2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies football team

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).

2018 North Carolina A&T Aggies football
Black college football national champion
MEAC champion
Celebration Bowl champion
ConferenceMid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Ranking
STATSNo. 12
FCS CoachesNo. 11
2018 record10–2 (6–1 MEAC)
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorCourtney Coard (1st season)
Home stadiumBB&T Stadium
(Capacity: 21,500)
2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
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  
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from STATS Poll

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 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.

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. 14ESPNW 20–1713,500
September 2[lower-alpha 1]3:30 p.m.at East Carolina*No. 14ESPN3W 28–2338,640
September 86:00 p.m.Gardner–Webb*No. 5ESPN3/LTV[8]W 45–613,111
September 226:00 p.m.Morgan State*No. 4
  • BB&T Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC
LTV[8]L 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. 11ESPN3W 34–62,951
October 131:00 p.m.Florida A&MNo. 10
  • BB&T Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC
LTV[8]L 21–2215,418
October 204:00 p.m.at Bethune–CookmanNo. 19LTV[8]W 35–106,225
November 31:00 p.m.Norfolk StateNo. 17
  • BB&T Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC
LTV[8]W 37–2021,500
November 101:00 p.m.at Savannah StateNo. 14ESPN3W 28–124,788
November 172:00 p.m.at North Carolina CentralNo. 12ESPN3W 45–011,055
December 1512:00 p.m.vs. Alcorn State*No. 11ABCW 24–2231,672
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • 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.[9]

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

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 BowlMontgomery, 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

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.

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 StadiumGreenville, 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

Gardner–Webb

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 StadiumGreensboro, 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

Morgan State

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 StadiumGreensboro, 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

South Carolina State

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 StadiumGreensboro, 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

at Delaware State

North Carolina A&T Aggies at Delaware State Hornets
1 2 34Total
No. 11 Aggies 7 13 14034
Hornets 3 3 006

at Alumni StadiumDover, 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

Florida A&M

Florida A&M Rattlers at North Carolina A&T Aggies
1 2 34Total
Rattlers 0 6 7922
No. 10 Aggies 14 7 0021

at BB&T StadiumGreensboro, 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

at Bethune–Cookman

North Carolina A&T Aggies at Bethune–Cookman Wildcats
1 2 34Total
No. 19 Aggies 13 13 2735
Wildcats 3 0 7010

at Daytona StadiumDaytona 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

Norfolk State

Norfolk State Spartans at North Carolina A&T Aggies
1 2 34Total
Spartans 10 7 3020
No. 17 Aggies 7 14 61037

at BB&T StadiumGreensboro, NC

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

at Savannah State

North Carolina A&T Aggies at Savannah State Tigers
1 2 34Total
No. 14 Aggies 7 14 0728
Tigers 0 0 6612

at Ted Wright StadiumSavannah, GA

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

at North Carolina Central

North Carolina A&T Aggies at North Carolina Central Eagles
1 2 34Total
No. 12 Aggies 14 10 14745
Eagles 0 0 000

at O'Kelly–Riddick StadiumDurham, NC

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

Alcorn State - Celebration Bowl

2018 Celebration Bowl – Game Summary
1 2 34Total
Braves 3 3 10622
No. 11 Aggies 7 10 7024

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta,GA

  • Date: Decemberber 15, 2018
  • Game time: 12:00pm EDT
  • Game weather: Played Indoors, Domed Stadium
  • Referee: Justin Elliot
  • TV: ABC

Post season

2019 NFL Draft

The 2019 NFL Draft will be held on April 25–27 in Nashville, Tennessee.[10] 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

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = 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 19 18 17 14 12 11 12 
Coaches 14 6 6 4 13 11 10 18–T 18 17 13 13 11 11

References

  1. NC A&T Athletics. "A&T Football Announces 2018 Signing Day Class". WFMY. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  2. "Washington Talks Spring As Spring Game Approaches". www.ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  3. Hughes II, Joe L.; Blondin, Alan. "Christmas arrives a few days early for former Conway, CCU running back Martin". myrtlebeachonline. Retrieved December 22, 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. "NCAT's Raynard, NCCU's Reynolds Headline 2018 All-MEAC Preseason Football Team". Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. July 25, 2018.
  7. "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.
  8. "Lock TV Audio & Video". www.ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information.
  9. "Undefeated HBCU Champs A&T Releases 2018 Schedule". www.ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information. April 3, 2018.
  10. Knoblauch, Austin. "Nashville, Tennessee Titans to host 2019 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
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