Winston-Salem State spoils Shaw's homecoming, edge Bears 30-23

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

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Campbell falls in overtime thriller to Stetson 30-24

Chris  Beaty lines up to defend Jonatho Jerozal

BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Mitchell Brown's 30-yard field goal attempt was blocked and a returned for the game winning touchdown by Donald Payne as Stetson spoiled Campbell's homecoming, beating the Camels 30-24 in overtime. 

De'Shawn Jones gave Campbell (3-3, 1-2) a 10-0 first quarter lead with his ninth rushing touchdown of the season, a 48-yard scamper down the left sideline.  Stetson (4-3, 2-2) would score 24 unanswered points, capped of by a grant Amick 19 yard field goal with 11:04 left in the fourth quarter. 

Both teams lost their starting quarterbacks in the first half due to injury.  The Camels saw Elijah Burress leave just six plays into the game, while Hatters signal caller Gaven DeFilippo went down during Stetsons last drive of the second quarter. 

Backup Anthony Robbins passed for 209 yards and two TD's, including the game tying 6-yarder to Aaron Blockmon with 11 seconds remaining.  Robbins also connected with Blockmon on the two-point conversion to force overtime. 

Notes: Campbell hits the road October 29th to face Pioneer Football league foe Drake in Des Moines, IA.  Kickoff is set for 2:00 PM EST

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Shaw breaks through, takes down Johnson C. Smith 11-8

DURHAM , N.C. - Uriah Bathea's 2-yard touchdown run on fourth and goal with 6:02 to play in the fourth quarter proved to be the game winner as Shaw got their first win of the season, edging Johnson C. Smith by the 11-8 score Saturday at Durham County Memorial Stadium.

The Bears (1-7, 1-4) took an early 3-0 first quarter lead on a 37 yard Beni Kinsemi field goal.  That lead would hold up for most of the first half until the turnover bug bit Shaw once again.  Golden Bulls safety Carlo Thomas picked off Timothy Abbott to set up a 4-yard touchdown pass from Harold Herbin to Rand Wiley, the two-point conversion gave Johnson C. Smith (1-7, 1-4) an 8-3 halftime lead. 

Shaw's defense kept the game close throughout, allowing only 130 yards of total offense by Johnson C. Smith.  Domonique Hannibal backed up his CIAA defensive lineman of the week award with another strong effort.  The Chesapeake, V.A. native tallied a team-high seven tackles; Keelan Jones, Rashad Mosley, and Devon Hunt each recorded 5 stops for the Shaw defense. 

The afformentioned Bathea rushed for 62 yards to go along with the game clinching score, while Sophomore Ray Green Jr. lead the team with 43 yards receiving, including a gorgeous 27-yard catch in the first half. 

Saturdays win was the first for head coach Adrian Jones on the collegiate level.  Jones previously was the running backs coach at North Carolina Central University - Prior to his stint at NC Central,  Jones was head coach at Southern Durham High School, were he lead the Spartans to the 2013 NCHSAA 3-AA State Championship.  

Notes: Shaw will host Winston-Salem State University next Saturday October 29th for homecoming.  Kick off is set for 1p.m.

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Shaw breaks through, takes down Johnson C. Smith 11-8

DURHAM , N.C. - Uriah Bathea's 2-yard touchdown run on fourth and goal with 6:02 to play in the fourth quarter proved to be the game winner as Shaw got their first win of the season, edging Johnson C. Smith by the 11-8 score Saturday at Durham County Memorial Stadium.

The Bears (1-7, 1-4) took an early 3-0 first quarter lead on a 37 yard Beni Kinsemi field goal.  That lead would hold up for most of the first half until the turnover bug bit Shaw once again.  Golden Bulls safety Carlo Thomas picked off Timothy Abbott to set up a 4-yard touchdown pass from Harold Herbin to Rand Wiley, the two-point conversion gave Johnson C. Smith (1-7, 1-4) an 8-3 halftime lead. 

Shaw's defense kept the game close throughout, allowing only 130 yards of total offense by Johnson C. Smith.  Domonique Hannibal backed up his CIAA defensive lineman of the week award with another strong effort.  The Chesapeake, V.A. native tallied a team-high seven tackles; Keelan Jones, Rashad Mosley, and Devon Hunt each recorded 5 stops for the Shaw defense. 

The afformentioned Bathea rushed for 62 yards to go along with the game clinching score, while Sophomore Ray Green Jr. lead the team with 43 yards receiving, including a gorgeous 27-yard catch in the first half. 

Saturdays win was the first for head coach Adrian Jones on the collegiate level.  Jones previously was the running backs coach at North Carolina Central University - Prior to his stint at NC Central,  Jones was head coach at Southern Durham High School, were he lead the Spartans to the 2013 NCHSAA 3-AA State Championship.  

Notes: Shaw will host Winston-Salem State University next Saturday October 29th for homecoming.  Kick off is set for 1p.m.

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