Most of the 6,400 plus fans at Bowman Gray Stadium didn’t see the second half of Winston-Salem State’s opener against UNC-Pembroke due to a lightning strike that cleared the stadium at halftime. It would have been merely a formality, however, as WSSU coasted to an easy 38-7 win over the nationally-ranked Braves.
Besides being the season opener, the game marked Kienus Boulware head coaching debut. At least for one night, he stepped out of the shadow of his former boss, current Hampton coach Connell Maynor.
WSSU struck hard and fast, scoring three first quarter touchdowns to take a commanding 21-0 lead into the second quarter. By the time the officials suspended the game for lightning, WSSU had a comfortable 31-0 lead.
The offensive star of the game was receiver Marcel Carver, who caught ten passes for 154 yards, including a 63 yard touchdown pass from Don Rasberry on a double-pass in the first quarter. Running backs Maurice Lewis (11 carries for 46 yards) and Tyree Massey (7 rushes for 29 yards) both scored on the ground.
And what about WSSU’s supposed quarterback “controversy?” Rudy Johnson ended up getting the start, but former Alabama/Virginia QB Phil Sims also played. The duo went a combined 24-for-38 passing with 227 yards and one touchdown. Both players seemed happy with the win and content with the situation as is.
Boulware certainly seemed content with having two capable quarterbacks.
“As long as the two-quarterback system works,” he said, “I’m all for it.”
WSSU will travel to Georgia next week to take on Valdosta State. WSSU and Valdosta last meet in the 2012 Division II Title Game where VSU won 38-21.
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