NCAA recently announced that the Aggies led the nation in rush defense for the 2013 football season. As a result, the Aggies will receive a plaque marking this feat. The Aggies allowed just 90.3 yards rushing yards per game, which was six-tenths of a yard better than S.C. State nationally. North Carolina A&T had the fourth overall ranked defense behind S.C. State, North Dakota State and Hampton. Earning the No. 1 run defense in the nation adds to a season where the Aggies went 7-4, defeated Appalachian State, had the MEAC Rookie of the Year in Tarik Cohen and Cohen finished the top-10 (No.9) in voting for the Jerry Rice Award which recognizes the best freshman in Division I-FCS.

Cohen also led all FCS freshmen in rushing with 104.4 yards per game, while earning BOXTOROW.COM Newcomer of the Year and BOXTOROW.COM All-American honorable mention honors. The Aggies finished 7-4 overall and 4-4 in the MEAC.

Defense has been the identity of the A&T football program since head coach Rod Broadway arrived in 2011. They had the seventh-ranked rush defense in 2011. The following year, they led the nation in pass efficiency defense, second in rush defense and sixth in pass defense.

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