Darron Downing (Daimeon Banks photo)
DURHAM, NC - Winston-Salem State University racked up 428 yards of total offense, including 289 yards on the ground, while quarterback Rod Tinsley passed for two touchdowns in a 30-23 Rams victory over the Shaw Bears Saturday at Durham County Memorial Stadium.
It was homecoming, as well as Senior Day for Shaw, and the Bears played inspired football in the first half. Junior signal caller Darron Downing punched it in from four yards out to get the scoring started for Shaw - Beni Kensemi followed by a 39-yard field goal extending the lead to 10-0 - Another Downing touchdown run put Shaw up 16-0 late in the first quarter.
Winston-Salem State (7-2, 6-0) would grab a bit of momentum before halftime with a two-play scoring drive. Will Walton had a huge 48-yard reception, followed by a 29-yard touchdown grab by Demeeko Jones, cutting Shaw's lead to 16-7 at the half.
The Rams rode the wave of that late first half score by pounding the ball on the ground. Kerrion Moore rushed for a game-high 151 yards; a touchdown run by Devaughn Hurse of 9-yards followed by Will Johnson's 30-yard field goal gave Winston-Salem their first lead at 17-16. Tinsley then found Michael Benis on a nine yard touchdown pass, and Justin Pickett's 10-yard run put WSSU up 30-16 with 11:24 left to play in the game.
Shaw (1-8, 1-5) has shown plenty of fight all season long; it was certainly much of the same Saturday afternoon. Trailing 30-16 midway through the final quarter, Bears quarterback Darron Downing scored his third touchdown on the ground pulling the Bears to within a touchdown at 30-23.
After a WSSU 3-and-out, Shaw appeared to have excellent field position on a beautiful 38-yard punt return from Bruce Parker, but the play was negated by a blocking penalty. Downing came up 1-yard short on fourth down play to seal the win for the Rams.
Defensively, Shaw was lead by senior Keelon Jones. The Kansas City, MO. native tallied 15 tackles, with 2.5 tackles for loss. Freshman Devon Hunt also had a double figure tackle day with 13.
Shaw will finish the 2016 season on the road as they take on Raleigh Rival, Saint Augustine's University, kick-off is set for Saturday Nov. 5th at 1 p.m.
Notes: Senior wide receiver Trevante Long became Shaw's all-time leader in receptions with his 5 catches for 48-yards. Long now has 96 career receptions, breaking the previous mark of 93 held by both DeAndre Okonju and James Pettway.
Shaw honored eight seniors that have given their heart and soul to the Bears Program, they are as follows: Dwight Campbell, Kendall Evans, DeShawn Harris, Dominique Hannibal, Keelan Jones, Venson Jones Jr., Bruce Parker, and Trevekio Roberts
@sportsbydaimeon
Please visit www.banksboy.com for more sports media content.