Fayetteville State Overcomes Deficit to Defeat Winston-Salem 23-17

Fayetteville State overcame a 10-point deficit in the final period to defeat Winston-Salem 23-17 on Saturday afternoon at Bowman Gray Stadium, according to fsubroncos.com.

The Broncos (8-3, 7-2 CIAA) entered the fourth quarter trailing 17-7, but a combination of defensive dominance and a late offensive surge allowed them to secure the victory. The win marks a significant momentum shift for Fayetteville State as they head toward the postseason, fueled by a defensive unit that effectively neutralized Winston-Salem’s offense in the closing minutes.

A defensive surge at Bowman Gray Stadium

The game began with Winston-Salem establishing a firm rhythm. The Rams built a 14-0 lead during the first half, highlighted by a seven-yard touchdown run from Jamison Funderburk and a touchdown return on a blocked field goal by Bryce Johnson. Fayetteville State managed to stay within reach during the first half thanks to freshman defensive back Christopher Bentley, who returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown late in the second quarter.

As the game transitioned into the final quarter, the Broncos’ defense shifted the entire complexion of the contest. After John Hernandez-Vargas connected on a 36-yard field goal to narrow the gap, quarterback Jamir Dismukes found Lorenzo Southern for a 10-yard touchdown pass with 7:15 remaining. This score brought Fayetteville State within one point, setting the stage for the decisive drive.

Following a defensive three-and-out, the Broncos offense moved 51 yards over eight plays. Braylon Vinson finished that drive with an 11-yard touchdown run with 1:53 left on the clock, giving Fayetteville State its first lead of the afternoon at 23-17. The defense then closed the door on Winston-Salem’s final possession. Sedrick Clarke recorded back-to-back sacks that resulted in forced fumbles, followed by a sack from Jason Melton II and a seven-yard loss on fourth down by Osirus Rhodes to end the game.

Statistical breakdown of the Broncos’ defensive performance

The statistical output of the Fayetteville State defense illustrates how they limited Winston-Salem to just 171 yards of total offense. The unit recorded several key metrics that dictated the outcome:

Player	Key Defensive Contributions
Osirus Rhodes	3.5 sacks and 4 tackles for loss
Sedrick Clarke	2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles
Christopher Bentley	2 interceptions (including one pick-six)
Jason Melton II	1 interception and 1 sack

Beyond the individual accolades, the team totaled nine sacks, three interceptions, and 12 tackles for loss throughout the afternoon. Chancellor Smith led the team in tackles with a game-high 11.

The path to the CIAA Championship

This victory provides Fayetteville State with critical leverage as they prepare for the CIAA Football Championship Weekend. For the first time in the conference’s history, the championship weekend will feature two postseason games, increasing the stakes for the competing programs.

Fayetteville State Overcomes Deficit to Defeat Winston-Salem 23-17

The Broncos are scheduled to face Virginia State University in the “Friday Night Blitz” on Nov. 13. The matchup is set to begin at 6:00 PM, with stadium gates opening at 5:00 PM and tailgating activities starting at 3:00 PM. Tickets for the championship game are available through the official CIAA website.

On the offensive side, Jamir Dismukes completed 13 of 27 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown, while adding 22 yards on the ground. Braylon Vinson led the rushing attack with 62 yards on 11 carries. For Winston-Salem, Jayden Grimes recorded four receptions for 86 yards, while Funderburk accounted for 40 rushing yards and a touchdown.