Aug. 2, 2007

WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- The Winston-Salem State Rams got a taste of NCAA Division I Championship Subdivision football last season and are returning for more in 2007. This season, the Rams return with a wealth of talent and experience that will make the Rams a real threat in 2007 as they enter into their first season of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play.

OFFENSE

The Winston-Salem State Rams' offense has revamped and reloaded for the upcoming season and has a wealth of experience and great talent returning to make the team's already talented offense even better. In addition to added offensive firepower, the Rams will welcome a new general as Nick Calcutta joins the WSSU staff as Offensive Coordinator.  No stranger to the MEAC or to Kermit Blount's football philosophy, Calcutta and the Rams will look to even out the offensive attack by adding more aerial aggressiveness to the already dominant WSSU running game. 

Leading the way for the Rams in 2007 will be a familiar face as senior quarterback Monte Purvis returns to lead the WSSU offense with two seasons as a starter under his belt.  Purvis led the team in total offense last season totaling 1,033 yards in 2006 with 865 yards passing to go along with 168 yards rushing. He connected on 60-of-144 passes with just nine interceptions last season. One of the more athletic players on the 2007 team, the Rams quarterback will look to cap a great career with a history-making effort in this, his senior season.

This season, Purvis will have a host of quality weapons as he will connect with experienced players at both the running back and wide receiver position. Highlighting the talented Rams receiving corps will be the return of senior wide receiver Michael Scarborough who missed most of last season with a broken leg suffered early in fall training camp. Also returning this season will be junior wide receiver Johnathan Kinzer, the team's leading returnee from 2006 (eight receptions for 89 total yards). Kinzer is the team's returning leader in yards per game with an 11.1 ypg average. Also returning at wide out is the 5'10" Scarbrough. A wide receiver with good hands and a lot of athletic ability, Scarborough could give the Rams the receiving threat that will not only prove to be dangerous this season, but will also help to open up the WSSU rushing attack.

The Rams will again return a great crop of running backs, including all three of the team's top three rushers from last season's squad as well as an old familiar face. Last season's leading rusher, junior Brandon McRae returns at the running back position this fall after a solid effort in 2006. McRae led the team with 623 total yards on 118 carries and led the team in rushing touchdowns with six last trips to the endzone last season. Alongside McRae, the Rams welcome a host of running backs with a history of production. Senior Tionti Powell also returns to the WSSU backfield this season at the running back position. For the year, Powell totaled 432 yards on 93 attempts. He was also a solid receiving threat out of the backfield with 10 catches for 76 yards last season. Junior Rod Fluellen returns to the WSSU backfield with a chance to continue his already solid WSSU career. Fluellen finished third on the team in rushing with 359 total yards on 82 carries with three touchdowns.

Pending summer class results, the Rams may welcome back the most seasoned running back on the team in Jerrick "Jed" Bines.  Bines who has appeared in 28 games for the Rams sat out the 2006 season to focus on academics and pending the results of summer classes, and clearance by the NCAA, Bines may very well rejoin the Rams for his senior season in 2007.  The addition of Bines would be a huge asset for WSSU as the power runner from Parkland High School sits fifth in WSSU history in rushing yards (2,675), and rushing touchdowns (28) and seventh in WSSU history in scoring (172 points). Joining McRae, Powell and Fluellen, Bines would provide the fourth cog in a four-pronged WSSU rushing attack as the 1,000-yard club member looks for his second 1,000-plus yard season.

The WSSU offensive line returns intact from a great 2006 season that saw the Rams amass 1,987 yards rushing along with 15 rushing touchdowns while allowing just 21 sacks. Junior Joseph Blanks will join senior John Mobley, junior Michael Helton, and junior Bennie Barbour as the seasoned core of the Rams' offensive line.

            The young Rams offense of old has grown up and will look to make some noise this season when they take to the embattled gridiron of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and NCAA Division I-Championship Subdivision play.

DEFENSE

The Rams defense returns with much to prove in 2007. Last season saw the Rams defense allow 17.5 points per game and 283.1 yards per game. The squad had a host of talented youngsters on its squad in 2006 but youth and inexperience as well as a difficult schedule that featured seven road games took its toll on the squad. This season, those youngsters have grown up and will return to form a formidable defensive unit that will keep the Rams in every game on the slate in 2007.

            The WSSU linebacking corps will lead the way as three starters from last season's team return in 2007 with team leading tackler senior Thaddeus Griffin Leading the way. Last season Griffin led the Rams with 80 total tackles (33 solo) and three interceptions. He also led the team in quarterback hurries with four in 2006. Griffin also added one sack and three pass breakups. Joining Grffin at the Rams' linebacker position will be sophomore sensation Juan Corders and senior Corey Swinnie. Corders finished fifth on the team in total tackles with 45 (21 solo) last season as a true freshman. He also added seven tackles for a loss with two sacks. The true freshman paced the team with a pair of fumbles forced as well as two QB hurries. Fellow linebacker Corey Swinnie returns this season after a great effort last season when he finished with 41 total tackles (15 solo) and five tackles for a loss. Swinnie added a pass break-up and one quarterback hurry. He also recovered a pair of fumbles and returned them for a total of 35 yards.

Juan Corders, who excelled as a true freshman last season, will lead the defense into 2007 (Photo by Lee Adams)

            The Rams defensive line will be young with just two starters returning from last season's squad. Junior William Hayes will have to provide leadership on the Rams' defensive front. Hayes was a great performer last season with 57 total tackles (25 solo). He lead the team in tackles for a loss with 13 TFL for a total of 56 yards and led the team in sacks with 6.5 last season. An all-around player with a knack for getting his hands on the football, the big guy also added an interception last season.

            While the WSSU defensive line may need to find some experience, that will not be a problem for the Rams secondary. The team returns five defensive backs to the depth chart in 2007. Last season, the Rams' secondary allowed 1,956 yards passing and 10 passing touchdowns. The 2007 team returns both players at the center of the 3-5-3 formation's all-important "spur" position. Defensive backs Demetrius Rivers and Desmond Jordan both return at the right and left "spur" positions respectively and will look to provide pass defense and support in defending the run. Rivers finished third on the team in total tackles with 66 (33 solo) last season to go along with seven tackles for a loss. He added a sack, an interception, and three pass breakups. Jordan added 28 total tackles (19 solo) along with a fumble recovery. The Rams return both starting cornerbacks from last season as De'Ron Middleton and Thomas Johnson both return following seasons as starters in 2006. Middleton was one of the team's top defenders with 36 total tackles (25 solo) last season. He tied for the team lead with three interceptions and totaled 106 yards in interception returns. Middleton also led the team with four pass breakups. Thomas Johnson returns at the other cornerback position to give the Rams a seasoned duo at the position. Senior Nathaniel Biggs returns at the free safety position. A big hitter in the open field, Biggs finished last season ranked second on the team in total tackles with 76 (35 solo). The free safety added 2.5 tackles for a loss and two pass breakups. He also added a fumble recovery for the Rams in 2006.

            With such a seasoned squad WSSU defensive coordinator Mike Ketchum's defense has a chance to keep the squad in every game this season and will give WSSU fans a lot to look forward to this fall.

SPECIAL TEAMS

One area of concern for the 2007 Rams will be special teams where the team will have to deal with the loss of kicker Chad Oakley. A graduated senior from last season, Oakley left WSSU with every Ram historical punting record and was the team's primary kicker last season. For the season, Oakley led the team with a 43.0 yard-per-punt average to go along with seven fair catches and placing nine inside the 20-yard line. For the season, Oakley totaled 2,277 yards and was the only punter that participated last season. He also handled placekicking duties for the Rams with 41 kickoffs for 2,443 yards and a 59.6 yard average. He had eight touchbacks and placed just one kick out-of-bounds. Oakley was also five-of-six on field goals for the season, including hitting a 48-yard field goal at Savannah State.  Replacing Oakley will be one of the key goals for the Rams this season.

NEWCOMERS

The Winston-Salem State Rams made some great additions in the off-season, highlighted by the addition of defensive lineman William Wall, a transfer from Virginia Tech. Wall, a SuperPrep Top-250 prospect coming out of high school had a great season for the Hokies totaling nine tackles in just five games en route to finishing second on the team in total sacks with three for the Virginia Tech. Also joining the Rams will be the team's 12 National Letter of Intent signees which include a host of talented high school prospects who could contribute right away for the Rams.  

Senior defensive end William Hayes is expected to turn in another stellar season (Photo by Garrett Garms)

            Kicker Matt Mitchell, a 6'0" kicker out of Belmont, North Carolina (South Point High School) will have a chance to help the Rams right away with Oakley's departure. With two spots open on the starting offensive line, Julian Gray, a 6'4" freshman from Westlake High School in Port, Georgia could have a chance to step in right away for the Rams providing some needed depth if he does not challenge for starting duties. The departure of WSSU tight end, Stan Wright will likely open doors for the incoming Lamarcius Jenkins, a 6'4" tight end from Ahoskie, North Carolina's Hertford County High School.

            The Rams youngsters will look to provide some youthful energy to a well seasoned Ram football squad this fall.

SCHEDULE

Winston-Salem State Director of Athletics Dr. Percy `Chico' Caldwell made the most of the Rams' NCAA Division I status and scheduled a dynamic slate of big games for the Rams this season. Highlighting the 2007 season for the WSSU Rams will be the team's October 6 match-up with the Florida A&M Rattlers in the Coca-Cola Circle City Classic at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana.

            The Rams will open 2007 with one of the biggest games of the season when they face rival North Carolina A&T at Bowman Gray Stadium. The Rams will be looking to build upon last season's 41-14 victory over the Aggies. WSSU will have to not only fight for bragging rights, but to also get the 2007 season off to a great start.

            After starting the season at home, the Rams will have to hit the road to face tough competition when they will travel for four straight games, followed by the neutral site meeting with the Rattlers and another road game against Bethune-Cookman. During the stretch, the Rams will face Coastal Carolina, Morgan State, South Carolina State, Howard, Florida A&M,  and Bethune-Cookman away from the friendly confines of Bowman Gray Stadium. The Rams will then return home to face more top-flight competition when they take the top two teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as they host 2006 MEAC Champion Hampton and MEAC Runners-Up Delaware State in back-to-back home games. The Delaware State home game will be an even bigger contest for the Rams with the game being the Homecoming match-up for WSSU. 

            The Rams will have little time to rest as the team will also host another rival when they take on North Carolina Central in the final home game of the season. The Rams and Eagles will match up for a titanic match-up of former CIAA powers. The Rams will wrap up the 2007 season when they play the Norfolk State Spartans in Norfolk, Virginia.

            The 2007 season will offer some challenges for the Winston-Salem State Rams, but meeting and overcoming challenges is what Winston-Salem State University football is all about.