The Winston-Salem State University Rams were looking to make history on Thursday evening in Tallahassee as they attempted to earn WSSU head coach Kermit Blount his WSSU record-tying 89th career win. Instead, a Florida A&M defense that held the Rams to only 81 yards of total offense forced the Rams to make history by handing WSSU only the second shutout of Blount's 16-year head coaching career with a 23-0 defeat in front of 15,448 at Bragg Memorial Stadium and countless others at home watching the contest on ESPNU-HD.
The Rams' offense would cross midfield only one time in the contest as they were able to earn positive yardage enough to gain the line of scrimmage at the Rattler 41 midway through the second quarter as WSSU could not generate a running attack consistent enough to open up redshirt junior [Temple U transfer] quarterback Jarrett Dunston's passing game. The nine-yard foray into FAMU territory would be WSSU's only trip onto the Rattler's side of the 50 for the duration of the contest.
In direct contrast to the Rams' passing woes, FAMU head coach Joe Taylor used a two-headed West-Coast style passing attack that systematically picked apart the Rams' defensive backs as both Eddie Battle and UK transfer Curtis Pulley completed more than 65 percent of their passes en route to a pair of 100-yard plus passing games.
The WSSU defense would spend 19 minutes of the first half of play on the field as they surrendered 17 points to the Rattlers in the first 30 minutes of the contest as a field goal, an Eddie Battle one-yard touchdown run and a Curtis Pulley 13-yard touchdown pass to Adrian Smith would give FAMU what would prove to be an insurmountable 17-0 lead heading into the locker room at the halftime break.
Second half action continued with the Rams' defense spending the majority of the contest on the field as Florida A&M controlled the ball for over 40 minutes.
The WSSU defense responded to the challenge in the second half of play as they would allow only six points to the Rattlers as only a two-yard Lonvontae Page touchdown run would put points on the board. WSSU would block the extra point, their third kick block of the season, yet the damage was done as the Rattlers earned a 23-0 victory and pulled ahead 2-1 in the all time series.
Florida A&M
RS Jr. QB #11 Curtis Pulley 6'3.5 204 4.64 In part-time duty Curtis Pulley completed 11 of 14 passes for 126 yards and 20 yards rushing with 6 lost on a TFL and a long of 11 yards. If Pulley takes over full-time QB duties and has a great 2009 he should get a camp invitation and a look at 2 or 3 positions. He is a good athlete and has a much stronger arm than Rich Gannon though his windup can get too long at times, a slinger.
TB #30 Sophomore Scatback Phillip Sylvester 5'9.6 189 4.46 was keyed on and largely held in check with only 71 net yards on 23 carries and 2 catches for 2 yards. He must get bigger without losing his electric quickness and/or improve as a receiver, but he has homerun potential on every touch.
# 4 WR RS Sophomore Adrian Smith 6'1.3" 176 4.54 Rangy yet fluid, can eat up cushion with long stride, needs to work on being more deceptive and dropping his hips. Good hands and brought down 10 balls for 99 yards 1, TD including a 21 yarder where he beat the defender with surprising ease. He needs coaching and 10-15 pounds but has almost Berrian level upside.
#80 Sophomore WR Isaac West 6'1.5" 201 showcased a larger frame and only a bit less fluidity, but had a very impressive outing with 92 yards on only 5 catches and a long of 34 during which he overpowered a tackler.
Defense
#41 Rs Freshman WLB Alvis Graham 6'0.6" 224 4.72 had 4 solo, 1 sack and an assist, like poor man's John Mobely was always around the ball.
#44 MLB 5'10.7" 239 4.91 Vernon Wilder was avoided but looked a bit slow, 1 tackle 1 assist. UDFA at best, hopefully he was playing through a slight injury and will bounce back.
#92 RS Jr. DE Draymenski Wilson 6'1.2" 268 4.88 had a good game about 5 pressures 4 solo and 1, similar to Rudy Hardie.
WSSU
# 8 QB RS Jr. 6'1.7" 222 4.78 The Temple transfer completed 11 of 16 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns in last Saturday's win against Howard but the FAMU defenses speed and the loss of his best and favorite target wide receiver Bryant Bayne, who fractured his ankle against Howard and had snagged over 1/2 of Dunston's deliveries. He was shut down with only 5 completions more than I had, and I was in pajamas, for 36 yards on 17 attempts and -11 yards on 6 carries, all but 1 were sacks or "keepers" where he could find no open receiver.
ROT #78 6'2.5" 329 5.44 Joe Blanks is the best prospect for WSSU but he was battling an injured hip and did not look quick or powerful, he projects to OG. When healthy he is a mauler. UDFA who will need to prove he can play all along the line to stick.
Defense
DE 91 Josh Newkirk 6'1.2" 242 4.76 Just a Freshman was the best player on the field on either defense ran plays down from behind and held up at the POA against bigger players 7 solo takles including a TFL.
#9 Sharano Brown the 5'11.3" 166 Freshman was listed as a WR on the Roster he played "rover" and had 5 solos and assists, playing out of position, could be a good CB one day.