By Adrian Ferguson
Atlanta, GA -- Winston-Salem State became the first CIAA team to win a Pioneer Bowl title as the Rams defeated SIAC representative Tuskegee University, 23-7 in the third annual matchup between the two Division II HBCU conferences. Tuskegee was looking to defend its title but the WSSU defense and quarterback Tory Woodbury propelled the Rams to their first post-season victory in eight years.
In front of 6,583 spectators, the largest Pioneer Bowl crowd in its brief history, Tuskegee won the toss and deferred its choice until the second half. Winston-Salem State took the opening kickoff and moved the ball 39 yards in nine plays before punting.
The Rams defense stopped the Golden Tigers on their first possession.
Anthony Hines of WSSU returned TU's first punt of the game for 41 yards to set up the Rams first score. On the second play of their second possession of the game, Woodbury hit tight end Jonathan Williamson with a 21-yard touchdown pass at the 7:24 mark of the first quarter to give WSSU a 7-0 lead.
Tuskegee's stuck with a game plan of keeping the ball on the ground and using running back Michael Scott to carry the load.. The Golden Tigers reached the red zone twice but failed to score, missing a 27 yard field goal attempt and turning the ball over on downs.
The Golden Tigers broke into the scoring column late in the second quarter. WSSU's Woodbury had the ball stripped by Ahmad Whitehead and the fumble was recovered by Antonio Knight at the Ram 16 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Scott ran up the middle to score the Golden Tigers' only touchdown of the game. Jason Lee's PAT was good and the teams went into the locker room tied, 7-7, at the half.
Scott finished with 104 first half rushing yards and looked to have a breakout game in the second half.
However, the WSSU defense had other plans. Nicknamed the "Red Rage", the Ram defenders would only allow Tuskegee 89 yards of total offense in the second half. Led by Carnell Brown and DeRon Alexander, WSSU limited Scott, the SIAC's leading rusher to -1 yard rushing in nine second half attempts.
WSSU took the lead late in the third quarter when Shawn Thomas .kicked a 28 yard field goal to end a 10 play, 40 yard drive. Thomas, who missed the team bus as it left the university on Friday, had missed a field goal attempt earlier.
WSSU scored both times it had the ball in the fourth quarter to remove any doubt about the outcome of the game.
Woodbury completed a 46 yard pass to Ollie Shepherd at 10:22 to extend the lead to 17-7.
On their next possession, WSSU ground out an 11 play, 77 yard drive ending with a 1 yard run by Dontrie Chapman to extend its lead to 23-7 with 1:43 left to play.
Woodbury was named outstanding player for WSSU in the game providing 284 yards in total offense. He completed 14 of 26 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns. He was also the leading Ram rusher with 12 carries for 64 yards.
The top performer for Tuskegee was linebacker Kelvin Powell who finished the game with 11 tackles. Scott closed out the day with 21 carries for 103 yards and one touchdown.
Winston-Salem State finishes the season, 8-3 and breaks the two game winning streak for SIAC teams in the Pioneer Bowl. Tuskegee closes out the season at 9-3.