In their highly anticipated season opener, the Albany State Golden Rams were defeated (30-7) by the Wingate Bulldogs on Friday evening at Irwin Belk Stadium in Wingate, North Carolina.  With the loss, the Golden Rams begin the Quinn Gray Era (0-1).
 
The Golden Rams received the opening kickoff, but fumbled on their first offensive play of the game.  After recovering the fumble in the red zone, the Bulldogs took a (7-0) lead after Noah Bell scored a 2-yard run.
 
The Bulldogs struck again at the 11:15 mark in the 1^st quarter when Alexander Wilson scored on a 23-yard run to give the Bulldogs a (14-0) lead over the Golden Rams.
 
In the 2^nd quarter, the Bulldogs took a (17-0) lead after Caleb Bonesteel connected on a 31-yard field goal.
 
After receiving the ball in the 3^rd quarter, the Bulldogs struck again when Tremel Jones caught a 62-yard touchdown pass from Noah Bell to extend Wingate's lead to (23-0).
 
With 2:09 remaining in the 3^rd quarter, Noah Bell connected with Matt Flanders for a 25-yard touchdown pass to give the Bulldogs a commanding (30-0) lead over the Golden Rams.
 
In the 4^th quarter, the Golden Rams freshman running back, Frederick Gaines, caught a 12 yard touchdown pass from Isaiah Knowles to cut the Bulldogs lead to (30-7).  The drive covered 80 yards in 11 plays.
 
The Golden Rams finished with 16 total first downs.  The Golden Rams tallied 252 yards of total offense, with 74 yards on the ground and 178 passing yards.  The Golden Rams lost 3 costly fumbles in the game.
 
Isaiah Knowles finished 13/22 for 96 yards and 1 touchdown.  Knowles also led the Golden Rams with 29 rushing yards.  Dionte Bonneau was 9/16 with 82 yards.  Ralph Lovett led the Golden Rams in receiving with 4 receptions and 54 yards.
 
Defensively, Ahman Ross and Randy Fillingame led the Golden Rams with 9 total tackles each.  Fillingame also had a sack for the Golden Rams.  Derrick Drayton finished with 2 tackles for a loss.  Jalen Mitchell recorded the game's lone interception.
 
The Golden Rams will host the Valdosta State Blazers at 6:00 pm at the Albany Municipal Stadium on Saturday, September 9. 
 
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