Winston-Salem State will take on the reigning HBCU national champions in its season opener.
The Rams announced their 2023 schedule on Friday, and the team will face familiar rival NC Central to begin the ’23 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 2 in Durham. NCCU knocked off Jackson State in overtime to win last year’s Celebration Bowl, earning the mantle of HBCU champ in the process.
Winston-Salem State fans will have to wait a few weeks to see their team at home. The Rams, which don’t currently have a game schedule for Sept. 9 – though that could change, the school says – will host Elizabeth City State on Sept. 16. Other home games come against Bluefield State, Livingstone College and St. Augustine’s.
The Rams only leave the state one time, traveling to Pennsylvania to face Lincoln on Sept. 30. Other road contests include dates at Shaw, Johnson C. Smith and Fayetteville State. The CIAA championship game is scheduled for Nov. 11.
WSSU is coming off a 3-6 season, finishing 3-4 in conference play.
Season tickets will go on sale on April 15 at 1 p.m. during the spring game at Carver High School, per wssurams.com. All HORN$ members will have until May 15 to purchase their reserved seats. Online and in-person ticket sales will begin Monday, April 17 at 9 a.m. Call the WSSU ticket office at (336) 750-3220 for more information.
Winston-Salem State 2023 Schedule
Sept. 2 at NC Central
Sept. 9 Open
Sept. 16 ELIZABETH CITY STATE
Sept. 23 BLUEFIELD STATE
Sept. 30 at Lincoln (Pa.)
Oct. 7 LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE
Oct. 14 at Shaw University
Oct. 21 ST. AUGUSTINE’S
Oct. 28 at Johnson C. Smith
Nov. 4 at Fayetteville State
Nov. 11 CIAA Championship