WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Winston-Salem State shook off a stressful week of being in the national limelight for all the wrong reasons in time to beat Slippery Rock 27-20 on Saturday afternoon in the Division II football playoffs.
Eight days after the Rams’ starting quarterback, Rudy Johnson, was attacked by Virginia State players in a bathroom during a luncheon the day before the CIAA championship, he did enough to keep the Rams’ season going.
Johnson was the only captain Coach Connell Maynor sent out for the coin toss to open the game. While he didn’t play a perfect game — three of his interceptions led to The Rock’s three touchdowns — he did enough to keep the season going.
Thanks to the Rams’ defense, which is ranked No. 1 in Division II, they advanced to Saturday’s second-round game against top-seed Shepherd (10-0).
Winston-Salem held Slippery Rock to a season-low 210 yards.
