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Early turnovers kill WSSU
Rams lose 45-14 to California Davis, remain winless this season
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Published: October 19, 2009
DAVIS, CALIF. - Winston-Salem State remained winless with a 45-14 loss to California Davis on Saturday night.
Three first-half turnovers proved too much to overcome for the Rams (0-6). The Aggies (3-3) scored a touchdown after each turnover to cruise to the easy victory.
Coach Kermit Blount of the Rams, whose team has lost eight in a row dating back to last season, said: "We gave up too much. We gave up too much, too early. The three turnovers in the first half killed us."
The Aggies led 7-0 when WSSU's John Harris was tackled on the ensuing kickoff and fumbled. The Aggies scored a second touchdown in 13 seconds for a 14-0 lead.
In the second quarter, Rams running back Nathan Munford fumbled and Eric Sobotka scooped up the ball and ran 34 yards for a TD and a 31-0 lead with 6:32 left in the half.
Later, the Aggies recovered a fumbled by fullback John Thompson of the Rams. Quarterback Greg Denham of the Aggies then hit Dean Rogers with a 25-yard touchdown pass for a 38-0 lead at halftime. California Davis scored on five of their first six possessions.
Denham was 13 of 16 passing for 220 yards and three touchdowns.
The Rams finally scored with 2:17 left in the third when quarterback Jarrett Dunston threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Lorenzo Barr.
The Rams' special teams then had a breakdown as Joe Gray returned the ensuing kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown and a 45-7 lead.
Dunston's 1-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Kinzer with 12:07 left made it 45-14.
The Aggies had 312 yards of offense and the Rams 258, but the three turnovers were the big difference.
Dunston was 11 of 19 passing for 152 yards with two touchdowns and Munford, who made his first career start, had 46 yards on 14 carries.
Jean Julmiste, WSSU's third-string quarterback and a junior-college transfer, saw his first extensive playing time at wide receiver and made three catches for 48 yards.
Defensive lineman James Pegues had six tackles and was credited with 21/2 sacks for the Rams, who will play their fifth straight road game Saturday against Bethune-Cookman.
Coach Bob Biggs of California Davis said: "It was a good win. We capitalized in the first half on some of their turnovers, and we were able to produce some touchdowns and we got that lead. I was really pleased in the first half, in particular, that we were able to mount some offense and put some balls in the end zone."
The six-game losing streak this season is the longest in Blount's 17 years as coach and the longest since 1975 when the Rams went 1-9.
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