Thursday, December 13, 2012

Winston-Salem seeks first NCAA Division title against Valdosta on Saturday

FLORENCE, Alabama -- Not that you're hustling to plop down a bet on the NCAA Division II national championship game this Saturday, but if you do, you might want to take the over. This one promises to keep the scoreboard operator busy.

Winston-Salem State, ranked No. 2 in the final coaches' poll, averaged 42.69 points per game this year. Opponent Valdosta State, ranked No. 17, averaged 42.67 points. Those were the fifth- and sixth-most productive scoring machines in Division II.

Meanwhile, Winston-Salem was a modest eighth in scoring defense, Valdosta just 31st.

NCAA VIDEO: WSSU ON CAMPUS

Winston-Salem State (14-0) comes into the title game (noon CST at Braly Stadium, ESPN2 live telecast) as the least-experienced but in some ways most motivated of the two.

The Rams were also undefeated as they cruised into last season's tournament semifinals, standing at 13-0 before losing to Wayne State, 21-14.

The pass-happy Rams are led by quarterback Kameron Smith, who has completed 198 of 322 passes for 3,043 yards and 42 touchdowns.

Winston-Salem, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association champ, has had little exposure to the NCAA tournament. The Rams reached the second round in 1978, then lost in the first round in 1987, 1990 and 1991 before their march to the semis last season.

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