Winston-Salem State plays in late-season big game for first time since 2016 – Winston-Salem Journal

The Rams haven’t been in contention for a CIAA Championship berth this late in the season since 2016, and coach Robert Massey is excited.

“Coach Massey preaches every week that this is big because it’s next,” Rams offensive lineman Keith Quick said. “We have a historic rivalry with Johnson K. Smith, but we have to come out and get that win.”

The Golden Bulls are 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the CIAA, tied with Virginia Union for first place. The Rams are 6-2 and 4-1 and will have an open week next Saturday before their final home game against Fayetteville State on Nov. 9.

Quick says the offensive line is consistent.

“We’re a very talented offensive line, and even though we have some guys injured, we’re deep, so we just plug in and play, so we’ll be fine,” Quick said.

Jasan Rankin, a linebacker, isn’t playing down how big Saturday’s game will be.

“It’s for all the marbles,” Rankin said. “We know Johnson K. Smith is a great team, but we know what they bring and we’ve been preparing for that all season.”

Since Massey was an NFL rookie during his playing days, he dealt with contracts. He’s also dealt with contracts in his nearly 30 years as a college coach, so he’s not worried about what could happen.

The Rams are having their best season under Massey, who is in his fifth season. His contract, which he signed three years ago, is for four years and expires after the 2025 season.

Etienne Thomas, the director of athletics, did not want to talk about Massi’s contract, but said how well this season has gone.

“Every year we evaluate our goals with each of our head coaches,” Thomas said. “We’re talking about recruiting, staffing, and all of these parts and contracts to me are very much a staffing issue.”

Thomas came to WSSU just before COVID-19 hit, and Massey, who was the interim head coach at the time, led the Rams through it. He was the interim head coach for two seasons before being given the job permanently ahead of the 2022 season.

In 2022 and ’23, the Rams had just four wins in each of those seasons.

“The Legacy Project came from Coach Massey during the interview process and he built it with the student-athletes, the staff according to that plan,” Thomas said. “We’ve added some scholarships that he talked about and the summer school where guys can come to classes.”

Thomas said summer school paid for by athletics will continue next summer and more will be added to the 28 scholarships Massey now has.

“It’s great to see his plan come to the surface and he’s moved this program forward,” Thomas said. “I’m not surprised by that. I didn’t hire Massey and say just add water and mix, I hired him to build a program and maintain it.”

While this is a big game in the standings, Saturday is also a chance to recognize the many seniors for the Rams.

There will be more than 20 seniors who will be recognized before the game along with their families. Although the Rams have one more home game on Nov. 9, which is a home game, so getting recognition from the seniors will be on Saturday.

Rankin, a Reidsville native who has been with the program for five years, has seen it improve.

“I’ve got three games left,” Rankin said, showing his level of confidence heading into the CIAA championship game. “We want to keep this thing going so it’s exciting and I like the way the defense has come together this season.”

Greensboro senior defensive back Justin Fleming was selected to play in the HBCU Legacy Bowl in February in New Orleans.

Fleming, who is a CIAA Defensive Player of the Year candidate, is invited to the game as part of the NFL offering HBCU players a chance to perform.

The game, which will be Feb. 22 at 4 p.m. and will be broadcast on the NFL Network, is presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame.

Fleming has three interceptions this season, returning one for a touchdown. He has nine interceptions for his career and has 59 tackles and 3.5 sacks with a blocked punt this season.