GREENSBORO, N.C. -- North Carolina A&T opens up conference play this Saturday. Morgan State travels to Greensboro for the MEAC matchup that won't count against the conference record. When Hampton University left for the Big South, teams that were left in the MEAC already had scheduled games with the Pirates. The 10 teams left in the conference scrambled to fill their schedules thus leaving an uneven amount of conference games and leaving one game that won't count against the conference record.
- The Aggies are looking at the matchup as a chance to put together a complete game
- The offense looked a little better versus East Carolina compared to Jacksonville
- The Aggies look to extend their 15 game winning streak
Anyway, for North Carolina A&T the 0-3 Morgan St. Bears are a welcome site, despite the Aggies 3-0 record with upset wins against Jacksonville St. and East Carolina. The Aggies are looking at this as a chance to put together a complete game. Let's go back to the first win against Jacksonville St. The Aggies could only muster 148 total offensive yards with only 37 rushing yards on 36 attempts. Moving the ball was a struggle at times with the Aggies losing the first down battle to the Gamecocks 18 to 13. Special teams gave the Aggies a lift with Malik Wilson leading the way. 126 kickoff return yards with a 98-yard return for a touchdown for Wilson. The defense forced 3 turnovers including Darryl Johnson's stripped sack that sealed the 20-17 win.
The offense looked a little better versus East Carolina. 269 total offensive yards for the Aggies but moving the ball on third downs was a struggle once again. The Pirates converted 28 first downs to the Aggies 15. A&T was just 4/13 on the crucial down. The defense forced three turnovers once again, including Franklin McCain's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown. Despite the numbers the win against the FCS opponent was big for the Aggie program. Winning through adversity has been a staple for the fifth ranked FCS program.
In game three against Gardner-Webb the Aggies got their offense rolling. Running the ball 44 times for 291 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Aggies special teams sparked them once again with Kashon Baker's 2 punt returns for 95 yards and a touchdown. The defense piled up 4 sacks and forced another turnover with an interception and allowed the Bulldogs to score two field goals. The 45-6 blowout at home was a momentum builder for "conference play". The Aggies look to extend their 15 game winning streak and do it with all cylinders clicking.