BCFHOF Classic: Central State flexes ‘super powers’ to take down Winston-Salem State 41-21
Central State University showed off its super powers on offense and defense to open the season with a 41-21 victory Sunday over Winston-Salem State University in the Black College Hall of Fame Classic at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
The game between two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) was the featured event in a Labor Day weekend celebration that included activities around the city and on the campus of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which also is home to the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
The Marauders (1-0) were able to overcome four turnovers by forcing the Rams (0-1) into four turnovers of their own. The Marauders started a new tradition this season in having defensive players who collect turnovers sport the Marauder Turnover Glove, which resembles the Infinity Gauntlet worn on the hand of Thanos in Marvel’s “Avengers” movies.
“I’m proud of our kids. They’ve come a long way,” said Kevin Porter, who is in his first season as Central State’s head coach. “Our program has been down, and to have 60 new guys (perform well) says a lot about the work they’ve put in.”
Things got off to a fast start for Central State when one of those newcomers, freshman wide receiver Twon Hines, returned the opening kickoff 81 yards to the WSSU 4-yard line. After a delay of game penalty against the Marauders, junior quarterback Brandon Kyles found Hines two plays later for a 7-yard touchdown pass to give the Marauders a 7-0 lead 31 seconds into the game.
After WSSU’s first possession ended with a punt, Central State was on the move again when things got wild. Kyles connected with Hines on a 52-yard completion. A 21-yard pass to freshman EJ Wash put the Marauders at the 3-yard line, but Rams linebacker Kairon Martin recovered a fumble by Kyles at the 11 and returned it to the 26-yard line.
On the next play, Rams senior quarterback Dominique Graves fumbled at the end of a 10-yard run. The fumble was forced by linebacker Jalil Lenore and recovered by sophomore linebacker Dajhon McNeal at the Rams’ 36-yard line.
Five plays later, sophomore defensive back Justin Fleming intercepted a pass from Kyles and returned it 2 yards to the Rams’13-yard line.
Two plays after that, Rams quarterback Richard Latimer was intercepted by the Marauders’ Anthony Mack, who returned the ball 25 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead for Central State.
After a missed 27-yard field goal attempt by the Rams’ Jobanni Esparza, the turnover carousel continued. Kyles threw a third-down interception, again to Fleming, who returned this one 25 yards for a touchdown, closing the gap to 14-7.
Penalties played a large role in the game, with flags flying often. WSSU was penalized 15 times for 133 yards; CSU was penalized 15 times for 129 yards.
The Rams took advantage of a penalty that didn’t count in the final tally when Latimer connected with wide receiver R.J. Mobley for a 23-yard touchdown on what amounted to a free play after the Marauders’ defense jumped offside. Mobley made a leaping catch over a defender, and the infraction was declined, tying the score at 14-14. The 11-play, 90-yard drive include three penalties that counted against CSU and the big one that was declined.
The Marauders responded with a 10-play, 60-yard drive that was capped by a 3-yard touchdown run by junior running back Kaz Dina, putting CSU up 21-14.
Following a halftime show that featured the renowned marching bands of each of the HBCUs, the Marauders struck first in the third quarter, which began as a light rain was falling. This time, Kyles found senior wide receiver Kenyadus Hollins Jr. for a 13-yard touchdown pass. A fumble by the Rams’ Latimer was recovered by Lenore to set up the short scoring drive. The extra-point kick attempt was blocked, making the score 27-14.
On the ensuing possession, Latimer took advantage of another pending defensive offside penalty to find Mobley, this time for a 43-yard touchdown pass that closed the gap to 27-21.
The Marauders took control after that score, however, topping off a 14-play, 70-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run from junior running back Aaron Kennebrew late in the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Kyles found Micah Lowe for a 21-yard touchdown pass to close out the scoring.
The Hall of Fame environment included nearly 14,000 fans who attended the game.
“It’s bucket-list stuff,” said WSSU coach Robert Massey about coming to Canton. “This puts the university on the national map. ... It was a great experience, but our main goal was to come here and win.”
Kyles finished the day with 277 yards passing, three touchdowns and three interceptions for the Marauders. Hines had seven receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown; Lowe had eight catches for 69 yards and a TD. Kennebrew was the leading rusher with nine carries for 41 yards and a touchdown.
For the Rams, Latimer threw for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Mobley had four receptions for 73 yards and two TDs. Asa Barnes was the team’s leading rusher with 19 carries for 107 yards.
Central State’s Lenore, a redshirt freshman linebacker from Chicago, was named the Defensive Player of the Game.
WSSU’s Mobley, a junior from Columbia, S.C., was selected as the Offensive Player of the Game.
The game between two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) was the featured event in a Labor Day weekend celebration that included activities around the city and on the campus of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which also is home to the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
The Marauders (1-0) were able to overcome four turnovers by forcing the Rams (0-1) into four turnovers of their own. The Marauders started a new tradition this season in having defensive players who collect turnovers sport the Marauder Turnover Glove, which resembles the Infinity Gauntlet worn on the hand of Thanos in Marvel’s “Avengers” movies.
“I’m proud of our kids. They’ve come a long way,” said Kevin Porter, who is in his first season as Central State’s head coach. “Our program has been down, and to have 60 new guys (perform well) says a lot about the work they’ve put in.”
Things got off to a fast start for Central State when one of those newcomers, freshman wide receiver Twon Hines, returned the opening kickoff 81 yards to the WSSU 4-yard line. After a delay of game penalty against the Marauders, junior quarterback Brandon Kyles found Hines two plays later for a 7-yard touchdown pass to give the Marauders a 7-0 lead 31 seconds into the game.
After WSSU’s first possession ended with a punt, Central State was on the move again when things got wild. Kyles connected with Hines on a 52-yard completion. A 21-yard pass to freshman EJ Wash put the Marauders at the 3-yard line, but Rams linebacker Kairon Martin recovered a fumble by Kyles at the 11 and returned it to the 26-yard line.
On the next play, Rams senior quarterback Dominique Graves fumbled at the end of a 10-yard run. The fumble was forced by linebacker Jalil Lenore and recovered by sophomore linebacker Dajhon McNeal at the Rams’ 36-yard line.
Five plays later, sophomore defensive back Justin Fleming intercepted a pass from Kyles and returned it 2 yards to the Rams’13-yard line.
Two plays after that, Rams quarterback Richard Latimer was intercepted by the Marauders’ Anthony Mack, who returned the ball 25 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead for Central State.
After a missed 27-yard field goal attempt by the Rams’ Jobanni Esparza, the turnover carousel continued. Kyles threw a third-down interception, again to Fleming, who returned this one 25 yards for a touchdown, closing the gap to 14-7.
Penalties played a large role in the game, with flags flying often. WSSU was penalized 15 times for 133 yards; CSU was penalized 15 times for 129 yards.
The Rams took advantage of a penalty that didn’t count in the final tally when Latimer connected with wide receiver R.J. Mobley for a 23-yard touchdown on what amounted to a free play after the Marauders’ defense jumped offside. Mobley made a leaping catch over a defender, and the infraction was declined, tying the score at 14-14. The 11-play, 90-yard drive include three penalties that counted against CSU and the big one that was declined.
The Marauders responded with a 10-play, 60-yard drive that was capped by a 3-yard touchdown run by junior running back Kaz Dina, putting CSU up 21-14.
Following a halftime show that featured the renowned marching bands of each of the HBCUs, the Marauders struck first in the third quarter, which began as a light rain was falling. This time, Kyles found senior wide receiver Kenyadus Hollins Jr. for a 13-yard touchdown pass. A fumble by the Rams’ Latimer was recovered by Lenore to set up the short scoring drive. The extra-point kick attempt was blocked, making the score 27-14.
On the ensuing possession, Latimer took advantage of another pending defensive offside penalty to find Mobley, this time for a 43-yard touchdown pass that closed the gap to 27-21.
The Marauders took control after that score, however, topping off a 14-play, 70-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run from junior running back Aaron Kennebrew late in the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Kyles found Micah Lowe for a 21-yard touchdown pass to close out the scoring.
The Hall of Fame environment included nearly 14,000 fans who attended the game.
“It’s bucket-list stuff,” said WSSU coach Robert Massey about coming to Canton. “This puts the university on the national map. ... It was a great experience, but our main goal was to come here and win.”
Kyles finished the day with 277 yards passing, three touchdowns and three interceptions for the Marauders. Hines had seven receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown; Lowe had eight catches for 69 yards and a TD. Kennebrew was the leading rusher with nine carries for 41 yards and a touchdown.
For the Rams, Latimer threw for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Mobley had four receptions for 73 yards and two TDs. Asa Barnes was the team’s leading rusher with 19 carries for 107 yards.
Central State’s Lenore, a redshirt freshman linebacker from Chicago, was named the Defensive Player of the Game.
WSSU’s Mobley, a junior from Columbia, S.C., was selected as the Offensive Player of the Game.
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