2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies football team

2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies football
Conference Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Ranking
STATS No. 10
FCS Coaches No. 10
2018 record 5–1 (2–0 MEAC)
Head coach Sam Washington (1st season)
Defensive coordinator Courtney Coard (1st season)
Home stadium BB&T Stadium
(Capacity: 21,500)
2018 MEAC football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
Florida A&M  3 –0     4 –2  
No. 10 North Carolina A&T  2 –0     5 –1  
Norfolk State  1 –1     3 –2  
Bethune–Cookman  1 –1     3 –3  
North Carolina Central  1 –1     2 –3  
Howard  1 –1     1 –3  
South Carolina State  1 –1     1 –4  
Morgan State  0 –1     1 –4  
Savannah State  0 –2     1 –4  
Delaware State  0 –2     0 –5  
Rankings from STATS FCS Poll

The 2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies football team represents North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season. This season marks the 95th for the program, which is led by first-year head coach Sam Washington and play their home games at the newly renamed BB&T Stadium. They are a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

Previous season

The Aggies finished the season 12–0, 8–0 in MEAC play, to finish in first place and capturing their ninth MEAC Championship. The Aggies were invited to compete in the 2017 Celebration Bowl, where they defeated Southwestern Athletic Conference champion Grambling State, earning their fifth black college football national championship.

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 specualtion 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.

Award watch lists

Award Player Position Year
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
1North Carolina A&T
2Howard
3North Carolina Central
4Bethune–Cookman
5Florida A&M
6Norfolk State
7South Carolina State
8Savannah State
9Morgan State
10Delaware 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.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 257:00 p.m.vs. No. 6 Jacksonville State*No. 14
ESPNW 20–1713,500
September 2[lower-alpha 1]3:30 p.m.at East Carolina*No. 14
ESPN3W 28–2338,640
September 86:00 p.m.Gardner–Webb*No. 5
LTVW 45–613,111
September 226:00 p.m.Morgan State*No. 4
  • BB&T Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC
LTVL 13–1615,909
September 277:00 p.m.South Carolina StateNo. 12
  • BB&T Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC (rivalry)
ESPNUW 31–1611,530
October 67:00 p.m.at Delaware StateNo. 11
ESPN3W 34–62,951
October 131:00 p.m.Florida A&MNo. 10
  • BB&T Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC
LTV
October 204:00 p.m.at Bethune–Cookman
LTV
November 31:00 p.m.Norfolk Statedagger
  • BB&T Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC
LTV
November 101:00 p.m.at Savannah State
November 172:00 p.m.at North Carolina Central
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time
  1. ↑ 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.[7]

Despite also being a member of the MEAC, the game vs Morgan State will be considered a non conference game and will not effect the MEAC standings.[8]

Roster

2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies Roster (Source)

Wide Receivers

  •  3 Chance Pride – Freshman
  •  4 Isaiah Hicklin – Senior
  • 13 Elijah Bell – Junior
  • 15 Ahmed Bah – Sophomore
  • 19 Zachary Leslie – Sophomore
  • 23 Amos Williams – Senior
  • 80 Isreal Spivey - Freshman
  • 81 Ron Hunt – Junior
  • 84 Quinzel Lockhart - Freshman
  • 85 Terrence Peterson - Senior
  • 86 Jordan McDaniel - Freshman
  • 88 Malik Wilson – Senior
  • 89 Rashad Bovian – Sophomore

Offensive Line

  • 55 Dacquari Wilson – Freshman
  • 60 Lawrence Lagrone –Freshman
  • 61 Tyshawn Miller – Freshman
  • 62 Malik Johnson -Senior
  • 63 Jeremiah Martin - Sophomore
  • 65 De'jour Simpson - Junior
  • 66 Arlander Cherry – Junior
  • 68 Macquel Hardy – Senior
  • 69 Deven Milton – Sophomore
  • 72 Tim Williams – Freshman
  • 73 Marcus Pettiford - Junior
  • 74 Sylvester Smith – Junior
  • 75 Bilal Ali – Sophomore
  • 76 Trajan Douthit – Sophomore
  • 77 Breontae Matthews – Graduate Student
  • 78 Micah Shaw – Senior
  • 79 Dontae Keys – Freshman

Tight Ends

  • 12 TeVaughn Higgins - Freshman
  • 82 jarvis Reid - Junior
  • 87 Leroy Hill – Senior

Fullbacks

  • 46 William Hollingsworth – Senior
  • 49 William Simpson – Junior

  

Quarterbacks

  • 1 Jalen Fowler - Freshman
  • 7 Lamar Raynard – Senior
  • 10 Kylil Carter - Senior
  • 11 Carnaji Andrews - Freshamn
  • 16 Khalil Gilliam - Freshman

Running Backs

  • 22 Marquell Cartwright - Senior
  • 25 Kashon Baker – Junior
  • 26 Darius Graves - Sophomore
  • 30 Jah-Maine Martin - Sophomore
  • 37 Unique Johnson – Freshman

Fullbacks

  • 46 William Hollingsworth - Sophomore
  • 49 William Simpson - Sophomore

Defensive Line

  • 41 Leon "Tre" Smalls - Junior
  • 50 Devin Harrell – Sophomore
  • 52 Michael Branch - Junior
  • 90 Karfa Kaba – Freshman
  • 91 Justin Nwachukwu - Junior
  • 92 Jermaine Williams - Junior
  • 94 Justin Cates - Senior
  • 95 Julian McKnight – Senior
  • 97 Shomari Wallace – Sophomore
  • 99 Artavious Richardson - Freshman

Defensive Ends

  • 40 Darryl Johnson Jr. - Junior
  • 96 Sam Blue - Senior
  • 98 Kadarius Kendrick - Junior

Rovers

  • 2 Jamaal Darden - Senior
  • 8 Joseph Stuckey - Freshman
  • 39 Keifer Oates - Freshman
  

Linebackers

  •  5 Kiaundric Richardson - Senior
  • 27 Justin Phillip - Sophomore
  • 34 Deion Jones - Senior
  • 36 Antoine Wilder - Junior
  • 38 Davis Rogers - Freshman
  • 43 Chris Williams - Freshman
  • 44 Julius Reynolds - Senior
  • 45 KeAndre Jones - Freshman
  • 48 Zareik Rush - Freshman
  • 41 Leon "Tre" Smalls - Sophomore
  • 44 Julius Reynolds - Junior
  • 45 Joshua Patrick – Senior
  • 48 Jeremy Taylor - Senior
  • 52 Kiaundric Richardson - Junior
  • 53 Julian Monell – Freshman
  • 54 Kyin Howard - Freshman
  • 56 Tyler Beck – Sophomore
  • 57 Markeiss Blue – Senior
  • 58 Adrian McPherson - Junior
  • 59 Elijah Westbrook - Junior

Defensive Backs

  • 14 Timadre Abram – Senior
  • 18 Richie Kittles - Junior
  • 20 Najee Reams - Sophomore
  • 21 Derrek Williams - Sophomore
  • 24 Amir McNeil - Freshman
  • 29 Franklin (Mac) McCain III - Sophomore
  • 32 Marquis Willis – Junior
  • 32 Miles Simon - Freshamn
  • 33 Jalon Bethea – Junior
  • 42 Will Jones - Freshamn

Punters

  • 60 James Mackey – Junior
  • 47 Michael Rivers - Freshman

Kickers

  • 35 Noel Ruiz – Sophomore
  • 38 Davis Rogers - Freshman

Long Snappers

  • 51 John Davis - Sophomore
  • 67 Ernest (Petie) Bush III - Junior
† Starter at position     * Injured; did not play in 2018.

Coaching staff

2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies coaching staff

Head Coach

Offensive Coaches

  • Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers –
  • Quarterbacks - Chris Barnette
  • Running Backs - Shawn Gibbs
  • Tight End - Colin Williams

Defensive Coaches

  • Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs – Courtney Coard
  • Inside Linebackers – Thomas Howard
  

Administrative Staff

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

Game summaries

vs Jacksonville State

Overall record Last meeting Result
0–2 1995 L 10–21
Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs North Carolina A&T Aggies – FCS Kickoff
1 2 34Total
No. 6 Gamecocks 0 3 14017
No. 14 Aggies 7 0 13020

at Crampton Bowl • Montgomery, AL

  • Date: August 25
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Game weather: Mostly clear • Temperature: 87 °F (31 °C) • Wind: E 6 mph
  • Game attendance: 13,500
  • Referee: Andy Faust
  • TV: ESPN
  • ESPN Box Score
Game information

at East Carolina

Overall record Last meeting Result
First meeting
North Carolina A&T Aggies at East Carolina Pirates
1 2 34Total
No. 14 Aggies 7 7 01428
Pirates 3 14 3323

at Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium • Greenville, NC

  • Date: September 2
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET
  • Game attendance: 38,640
  • TV: ESPN3
Game information

Gardner–Webb

Overall record Last meeting Result
1–0 2017 W 45–3
Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs at North Carolina A&T Aggies
1 2 34Total
Runnin' Bulldogs 3 3 006
No. 5 Aggies 7 10 141445

at BB&T Stadium • Greensboro, NC

  • Date: September 8
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. ET
  • Game attendance: 13,111
  • TV: ESPN3
Game information

Morgan State

Overall record Last meeting Result
38–43–3 2017 W 49–17
Morgan State Bears at North Carolina A&T Aggies
1 2 34Total
Bears 0 7 3616
No. 4 Aggies 0 6 7013

at BB&T Stadium • Greensboro, NC

  • Date: September 22
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. ET
  • Game attendance: 15,909
  • TV: LTV
Game information

South Carolina State

Overall record Last meeting Result
21–31–2 2017 W 21–7
South Carolina State Bulldogs at North Carolina A&T Aggies
1 2 34Total
Bulldogs 7 9 0016
No. 12 Aggies 3 7 71431

at BB&T Stadium • Greensboro, NC

  • Date: September 29
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Game attendance: 11,530
  • TV: ESPNU
Game information

at Delaware State

Overall record Last meeting Result
23–22–1 2017 W 44–3
North Carolina A&T Aggies at Delaware State Hornets
1 2 34Total
No. 11 Aggies 7 13 14034
Hornets 3 3 006

at Alumni Stadium • Dover, DE

  • Date: October 6
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Game attendance: 2,951
  • TV: ESPN3
Game information

Florida A&M

Overall record Last meeting Result
19–44–3 2017 W 31–20
Florida A&M Rattlers at North Carolina A&T Aggies
1 2 34Total
Bulldogs - - --0
No. 10 Aggies - - --0

at BB&T Stadium • Greensboro, NC

  • Date: October 13
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
  • TV: LTV
Game information

at Bethune–Cookman

Overall record Last meeting Result
16–22 2017 W 24–20
North Carolina A&T Aggies at Bethune–Cookman Wildcats
1 2 34Total
Aggies - - --0
Wildcats - - --0

at Daytona Stadium • Daytona Beach, FL

  • Date: October 20
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. ET
  • TV: LTV
Game information

Norfolk State

Overall record Last meeting Result
30–11 2017 W 35–7
Norfolk State Spartans at North Carolina A&T Aggies
1 2 34Total
Spartans - - --0
Aggies - - --0

at BB&T Stadium • Greensboro, NC

  • Date: November 3
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
  • TV: LTV
Game information

at Savannah State

Overall record Last meeting Result
3–0 2017 W 36–17
North Carolina A&T Aggies at Savannah State Tigers
1 2 34Total
Aggies - - --0
Tigers - - --0

at Ted Wright Stadium • Savannah, GA

  • Date: November 10
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Game information

at North Carolina Central

Overall record Last meeting Result
49–33–5 2017 W 24–10
North Carolina A&T Aggies at North Carolina Central Eagles
1 2 34Total
Aggies - - --0
Eagles - - --0

at O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium • Durham, NC

  • Date: November 17
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Game information

Ranking movements

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. ( ) = First place votes.
Week
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  
Coaches 14 6 6 4 13 11 10

References

  1. 1 2 3 "A&T Football Announces 2018 Signing Day Class". WFMY. NC A&T Athletics. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  2. ↑ "Washington Talks Spring As Spring Game Approaches". NCATAggies.com. NC A&T Athletics. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  3. ↑ Joe L. Hughes II, Alan Blondin. "Christmas arrives a few days early for former Conway, CCU running back Martin". myrtlebeachonline. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  4. ↑ "FCS football: 2018 Walter Payton Award watch list". August 1, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  5. ↑ "North Carolina A&T State Picked To Win 2018 MEAC Championship". Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. July 27, 2018.
  6. ↑ http://www.meacsports.com/news/2018/7/25/ncats-raynard-nccus-reynolds-headline-2018-all-meac-preseason-football-team.aspx?path=football#1
  7. ↑ "ECU-N.C. A&T Game Postponed Until Sunday, Sept. 2 At 3:30 P.M." ECU Pirates Official Athletics Website. September 1, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Undefeated HBCU Champs A&T Releases 2018 Schedule". NC A&T Sports Information. April 3, 2018.
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