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Winston-Salem State is just the second HBCU football team to advance to the NCAA Division II national championship.

WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY

Winston-Salem State is the second historically-black college to play for the NCAA Division II football championship. The Rams play Valdosta State (Ga.) for the title.

The Rams defeated West Texas A&M 41-18 for the chance to meet the Gulf South Conference’s Valdosta State (Ga.) in Florence, Ala., Saturday at 1 p.m before a live ESPN2 audience. The Blazers won DII national titles in 2004 and 2007.

Garner High graduate Kameron Smith threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Maurice Lewis rushed for 118 yards and two scores.

Central State (Ohio) was the first HBCU to advance to a championship game. The Marauders lost to North Dakota State in 1983.

Since last year’s semifinal loss to Wayne State (Mich.), the Rams have waited for this moment.

“Winning another CIAA championship would be nice, but our goal is to win the national championship,” Smith said. “Ever since we lost in the semifinals, that has been our goal – to get back to the semifinals and to go even further.”

No. 2-ranked Winston-Salem State will try to become just the fifth team in DII history to go 15-0 in a season. A Rams victory would also give the CIAA its second national title this year. Shaw women won the DII basketball championship in March.

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