WSSU is likely to switch passers

Williams could play for injured Dunston

By: By John Dell | JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: September 10, 2009

Winston-Salem State most likely will have a new starting quarterback tonight when it plays Florida A&M at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Senior Jarrett Dunston sprained his right ankle in last week's 19-10 loss to N.C. A&T, hasn't practiced all week and was limping noticeably yesterday at the WSSU field house.

Coach Kermit Blount was coy about the starter, but every indication is that it will be redshirt freshman Branden Williams.

Kickoff will be at 7:30, with television coverage on ESPNU (Time Warner Ch. 143).

The Rams had just 90 yards of offense last week, with two turnovers and several mishandled Shotgun snaps, and correcting those mistakes has been emphasized in practice.

"I've had some people ask me about what's wrong with the offense," Blount said. "I had one guy ask me after the game, and I said, ‘Look, I don't come on your job asking you about things.' It's just a work in progress and considering we lost Jarrett during the game that was a huge loss for us."

Williams, from Seale, Ala., replaced Dunston after the injury but was ineffective in his first game action since his senior year of high school. He was 4 for 13 passing for 42 yards and lost a key fumble that led to an A&T field goal in the fourth quarter.

"Obviously we have to slow Branden down and get him in sync with the offense, and I think it's going to come," Blount said. "We've had three days to get Branden prepared…. We missed some assignments on Saturday, and at the same time at the quarterback position, we missed some reads because we did have some people open.

"It's a young group, and we talk about the receiving corps but there's only really two guys that have seen extensive playing time."

The Rams also have an injury at wide receiver. Freshman Jarrin Wooten injured a shoulder against A&T and is not expected to play. "We don't know how long he'll be out," Blount said.

A concern for the Rams defense will be containing senior quarterback Curtis Pulley, a threat as a runner and passer. Defense lineman Kevin Dorsey said that the Rams would be ready.

"It does present a challenge, but I don't think a running quarterback has been that much of a problem in the past because we do have a fast defense," Dorsey said. "We don't really have a big defensive line, but we are quick and that helps us."

WSSU's defense was on the field for long stretches against A&T, which was also a problem last season, but Dorsey said that the extra time doesn't bother him.

"I love playing football ,so when they say go out on the field some more, I love it," Dorsey said. "That's why we are here to play, and I don't feel like we get tired no matter how long we are out there. As long as I'm on the field, I'm happy."

The defense did a lot of good things against A&T, which crossed the WSSU 30 five times but managed only two touchdowns from those trips.

"Last week we made some mistakes, but we are better football team than we showed," Dorsey said.

The Rams are 6-4 in televised games over the last seven years, and to improve on that mark, Blount said, they will have to slow the Rattlers.

"I think we can neutralize their speed if it's a team effort," Blount said. "If we try to make individual plays, they certainly will be faster than us, so it's got to be the team that rises to the challenge."

■ John Dell can be reached at 727-4081 or at jdell@wsjournal.com.