N.C. A&T Alumni Times

Frustration set in for the 13th-ranked North Carolina A&T football team on the field, on the sideline and maybe even in the coaches booth during the first half of Thursday night’s game against South Carolina State at BB&T Stadium.

But the Aggies had a remedy for their stress. It’s called a running game. In the second half, the Aggies used a combination of fifth-year running back Marquell Cartwright and red-shirt sophomore runner Jah-Maine Martin to bludgeon the S.C. State Bulldogs into submission in a 31-16 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win.

It was the Aggies conference opener as they improved to 4-1 overall while keeping the Bulldogs (0-4, 0-2 MEAC). The win marked the first time the Aggies have defeated the Bulldogs in four consecutive seasons. It was also N.C. A&T’s 19thwin at home in 21 tries.

“I thought coming in if we can get a hat on a hat, they can’t play with us,” said N.C A&T coach Sam Washington. “Sometimes you can get too creative instead of playing fundamental, hard-nosed football. We have to be able to understand our identity and stick to our identity. That’s running the football.”

The Aggies rushed for an incredible 208 yards on 27 carries in the second half to overcome a six-point halftime deficit. The Aggies scored 28 unanswered points to also overcome what was once a 16-3 lead for the Bulldogs. Cartwright put together his seventh career 100-yard game by rushing for 157 yards on 18 carries. Martin chipped in with 92 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.

N.C. A&T’s identity recognition came late in the first half. The Aggies took over the ball at their own 16-yard line with 1:28 remaining in the first half. In what looked like an opportunity to let fifth-year quarterback and reigning MEAC offensive player of the year Lamar Raynard throw it down the field turned into ground and pound exhibition. N.C. A&T exploited the Bulldogs prevent defense which had only one linebacker in the box.

Cartwright had runs of 26 and 10 yards before Martin finished off the four-play drive that included all running plays with a 40-yard touchdown to cut SCSU’s lead to 16-10 at the half.

“We had less than two minutes to get it done so that’s what made it a beauty,” said Washington about the drive. “I’m thinking we don’t have to do anything supernatural, let’s just run the football. We knew they were going to spread out and play either four quarters or two-deep. That means I’ve got five to block five, so let’s give Cartwright a chance. It played out perfectly. They gave us the same look every time.”

What hurt the Bulldogs, even more, was that the Aggies were able to build on their momentum by getting the ball first to start the second half. Cartwright used the occasion to further his torment of SCSU. Cartwright’s 53-yard run on the Aggies opening second-half drive led to Raynard finding sophomore receiver Zachary Leslie on a slant pattern for a 9-yard touchdown pass to give the Aggies their first lead of the game at 17-16.

The Aggies then opened the fourth quarter with Raynard connecting with Greensboro junior Ron Hunt for a 7-yard touchdown pass. That Raynard touchdown pass came before a Raynard TD pass gave Aggie fans a glimpse of the Raynard who had a career junior season. Raynard rolled out left and threw it deep to his good friend and senior receiver Malik Wilson. Wilson caught it in the back of the end zone for a 44-yard touchdown.

Raynard’s best game of the season was easily missed because of how effective the Aggies running game was. Raynard threw for 253 yards and three touchdowns on 19-for-27 passing. It was Raynard’s 10thcareer game where he posted three or more touchdown passes. He now needs five touchdown passes to become the Aggies all-time leader in TD throws. His favorite target on Thursday was Leslie who had a career-highs in receptions (5) and receiving yards (106) and he caught a touchdown pass.

From Washington’s point of view, it all stemmed from the running game.

“The running game opened up the passing game because there was no pressure for (Raynard) to make a play,” said Washington. “We also made some minor corrections to his mechanics. I think that was important too.”

Washington’s defense was also pretty good. They held the Bulldogs offense to 187 yards. N.C. A&T’s special teams struggled, however. A Kashon Baker muffed punt led to the first score of the game as the Bulldogs got the ball at the A&T 20 and later scored on a seven-yard touchdown by Farrika Grier.

A mishap on another punt return gave the Bulldogs their second score. Punt returner Derrek Williams allowed a Jerome Pettiway punt to sail over his head. As he drifted back to catch the punt out of the air, the ball went off of his fingertips and into the end zone where Jermaine Baxley recovered it for a 13-3 Bulldogs lead. SCSU Dillon Bredson added a field goal to put the Aggies in a hole.

“I thought at halftime we collected ourselves and did a much better job,” said Washington. “It began with the running of the football. That was the difference between the first half and second half.”

N.C. A&T returns to action 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6 when they play at Delaware State.