2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies football team
2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies football | |
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Celebration Bowl, W 24–22 vs. Alcorn State | |
Conference | Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference |
Ranking | |
STATS | No. 12 |
FCS Coaches | No. 11 |
Record | 10–2 (6–1 MEAC) |
Head coach |
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Defensive coordinator | Courtney Coard (1st season) |
Home stadium | BB&T Stadium |
Seasons |
| Conf | Overall | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 12 North Carolina A&T $ | 6 | – | 1 | 9 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bethune–Cookman | 5 | – | 2 | 7 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida A&M | 5 | – | 2 | 6 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Carolina State | 4 | – | 3 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Howard | 4 | – | 3 | 4 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North Carolina Central | 3 | – | 4 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Morgan State | 3 | – | 4 | 4 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Norfolk State | 2 | – | 5 | 4 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Delaware State | 2 | – | 5 | 3 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Savannah State | 1 | – | 6 | 2 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies football team represented North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University as member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in the 2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season. This season marked the 95th for the program, which was led by first-year head coach Sam Washington. The Aggies finished the season with a record of 9–2 and 6–1 in MEAC play, capturing their tenth conference title. The Aggies also earned an invitation to the Celebration Bowl where they defeated Southwestern Athletic Conference champion Alcorn State, earning their sixth black college football national championship. The Aggies played their home games at the newly renamed BB&T Stadium. They are a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
Before the season
At the conclusion of the 2017 football season, the Aggies lost key players such as three-time MEAC Offensive Lineman of the year and two-time All-American Brandon Parker, two-time first-team All-MEAC center Darriel Mack & Khris Gardin, who finished his career second all-time in NCAA history in punt return yards.[1] The Aggies also lost third-team all-MEAC outside linebacker Marcus Albert, Jeremy Taylor & two-time first-team All-MEAC safety/linebacker Jeremy Taylor, who was the team's leading tackler in 2017.[1] In addition to the players, the program lost head coach Rod Broadway, who is the program's all-time leader in winning percentage. Broadway decided to retire in January after weeks of speculation following the team's undefeated season and national championship.[2]
Recruiting
Prior to National Signing Day in February 2018, three players enrolled for the spring semester in order to participate in spring practice. On National Signing Day, A&T signed 15 additional players out of high school that completed the 2018 recruiting class.[1] Of the class, 9 players were from North Carolina, including three players from Greensboro.
US college sports recruiting information for 2018 recruits | ||||||
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Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
Michael Branch DL | Greensboro, NC | Presbyterian | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 300 lb (140 kg) | Feb 2, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Khalil Gilliam QB | Charlotte, NC | East Mecklenburg HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 192 lb (87 kg) | ??? | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Tevaughn Higgins ATH | Hopkins, SC | Lower Richland HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | ??? | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
KeAndre Jones LB | Columbia, SC | Spring Valley HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 240 lb (110 kg) | Jan 31, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Lawrence Lagrone G | Douglasville, GA | Douglas County HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 320 lb (150 kg) | ||
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Jah-Maine Martin RB | Conway, SC | Coastal Carolina | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Dec 21, 2017[3] | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Justin Nwachukwu DT | Wake Forest, NC | Northern Illinois | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 296 lb (134 kg) | Jan 31, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Michael Rivers P/K | Wilmington, NC | North Brunswick HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | Feb 7, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Zareik Rush OLB | Greensboro, NC | Dudley HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | ||
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:![]() | ||||||
Miles Simon DB | Lenoir, NC | Hibriten HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Feb 2, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Isreal Spivey WR | Ellenwood, GA | Cedar Grove HS | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | Feb 2, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Joseph Stuckey OLB | Hillside, NJ | Hillside HS (Milford Academy) | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Feb 2, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Wiz Vaughn FS | Wilmington, NC | New Hanover HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Jan 30, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Tim Williams T | Laurinburg, NC | Scotland HS | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 295 lb (134 kg) | Feb 6, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: | ||||||
Sources:
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Award watch lists
Award | Player | Position | Year |
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Walter Payton Award[4] | Lamar Raynard | QB | SR |
MEAC preseason poll
In a vote of the MEAC head coaches and sports information directors, the Aggies were unanimously picked as the favorites to win the MEAC championship receiving 19 of 20 first place votes (coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team).[5]
Predicted finish | Team |
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1 | North Carolina A&T |
2 | Howard |
3 | North Carolina Central |
4 | Bethune–Cookman |
5 | Florida A&M |
6 | Norfolk State |
7 | South Carolina State |
8 | Savannah State |
9 | Morgan State |
10 | Delaware State |
Preseason All-MEAC Teams
The Aggies had nine players selected to the preseason all-MEAC teams.[6] Quarterback Lamar Raynard was selected as the preseason offensive player of the year.
Offense 1st team Lamar Raynard – QB Marquell Cartwright – RB Elijah Bell – WR Leroy Hill – TE Marcus Pettiford – OL | Defense 1st team Darryl Johnson, Jr. – DL Timadre Abram – DB Mac McCain – DB 2nd team Julian McKnight – DL |
Schedule
North Carolina A&T's game against fellow Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) member Morgan State was considered a non-conference game and did figured in the conference standings.[7]
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
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August 25 | 7:00 p.m. | vs. No. 6 Jacksonville State* | No. 14 | ESPN | W 20–17 | 13,500 | |
September 2[a] | 3:30 p.m. | at East Carolina* | No. 14 | ESPN3 | W 28–23 | 38,640 | |
September 8 | 6:00 p.m. | Gardner–Webb* | No. 5 |
| ESPN3/LTV[9] | W 45–6 | 13,111 |
September 22 | 6:00 p.m. | Morgan State* | No. 4 |
| LTV[9] | L 13–16 | 15,909 |
September 27 | 7:00 p.m. | South Carolina State | No. 12 |
| ESPNU | W 31–16 | 11,530 |
October 6 | 7:00 p.m. | at Delaware State | No. 11 |
| ESPN3 | W 34–6 | 2,951 |
October 13 | 1:00 p.m. | Florida A&M | No. 10 |
| LTV[9] | L 21–22 | 15,418 |
October 20 | 4:00 p.m. | at Bethune–Cookman | No. 19 | LTV[9] | W 35–10 | 6,225 | |
November 3 | 1:00 p.m. | Norfolk State![]() | No. 17 |
| LTV[9] | W 37–20 | 21,500 |
November 10 | 1:00 p.m. | at Savannah State | No. 14 | ESPN3 | W 28–12 | 4,788 | |
November 17 | 2:00 p.m. | at North Carolina Central | No. 12 | ESPN3 | W 45–0 | 11,055 | |
December 15 | 12:00 p.m. | vs. Alcorn State* | No. 11 | ABC | W 24–22 | 31,672 | |
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- ^ The game against East Carolina was originally scheduled for September 1 at 6:00 p.m. before being postponed to September 2 at 3:30 p.m. due to inclement weather.[8]
[10][11]
Roster
2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies Roster (Source) | |||||||
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Wide receivers
Offensive line
Tight ends
Fullbacks
| Quarterbacks
Running backs
Fullbacks
Defensive line
Defensive ends
Rovers
| Linebackers
Defensive backs
Punters
Kickers
Long snappers
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† Starter at position * Injured; did not play in 2018. |
Coaching staff
2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies coaching staff | |||||||
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Head coach
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
| Administrative staff
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Game summaries
Vs. Jacksonville State
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 6 Gamecocks | 0 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 17 |
No. 14 Aggies | 7 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 20 |
at Crampton Bowl • Montgomery, AL
- Date: August 25
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Game weather: Temperature: 87 °F (31 °C) • Wind: E 6 mph • Weather: Mostly clear
- Game attendance: 13,500
- Referee: Andy Faust
- TV: ESPN
- ESPN Box Score
Game information | ||
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At East Carolina
The Aggies upset East Carolina, 28–23, and in the post-game celebration, head coach Sam Washington declared in response to the team being a so-called "buy game" for the Pirates: "Tell them to bring me my money." The statement and ensuing celebration has since become an internet meme.
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 14 Aggies | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
Pirates | 3 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 23 |
at Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium • Greenville, NC
- Date: September 2
- Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Game weather: Temperature: 90 °F (32 °C) • Wind: 5–8 mph • Weather: Mostly cloudy
- Game attendance: 38,640
- Referee: Henry Wimberg
- TV: ESPN3
- ESPN Box Score
Game information | ||
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Gardner–Webb
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Runnin' Bulldogs | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
No. 5 Aggies | 7 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 45 |
at BB&T Stadium • Greensboro, NC
- Date: September 8
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. ET
- Game attendance: 13,111
- Referee: n/a
- TV: ESPN3/LTV
- ESPN Box Score
Game information | ||
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Morgan State
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bears | 0 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 16 |
No. 4 Aggies | 0 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
at BB&T Stadium • Greensboro, NC
- Date: September 22
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. ET
- Game weather: Temperature: 80 °F (27 °C) • Wind: NE • Weather: Cloudy
- Game attendance: 15,909
- Referee: Jason Soistman
- TV: LTV
- ESPN Box Score
Game information | ||
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South Carolina State
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bulldogs | 7 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
No. 12 Aggies | 3 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 31 |
at BB&T Stadium • Greensboro, NC
- Date: September 29
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Game weather: Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C) • Wind: S • Weather: Rain
- Game attendance: 11,530
- Referee: Rick Warne
- TV: ESPNU
- ESPN Box Score
Game information | ||
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At Delaware State
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 11 Aggies | 7 | 13 | 14 | 0 | 34 |
Hornets | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
at Alumni Stadium • Dover, DE
- Date: October 6
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Game weather: Temperature: 76 °F (24 °C) • Wind: Slight • Weather: Partly cloudy
- Game attendance: 2,951
- Referee: Robert Frazier
- TV: ESPN3
- ESPN Box Score
Game information | ||
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Florida A&M
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rattlers | 0 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 22 |
No. 10 Aggies | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
at BB&T Stadium • Greensboro, NC
- Date: October 13
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Game weather: Temperature: 64 °F (18 °C) • Wind: NW • Weather: Sunny
- Game attendance: 15,418
- Referee: Roy Bernard
- TV: LTV
- ESPN Box Score
Game information | ||
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At Bethune–Cookman
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 19 Aggies | 13 | 13 | 2 | 7 | 35 |
Wildcats | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
at Daytona Stadium • Daytona Beach, FL
- Date: October 20
- Game time: 4:00 p.m. ET
- Game weather: Temperature: 86 °F (30 °C) • Wind: E 5 • Weather: Partly cloudy; 66% humidity
- Game attendance: 6,225
- Referee: Jason Soistman
- TV: LTV
- ESPN Box Score
Game information | ||
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Norfolk State
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spartans | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
No. 17 Aggies | 7 | 14 | 6 | 10 | 37 |
at BB&T Stadium • Greensboro, NC
- Date: November 3
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- TV: LTV
Game information | ||
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At Savannah State
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 14 Aggies | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
Tigers | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
at Ted Wright Stadium • Savannah, GA
- Date: November 10
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Game information | ||
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At North Carolina Central
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 12 Aggies | 14 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 45 |
Eagles | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium • Durham, NC
- Date: November 17
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Game information | ||
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Alcorn State – Celebration Bowl
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Braves | 3 | 3 | 10 | 6 | 22 |
No. 11 Aggies | 7 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
Game information | ||
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Post season
2019 NFL draft
The 2019 NFL draft will be held on April 25–27 in Nashville, Tennessee.[12] The following A&T players were either selected or signed as undrafted free agents following the draft.
Player | Position | Round | Overall pick | NFL team |
---|---|---|---|---|
Darryl Johnson Jr. | DE | 7 | 225 | Buffalo Bills |
2019 CFL draft
The 2019 CFL Draft took place on May 2, 2019. The following A&T players were either selected or signed as undrafted free agents following the draft.
Player | Position | Round | Overall pick | CFL Team |
---|---|---|---|---|
Malik Wlson | WR/KR | —- | Undrafted free agent | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
Ranking movements
Week | ||||||||||||||
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Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Final |
STATS FCS | 14 | 5 | 4 (3) | 4 (3) | 12 | 11 | 10 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 |
Coaches | 14 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 18–T | 18 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 |
References
- ^ a b c NC A&T Athletics. "A&T Football Announces 2018 Signing Day Class". WFMY. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
- ^ "Washington Talks Spring As Spring Game Approaches". www.ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
- ^ Hughes II, Joe L.; Blondin, Alan. "Christmas arrives a few days early for former Conway, CCU running back Martin". myrtlebeachonline. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
- ^ "FCS football: 2018 Walter Payton Award watch list". August 1, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
- ^ "North Carolina A&T State Picked To Win 2018 MEAC Championship". Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. July 27, 2018.
- ^ "NCAT's Raynard, NCCU's Reynolds Headline 2018 All-MEAC Preseason Football Team". Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. July 25, 2018.
- ^ "Undefeated HBCU Champs A&T Releases 2018 Schedule". www.ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information. April 3, 2018.
- ^ "ECU-N.C. A&T Game Postponed Until Sunday, Sept. 2 At 3:30 P.M." www.ecupirates.com. ECU Pirates Official Athletics Website. September 1, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e "Lock TV Audio & Video". www.ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information.
- ^ "North Carolina A&T Aggies Schedule 2018". ESPN. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
- ^ "2018 Football Schedule". North Carolina A&T State University. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
- ^ Knoblauch, Austin. "Nashville, Tennessee Titans to host 2019 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.