By ADD SEYMOUR JR.
Winston-Salem State fell behind early, and trailed by as many as 24 points to LIU-Post, but fought back, falling just short, losing 48-41 in the first round of the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs on Nov. 19.
In their first playoff appearance since 2013, Winston-Salem State (9-3) actually jumped ahead early on a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown by Jayron Rankin just a couple of minutes into the game. LIU-Post (12-0) settled in and the two squads went back and forth, but a 20-point second quarter had LIU-Post up 37-14 at halftime.
However, the Winston-Salem State offense then went to work in the second half and actually outscored LIU-Post 24-14 the rest of the way. Kerrion Moore rushed for two touchdowns, a 4-yarder in the third quarter and a 2-yarder early in the fourth quarter.
Rod Tinsely threw a 22-yard TD pass to Canard Brown with 5:49 left in the game, pulling WSSU to 48-41.
But the Pioneers got the ball back and never gave it up the rest of the way as they converted on four fourth downs to salt the game away.
Jeff Kidd led LIU-Post with 320 yards and four touchdowns passing. David White led them in rushing with 134 yards rushing while Malik Pierre ran for 115 yards and three TDs.
For WSSU, Moore rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns while Tinsley passed for 278 yards and two touchdowns, but was picked off twice. Defensively, Rankin had 11 tackles, one for a loss, a sack and his interception.
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