2014 North Carolina A&T Aggies football team

2014 North Carolina A&T Aggies football
MEAC co-champion
ConferenceMid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Record9–3 (6–2 MEAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorRickey Bustle (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorSam Washington (4th season)
Home stadiumAggie Stadium
Seasons
← 2013
2015 →
2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 23 Bethune–Cookman +   6 – 2     9 – 3  
North Carolina A&T +   6 – 2     9 – 3  
South Carolina State +   6 – 2     8 – 4  
North Carolina Central +   6 – 2     7 – 5  
Morgan State +^   6 – 2     7 – 6  
Norfolk State   4 – 4     4 – 8  
Howard   3 – 5     5 – 7  
Florida A&M *   3 – 5     3 – 9  
Hampton   2 – 6     3 – 9  
Delaware State   2 – 6     2 – 10  
Savannah State *   0 – 8     0 – 12  
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
  • * Florida A&M and Savannah State ineligible for FCS Playoffs due to APR violations
Rankings from The Sports Network poll

The 2014 North Carolina A&T Aggies football team represented North Carolina A&T State University as a member of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) during the 2014 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Rod Broadway, the Aggies compiled an overall record of 9–3 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, placing in a five-way tie for the MEAC title with Bethune–Cookman, Morgan State, North Carolina Central, and South Carolina State. Morgan State received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Football Championship. None of the other co-champions earned an at-large bid. North Carolina A&T played home games at Aggie Stadium in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Before the season

[edit]

During the annual MEAC Media Day, North Carolina A&T were selected to finish 3rd in the conference.[1] The conference also released the 2014 All-MEAC Preseason team, which included 10 North Carolina A&T Aggies. Of the 10 players named, sophomore Running back Tarik Cohen, senior Wide receiver Desmond Lawrence, fifth-year Offensive Lineman Willie Robinson, and fifth-year Linebacker D'Vonte Grant were named to the conference's first team.[2]

Recruiting

[edit]
US college sports recruiting information for 2014 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Timadre Abram
DB 		Lakeland, FL Kathleen HS 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 165 lb (75 kg) Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Shawn Best
OL 		New Bern, NC New Bern HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Marquell Cartwright
RB 		High Point, NC T.W. Andrews HS 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Jamaal Darden
LB 		Raeford, NC Hoke County 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Feb 1, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Courtney Edmonds
LB 		Graham, NC Graham HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Frank Foster
QB 		El Cajon, CA Southwestern College/Valhalla HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Khris Gardin
WR 		Morganton, NC Freedom HS 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Leroy Hill
LB 		Smithfield, NC Smithfield-Selma HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 240 lb (110 kg) Jun 23, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Deion Jones
LB 		Belmont, NC South Point HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 228 lb (103 kg) Dec 14, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Hasaan Klugh
QB 		Concord, NC Central Cabarras HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Julian McKnight
DL 		Conyers, GA Rockdale County HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 275 lb (125 kg) Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Travis McWilliams
WR 		Elizabeth City, NC Northeastern HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Mar 6, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Joshua Patrick
LB 		Decatur, GA Southwest Dekalb HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 230 lb (100 kg) Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Lamar Raynard
QB 		High Point, NC T.W. Andrews HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Tyshawn Siders
DB 		Jacksonville, NC Jacksonville HS 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Austin Venable
LS 		Greensboro, NC Southern Guilford HS 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Amos Williams
DB 		DeFuniak Springs, FL Walton HS 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Malik Wilson
WR 		Burlington, NC Eastern Alamance HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2014 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 3111:45 amvs. Alabama A&M*
ESPNW 47–138,210
September 66:00 pmNo. 5 Coastal Carolina*
LTVL 30–3114,848
September 136:00 pmat Elon*
LTVW 17–127,228
September 206:00 pmChowan*
  • Aggie Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC
LTVW 59–013,184
September 271:00 pmat Howard
W 38–227,086
October 43:30 pmvs. South Carolina State
ESPN3L 0–1324,441
October 97:30 pmHampton
  • Aggie Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC
ESPNUW 31–1412,947
October 182:00 pmat Delaware State
W 33–206,237
October 251:00 pmFlorida A&Mdagger
  • Aggie Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC
LTVW 40–2121,500
November 81:00 pmMorgan State
  • Aggie Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC
LTVW 45–010,139
November 152:00 pmat Savannah State
W 34–01,656
November 222:00 pmat North Carolina Central
L 14–2113,326

[3][4]

Roster

[edit]
2014 North Carolina A&T Aggies Roster (Source)

Wide receivers

  •  1 Denzel Keyes† – sophomore
  •  3 Xavier Griffin – sophomore
  •  5 Desmond Lawrence† – senior
  •  8 Khris Gardin – freshman
  • 10 Quentin Todd – Redshirt senior
  • 12 Darren Bullock – junior
  • 16 Michael Weaver – sophomore
  • 19 Kevin Francis – Redshirt junior
  • 80 Joseph Spann – sophomore
  • 81 Caleb Gabriel – Redshirt freshman
  • 82 Keenan Medley – Redshirt freshman
  • 85 Travis McWilliams – freshman
  • 86 Ashanti Foster-Felder – junior
  • 88 Malik Wilson – freshman
  • 89 Jonathan Hall – Redshirt sophomore

Offensive line

  • 60 Ronald Canty – Redshirt senior
  • 61 Josh Mattocks – ''Redshirt Freshman
  • 63 Nicholas Dease – ''Junior
  • 66 Izayah Moore – ''Freshman
  • 67 Major Kay – Redshirt sophomore
  • 68 Charles Jones – sophomore
  • 70 Brandon Parker – ''Redshirt Freshman
  • 71 William Ray Robinson III – Redshirt senior
  • 72 Darriel Mack – sophomore
  • 74 Olin Leak – Redshirt sophomore
  • 75 Jessie Dove – freshman
  • 76 Shawn Best – freshman
  • 77 Charles "Wes" Cole – sophomore
  • 78 Antray Small – sophomore

Tight ends

  • 49 Oluwafemi Bamiro – Redshirt sophomore
  • 84 Ty'Shaun McCollum – Redshirt sophomore
  • 87 Dequan Swann – Redshirt junior

Fullbacks

  • 29 Corbin Martin – freshman
  • 30 Justin Smith – Redshirt freshman
  • 36 Anthony McMinn II – Redshirt sophomore
  • 42 Lamarc Watlington – freshman
  

Quarterbacks

  •  2 Kwashaun Quick† – junior
  • 14 Lamar Raynard – freshman
  • 17 Hassan Klugh – freshman
  • 18 Frank Foster – junior

Running backs

  • 20 Daniel Robinson – Redshirt freshman
  • 22 Marquell Cartwright – freshman
  • 28 Tarik Cohen† – sophomore
  • 32 Cameron Hill – Redshirt freshman
  • 39 Marlowe Woods – Redshirt junior

Defensive line

  • 40 Daniel Pinnix – senior
  • 50 Angelo Keyes – Redshirt sophomore
  • 51 D'Anthony Ross – sophomore
  • 55 Michael Neal – junior
  • 69 Turner Echols – freshman
  • 90 Malik Hampton-Prioleau – sophomore
  • 91 Kenneth Melton – Redshirt freshman
  • 93 Alva Muldrow – freshman
  • 95 Julian McKnight – freshman
  • 96 Matthew Reed – freshman
  • 97 James Morris – Redshirt junior
  • 98 John Williams – junior
  • 99 Marcus Ragland – Redshirt sophomore
  

Linebackers

  •  4 D'Vonte Grant† – 5th Yr Senior
  • 24 Lorenz Suttles – sophomore
  • 45 Joshua Patrick – freshman
  • 47 Courtney Edmonds – freshman
  • 53 Gerald Caskey – Redshirt sophomore
  • 54 Leroy Hill – freshman
  • 56 Denzel Jones – Redshirt junior
  • 57 Markeiss Blue – freshman
  • 58 Deion Jones – freshman
  • 59 Dorian Belcher – Redshirt sophomore
  • 62 Darryl Jackson – Unknown

Defensive backs

  •  7 Donald Mattocks – Redshirt senior
  •  9 Zerius Lockhart – Redshirt freshman
  • 15 Tard McCoy – Redshirt freshman
  • 21 Tony McRae – junior†
  • 23 Amos Williams – freshman
  • 25 Jamaal Darden – freshman
  • 26 Tyree Purcell – freshman
  • 27 Marquis Boyan – junior
  • 34 Timadre Abram – freshman
  • 35 Jerome Beatty – Redshirt freshman
  • 37 Landis Shoffner – junior
  • 48 Jeremy Taylor – Redshirt freshman

Punters

  • 44 Dominic Frescura – sophomore

Kickers

  • 13 Cody Jones† – freshman
  • 33 Jose Garcia-Camacho – senior

Deep Snapper

  • 46 Austin Venable – freshman
† Starter at position     * Injured; did not play in 2014.

Coaching staff

[edit]
2014 North Carolina A&T Aggies coaching staff

Head coach

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – Rickey Bustle
  • Offensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator — Keith Wagner
  • Running backs – Shawn Gibbs
  • Wide receivers – Chip Hester
  • Tight end – Colin Williams

Defensive coaches

  • Defensive coordinator/defensive backs – Sam Washington
  • Inside linebackers – Charles Cheek
  • Outside linebackers – Trei Oliver
  

Administrative staff

  • Athletic Director (A.D.) – Earl M. Hilton III
  • Administrative Support Associate for Football — Jeraldine Bailey

Game summaries

[edit]

Alabama A&M

[edit]
See also: 2014 Alabama A&M Bulldogs football team and MEAC/SWAC Challenge
Alabama A&M vs. North Carolina A&T (MEAC/SWAC Challenge) – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Aggies 14 24 7247
Bulldogs 6 0 0713

at Bright House Networks Stadium, Orlando, Florida

  • Date: August 31, 2014
  • Game time: 11:45 AM EDT
  • Game weather: 88 °F (31 °C), Sunny
  • Game attendance: 8,210
  • Referee: Anthony Johnson
  • TV: ESPN
  • [1]
Game information

With the game's regular venue, Downtown Orlando's Florida Citrus Bowl in the midst of renovations, the 10th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge was played at Bright House Networks Stadium on the campus of UCF.[5] This was the first meeting between the two teams, and A&T's first time playing in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The game also marked the fifth time that A&T head coach Rod Broadway would face Alabama A&M during his coaching career. Broadway has an undefeated record against the Bulldogs, winning all four previous meetings.[6]

Speed became Alabama A&M's undoing in this meeting, as the Aggies sprinted to touchdown runs of 26, 59 and 80 and had a 95-yard kickoff return by junior Tony McRae, all in the first half. Sophomore Tarik Cohen was named the game's MVP after rushing for 161 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Junior quarterback Kwashaun Quick, making his third straight start on opening day, rushed for 94 yards including two touchdowns and threw for 94 yards on 9-for-16 passing.[6] The Bulldogs of Alabama A&M kept NC A&T on the sideline early thanks to a 12-play drive. AAMU's Jaymason Lee's completed pass Tevin McKenzie advanced the ball to the A&T 3-yard line, but it was short of the first down. The Bulldogs settled for a Ceaser Diaz-Ramon 20-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead. Diaz-Ramon's botched onside kick that followed allowed the Aggies to take over at the A&M 37 yard line. After an 11-yard run on a reverse by Desmond Lawrence, Quick was able to make a 26-yard run for a touchdown.[6] The Aggies never trailed again despite Alabama A&M's efforts on its next drive. The Bulldogs again advanced the ball inside the A&T red zone only to settle for another Diaz-Ramon field goal that made it 7-6 with 16 seconds remaining in the first quarter.[6] Once again A&T's speed responded. McRae took the Diaz-Ramon's kickoff for a 95-yard return for a touchdown. The Aggies led at the end of the first quarter 14-6.[6] A&T directed that energy toward the scoreboard while Quick seemed to drain any energy the Bulldogs had left with a 59-yard touchdown run off of a fake to Cohen that left Bulldog defenders frozen. Cohen said that fake aided in his 80-yard touchdown run that gave the Aggies a commanding 28-6 lead. The Aggies’ 34-point win was their most lopsided win over a SWAC opponent in school history, surpassing the Aggies 28-12 win over Grambling in 1991. Fifth-year linebacker D’Vonte Grant and redshirt junior Denzel Jones led the Aggies defensively with 10 tackles apiece.[6]

Coastal Carolina

[edit]
See also: 2014 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team
#5 Coastal Carolina vs. North Carolina A&T – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Chanticleers 0 17 7731
Aggies 7 7 31330

at Aggie Stadium, Greensboro, North Carolina

  • Date: September 6, 2014
  • Game time: 6:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: 91 °F (33 °C), clear
  • Game attendance: 14,848
  • Referee: Tra Blake
  • [2]
Game information

This was the fifth meeting between the Aggies and 5th-ranked Chanticleers, with Coastal Carolina now holding 5–0 record over A&T. Coastal Carolina won the last meeting in 2012, 29–13.[7] The Aggies were the first to score as a 36-yard punt return by freshman Khris Gardin set up a 2-yard touchdown run by quarterback Kwashaun Quick to give the Aggies a 7-0 first-quarter lead. A&T forced three first-quarter turnovers but were not able to turn any of them into points.[8] In the second quarter, Coastal Carolina responded by scoring 17 quick unanswered points on three drives that took only a combined 4:48 off the clock. The Aggies answered as Tarik Cohen broke through the line of scrimmage and made a slide move into the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown run. His run was set up by a 40-yard completion from wide receiver Denzel Keyes to tight end Dequan Swann after Keyes caught a lateral from Quick as the Aggies went into halftime down 17–14.[8]

The Aggies took their first lead of the game in the fourth quarter as Kwashaun Quick avoided a host of Chanticleer tacklers on his way to scoring on a 29-yard touchdown run, which put the Aggies up 30-24 with 7:16 remaining in the game. During the scoring play, Quick's helmet came off, and by rule, he was required to sit out the next play. In the following play, replacement holder and punter Dominic Frescura mishandled a low snap and was eventually wrapped up and sent to the ground by Coastal's Taylor Bagley. Coastal's Devin Brown added pain to A&T's special teams when he returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards resulting in a touchdown. Alex Catron added the crucial extra point on to the end of Brown's run to give the Chanticleers a 31-30 lead.[8] The Aggies still had a chance to win, when quarterback Kwashaun Quick threw a 19-yard pass to Xavier Griffin, which gave the Aggies a first-and-10 on the Coastal 38-yard line with five minutes to play. But on a 3rd-and-9 from the Coastal 37, Quick was sacked for a 3-yard loss. The Aggies decided to punt on fourth down with less than four minutes remaining, and the Chanticleers ran out the clock for the win.[8]

Elon

[edit]
See also: 2014 Elon Phoenix football team
North Carolina A&T vs. Elon – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Aggies 10 0 0717
Phoenix 3 6 3012

at Rhodes Stadium, Elon, North Carolina

  • Date: September 13, 2014
  • Game time: 6:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: 91 °F (33 °C), Clear
  • Game attendance: 7,228
  • Referee: Warren Gillis
  • [3]
Game information

This was the 10th meeting between A&T and nearby In-state FCS opponent Elon. The Aggies hold a 6-4 all-time record against the Phoenix, with a 23-10 in front of a Home crowd in 2013.[9]

The Aggie defense maintained, as the Phoenix were unable to score a touchdown the entire game, despite the advancing to the Aggies 3, 5, 11, 4, 6-yard lines on five separate occasions. Elon kicker John Gallagher provided all the scoring for the Phoenix by scoring on 4 of 5 of the Phoenix’ s trips inside the Aggies 10. Running Back Tarik Cohen rushed for a career-high 234 yards and ran for a game-winning 81-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was the second 200-yard rushing performance of Cohen's career, and his fourth straight 100-plus rushing game dating back to last season.[10]

Chowan

[edit]
See also: 2014 Chowan Hawks football team
Chowan vs. North Carolina A&T – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hawks 0 0 000
Aggies 10 42 0759

at Aggie Stadium, Greensboro, North Carolina

  • Date: September 20, 2014
  • Game time: 6:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C), Clear
  • Game attendance: 13,184
  • Referee: Flemon Williams
Game information

This was the first meeting between the Aggies and Hawks

Howard

[edit]
See also: 2014 Howard Bison football team
North Carolina A&T vs. Howard – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Aggies 21 7 7338
Bison 7 9 6022

at Greene Stadium, Washington, D.C.

  • Date: September 27, 2014
  • Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C), Clear
  • Game attendance: 7,086
  • Referee: Tra Blake
  • [4]
Game information

South Carolina State

[edit]
See also: 2014 South Carolina State Bulldogs football team, North Carolina A&T-South Carolina State football rivalry, and Atlanta Football Classic
South Carolina State vs. North Carolina A&T (Atlanta Football Classic) – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bulldogs 0 7 0613
Aggies 0 0 000

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: October 4, 2014
  • Game time: 3:30 PM EDT
  • Game weather: N/A, Inside
  • Game attendance: 24,441
  • Referee: Donnell Leathers
  • TV: ESPN3
  • [5]
Game information

Hampton

[edit]
See also: 2014 Hampton Pirates football team
Hampton vs. North Carolina A&T – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Pirates 0 17 7731
Aggies 7 7 31330

at Aggie Stadium, Greensboro, North Carolina

  • Date: October 9, 2014
  • Game time: 7:30 PM EDT
  • Game weather: 91 °F (33 °C), Clear
  • Game attendance: 14,848
  • Referee: Tra Blake
  • [6]
Game information

Delaware State

[edit]
See also: 2014 Delaware State Hornets football team
North Carolina A&T vs. Delaware State – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hawks 0 17 7731
Aggies 7 7 31330

at Alumni Stadium, Dover, Delaware

  • Date: October 18, 2014
  • Game time: 2:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: 91 °F (33 °C), Clear
  • Game attendance: 14,848
  • Referee: Tra Blake
  • [7]
Game information

Florida A&M

[edit]
See also: 2014 Florida A&M Rattlers football team
Florida A&M vs. North Carolina A&T – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rattlers 7 7 0721
Aggies 7 13 13740

at Aggie Stadium, Greensboro, North Carolina

  • Date: October 25, 2014
  • Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C), Few Clouds
  • Game attendance: 21,500
  • [8]
Game information

The Aggies fell behind early by a touchdown, as Florida A&M went 75 yards on 11 plays capped by a Damien Fleming touchdown pass to Lemond Buice. A&T's used of a 3-yard lob by Quarterback Kwashaun Quick, and a 1-yard plunge by Marquell Cartwright would take the Aggies to a 20-14 lead at the half.[11]

Morgan State

[edit]
See also: 2014 Morgan State Bears football team
Morgan State vs. North Carolina A&T – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 0 000
Aggies 0 0 000

at Aggie Stadium, Greensboro, North Carolina

  • Date: November 8, 2014
  • Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C), Clear
  • [9]
Game information

Savannah State

[edit]
See also: 2014 Savannah State Tigers football team
North Carolina A&T vs. Savannah State – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Aggies 0 10 21334
Tigers 0 0 000

at Ted Wright Stadium, Savannah, Georgia

  • Date: November 15, 2014
  • Game time: 2:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), Clear
  • Game attendance: 1,656
  • Referee: Steve Kinney
  • [10]
Game information

This was the second meeting between the Aggies and the Tigers. The Aggies won the previous meeting 41-14 in front of a home crowd inside Aggie Stadium. For A&T's defense, the victory secured the team's second straight shutout of the season, and the first time since 1954 the Aggies have put together two consecutive shutouts. With the win, the Aggies clinched the MEAC championship for the first time since 2003, and guaranteed at least a share of the conference title.[12]

North Carolina Central

[edit]
See also: 2014 North Carolina Central Eagles football team and North Carolina A&T–North Carolina Central rivalry
#24 North Carolina A&T vs. North Carolina Central – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
#24 Aggies 7 0 7014
Eagles 0 7 14021

at O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium, Durham, North Carolina

  • Date: November 22, 2014
  • Game time: 2:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C), Sunny and Cool
  • Game attendance: 13,326
  • Referee: Donn. Leathers
  • [11]
Game information

This game marked the 86th meeting between the North Carolina Central and the NC A&T Aggies and is part of the multi-sport rivalry between the two. Commonly referred to as the "Aggie–Eagle classic," this particular rivalry is the longest-running for both schools and dates back to the 1920s. A&T came into the 2014 contest nationally ranked for the first time since 2003; and on a three-year winning streak over the North Carolina Central, including a 28–0 victory the previous year.[13] The contest also had conference championship implications for both teams as the Aggies, who clinched the MEAC championship after defeating the Savannah State Tigers the week prior, needed the victory to secure the MEAC Championship outright and the Eagles needed a victory to secure a share of the title. Attendance for this game was 13,326,[14] which is 2,726 more than the official stadium capacity for O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium.[15]

Ranking movements

[edit]
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre12345678910111213Final
Sports NetworkRVRVRVRVRVRV—RVRVRVRVRV24RV
Coaches—RVRVRVRVRV——RVRVRVRVRV
Sheridan Broadcasting Network (SBN)53342
BoxToRow Media Poll and Coaches Poll (BTR)5552111133
Heritage Sports Radio Network (HSRN)644211522111112

Postseason

[edit]

As the 2014 college football season neared the end, many organizations began to announce finalists and winners of various past-season awards. Aggie players and coaches appeared on many of these lists. As a team, the Aggies lead the nation in takeaways this season. Additionally, A&T were second in the nation for interceptions, third in scoring defense, third in team passing efficiency defense, fifth in turnover margin and seventh in red zone defense.[16]

Head coach Rod Broadway was one of 20 finalists who have been nominated for the 2014 Eddie Robinson Award, which is awarded to the top head coach in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision by a panel of sports information directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries. This marked the second time in Broadway's career that he had been nominated for the award.[16]

Several players for the Aggies were also honored. A&T sophomore running back Tarik Cohen was named MEAC co-offensive player of the year. Cohen led the MEAC in rushing and recorded his second straight 1,000 yard season with 1,340 total yards. In addition, Cohen was ranked 15th in the nation in rushing. He also led the conference with 121.8 rushing yards per game, 197 carries, with 15 touchdowns in 11 games. In addition, Cohen led the conference in scoring, with 96 points; touchdowns, with 16, and finished second in all-purpose yardage with 143.4 average yards per game. This season, Cohen also earned the Sports Networks’ Player of the Week honor once and received the MEAC offensive player of the week honor twice.[17] In addition to Cohen, Redshirt Senior Left Guard William Ray Robinson III, Senior Linebacker D'Vonte Grant, and Redshirt Senior Cornerback Donald Mattocks earned BOXTOROW Black College All-American honors. Grant, Mattocks, Cohen, and Junior Defensive Back Tony McRae also earned Beyond Sports Network FCS All-American recognition, while Redshirt Senior Offensive Lineman Ronald Canty earned FCS All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association.[18]

The following A&T players were also named to the All–MEAC First, Second, and Third Teams:[19]

All-MEAC First Team
  • Tarik Cohen, So., RB
  • Ronald Canty, R-Sr., C
  • William Ray Robinson III, R-Sr., OL
  • D'Vonte Grant, Sr., LB
  • Tony McRae, Jr., DB
  • Donald Mattocks, R-Sr., DB
  • Cody Jones, So., PK
All-MEAC Second Team
  • Marquis Ragland, R-So., DL
  • Tony McRae, Jr., RS
All-MEAC Third Team
  • Kwashaun Quick, Jr., QB
  • Desmond Lawrence, Sr., WS
  • Brandon Parker, R-Fr., OL

2015 NFL draft

[edit]

The 2015 NFL draft was held on April 30– May 2, 2015 at the Auditorium Theatre and in Grant Park in Chicago Illinois. The following A&T players were either selected or signed as undrafted free agents following the draft.[20]

Player Position Round Overall Pick NFL Team
Desmond Lawrence WR —- Undrafted FA Detroit Lions

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "MEAC Announces 2014 Preseason All-Conference Football Team, Order Of Finish". HBCU Sports. July 25, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  2. ^ "Ten Aggies Make Preseason Team". North Carolina A&T Sports Information. July 25, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  3. ^ "North Carolina A&T Aggies Schedule 2014". ESPN. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "2014 Football Schedule". North Carolina A&T State University. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  5. ^ "North Carolina A&T Cruises to 47-13 Win". ESPN. August 31, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "A&T Starts Fast, Wins Big". North Carolina A&T Sports Information. August 31, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  7. ^ "Coastal Carolina Game by Game Results". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d "A&T Nearly Upsets No. 5 Coastal Carolina". North Carolina A&T Sports Information. September 6, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  9. ^ Mallian, Matt (September 11, 2014). "Elon Focuses on Basics to Gear Up for N.C. A&T". The Pendulum. Elon University. Archived from the original on October 4, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  10. ^ "Cohen, Aggies Defense Lead A&T Past Elon". North Carolina A&T Sports Information. September 13, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  11. ^ "NC A&T Tops Florida A&M 40-21". ESPN. Associated Press. October 25, 2014. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  12. ^ "Aggies Beat SSU, Go For Outright Title In Durham". North Carolina A&T Sports Information. November 15, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  13. ^ "N.C. A&T Ranked No. 24 In Sports Network FCS Top 25 Poll". WFMY. Greensboro: Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. North Carolina A&T Sports Information. November 17, 2014. Archived from the original on November 23, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  14. ^ Green, Staci (November 22, 2014). "NCCU Football Earns Share of MEAC Championship in 21-14 Victory Against Aggies". North Carolina Central University Sports Information. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  15. ^ "O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium - North Carolina Central University". North Carolina Central University Sports Information. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  16. ^ a b "Broadway Is In Contention For National Honor". ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information. November 20, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  17. ^ "MEAC ANNOUNCES 2014 FOOTBALL ALL-MEAC AWARDS". meacsports.com. MEAC Media Relations. Archived from the original on 2 January 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  18. ^ "Canty, Mattocks Add To Aggies Postseason Honors". ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  19. ^ "Cohen Earns Top Offensive Honor". ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  20. ^ "New look: NFL draft moving to Chicago in '15". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
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