with five catches for 57 yards and one touchdown, while Eric Williams finished with three catches for 80 yards. Bronson Green (40 yds), Jalen McDaniel (37 yds) and Donovan Rasberry (34 yds) had two catches each.
Terry Ross led the Rams defensively, with 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one pass breakup and one interception returned 52 yards for a score. James Hickman finished with nine tackles and Duvontae Covington finished with seven, and Xavier Gregory six tackles on the afternoon.
Winston-Salem State will come back home to Bowman Gray Stadium next week for another tough out of conference matchup, this time hosting the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University at 6:00 pm.