D2-CFB Game Preview: Winston-Salem State Rams (3-3) vs. Shaw Bears (1-4)

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Venue & Game Details

Location: Durham County Memorial Stadium, Raleigh, NC

Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET

Event Theme: Shaw Homecoming

Broadcast: CIAA Sports Network / ESPN+

Weather Forecast (Raleigh, NC)

Kickoff Temp: ~68°F

Conditions: Mostly sunny, light clouds

Wind: NW at 5–8 mph

Impact: Minimal; excellent football weather

Injury Report

Winston-Salem State: No major injuries reported; QB Daylin Lee fully active

Shaw: No major injuries reported; WR Cobie Bates expected to play despite minor ankle issue

Player Matchups

Winston-Salem State Rams

QB Daylin Lee: 278 yards, 3 TD vs Virginia Union; strong arm, improving consistency

RB Curtis Allen: 738 rushing yards, 8 TD (CIAA leader)

WR Jaylen Moore: 300+ yards, 3 TD; reliable deep threat

LB Jamieson Alston: 13 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 sacks vs Bowie State

Shaw Bears

QB Keyshaun Powell: 14-yard TD pass late vs Bluefield State; dual-threat ability

WR Cobie Bates: 3+ catches in 3 of 4 games; possession receiver

WR Brandon Wiley: 65.5 YPG, 3 TD; top vertical threat

DB Jaden Perkins: 2 INTs, 7 tackles vs Lincoln (PA); defensive playmaker

Key Battle: WSSU’s rushing attack (Allen) vs Shaw’s defensive front, which has been inconsistent against power backs.

Team Records & Recent Form

Winston-Salem State

L vs Virginia Union 44-34

W @ Bowie State 28-21

L vs Virginia State 34-33

W vs Lincoln (PA) 51-14

W @ Mars Hill 28-25

L vs Tuskegee 20-17

Shaw

L vs Bluefield State 35-33

L vs Virginia Union 59-7

W @ Lincoln (PA) 36-21

L @ Ferrum 14-6

L vs Albany State 51-7

Series History

All-time since 2010: Winston-Salem State leads 9-5

Last meeting (Oct 12, 2024): WSSU 34, Shaw 14

WSSU has won 3 straight (2022–2024)

Shaw’s last win: 2021 (38-14 in Raleigh)

Betting Trends

Winston-Salem State: 3-3 SU, 3-3 ATS; 4-2 O/U

Shaw: 1-4 SU, 2-3 ATS; 4-1 O/U

WSSU has covered in 3 straight vs Shaw

Shaw overs have hit in 4 of 5 games

Game Odds

Winston-Salem State Rams         – 9.5

Shaw Bears                                         49.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 10, 2025

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Profile: A dedicated college football analyst with a deep understanding of the sport’s tactical complexity, recruiting landscape, and conference‑wide dynamics. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage of the NCAA football season, blending film study, statistical insight, and historical context to explain how programs evolve from Week 1 through bowl season and the College Football Playoff. Background: With extensive experience covering Division I football, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on coaching trends, roster construction, and player development. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking long‑term program trajectories across all major conferences. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and tactical matchups Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Recruiting analysis, transfer‑portal movement, and roster‑building strategy Coaching philosophies, scheme evolution, and conference‑wide trends Historical context, rivalry features, and postseason analysis Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes, advanced metrics, and recruiting data into insights that resonate with both long‑time college football fans and new followers of the sport. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the tradition, passion, and unpredictability that define NCAA football.