Box Score Winston-Salem State saw too much of bruising running back Tabyus Taylor of Virginia Union in a 27-19 loss on Saturday, September 22, at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Taylor scored three touchdowns as the sophomore, who is 6-feet and about 250 pounds, bowled his way through the WSSU defense for 138 yards on 25 carries.

The Rams fell to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in CIAA play while the Panthers improved to 2-1 and 1-0.

"Hats off to those guys and I knew that Virginia Union had some good personnel and coach (Alvin) Parker and his staff did a great job," WSSU Head Coach Kienus Boulware said of the Panthers, favorites to reach the CIAA championship game. "We did a good job of fighting back and I do look at the positive side. We do have some offense moving forward."

Taylor got the Panthers off to a good start with a 1 yard run in the first quarter before Jefferson Souza added a 21-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead, which stood up until halftime.

Taylor scored again with 3:50 left in the third quarter to make it a 24-7 advantage for the Panthers.

"Tabyus is that guy who got hurt in the game before we played them last year so he didn't play against us," said Boulware. "He is tough to bring down and I thought their offensive line played a whale of a game."

Taylor, who has scored eight touchdowns in three games for the Panthers, was all smiles after the game. Despite carrying the load on offense he had enough energy to serenade the Virginia Union band after the game.

"I'm just blessed for this opportunity," Taylor said. "I just take it one game at a time and one play at a time."

Taylor said he knew the Rams, who had the best rushing defense in the CIAA, were going to be tough.

"I knew their defense was good and they like to load up on the box," Taylor said. "I didn't think I'd have a good rushing game but it ended up being a pretty good game. My offensive line did great and I can name them all if you want me to.

"They all just came in and helped me find the holes."

The Rams cut the lead to 24-13 but Souza added a late field goal to push the margin to 27-13.