Wikipedia

2015 North Carolina A&T Aggies football team

The 2015 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 2015 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Rod Broadway, the Aggies compiled an overall record of 10–2 with a mark of 7–1 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie for the MEAC title with Bethune–Cookman and North Carolina Central. North Carolina A&T was invited to inaugural Celebration Bowl, where the Aggies defeated Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), champion Alcorn State, earning the program's fourth black college football national championship. North Carolina A&T played home games at Aggie Stadium in Greensboro, North Carolina.

2015 North Carolina A&T Aggies football
Black college national champion
MEAC co-champion
Celebration Bowl champion
ConferenceMid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Ranking
STATSNo. 21
FCS CoachesNo. 21
Record10–2 (7–1 MEAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorChip Hester (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorSam Washington (5th season)
Home stadiumAggie Stadium
Seasons
← 2014
2016 →
2015 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 21 North Carolina A&T +   7 – 1     10 – 2  
Bethune–Cookman +   7 – 1     9 – 2  
North Carolina Central +   7 – 1     8 – 3  
South Carolina State   6 – 2     7 – 4  
Hampton   5 – 3     6 – 5  
Morgan State   4 – 4     4 – 6  
Norfolk State   4 – 4     4 – 7  
Savannah State *   1 – 7     1 – 9  
Delaware State   1 – 7     1 – 10  
Florida A&M *   1 – 7     1 – 10  
Howard   1 – 7     1 – 10  
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • Florida A&M and Savannah State ineligible for postseason due to APR violations
Rankings from STATS Poll

Before the season

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At the conclusion of the 2014 football season, the Aggies lost key players such as All-American center Ronald Canty, All-American and three-time All-MEAC standout guard/tackle William Ray Robinson III and 2014 starting right guard Olin Leak and defensive back Donald Mattocks. In addition, one of the best tacklers in school history, All-MEAC linebacker D’Vonte Grant, played his final season with the Aggies.[1] NC A&T was picked to win the MEAC championship and junior running back Tarik Cohen was selected as the preseason offensive player of the year.[2]

Recruiting

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US college sports recruiting information for 2015 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Shawn Barnes
WR 		Fayetteville, NC E.E. Smith HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Jalon Bethea
DB 		Durham, NC Hillside HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Landon Brewer
DB 		Lumberton, NC Lumberton HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Kylil Carter
QB 		Austell, GA South Cobb HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 213 lb (97 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Korey Curry
DE 		Jacksonville, NC Northside HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Mar 26, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Korey Curry
RB 		Jacksonville, NC Northside HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Mar 26, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Craig Gailliard Jr.
DB 		Dearborn, MI Edsel Ford HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
William Hollingsworth
RB 		Plymouth, NC Plymouth HS 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 240 lb (110 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Malik Johnson
OL 		Arden, NC Christ School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 340 lb (150 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Donovahn Jones
WR 		Stockbridge, GA University of Minnesota 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Kadarius Kendrick
DL 		Forest Park, GA Forest Park HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 250 lb (110 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Adrian McPherson
LB 		Fayetteville, NC E.E. Smith HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Cameron Moore
WR 		Bayboro, NC Pamlico County HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Marcus Pettiford
OL 		Durham, NC Hillside HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 260 lb (120 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Julius Reynolds
LB 		Wilmington, NC Hoggard HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Steve Sawicki
P 		Hope Mills, NC Grays Creek HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 340 lb (150 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Micah Shaw
DE 		Fayetteville, NC Seventy-First HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 250 lb (110 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Keevin Thompson
RB 		Wilmington, NC Hoggard HS 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Apr 15, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Calvin Trotty
DL 		Spring Lake, NC Overhills HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 270 lb (120 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Jermaine Williams
DL 		Lumberton, NC Lumberton HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 265 lb (120 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
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

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DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 56:00 pmShaw*
LTVW 61–713,828
September 126:00 pmat North Carolina*
ESPN3L 14–5344,000
September 196:00 pmat Elon*
W 14–79,729
October 312:00 pmat Hampton
W 45–312,139
October 102:00 pmat Norfolk State
W 27–36,194
October 171:00 pmBethune–Cookman
  • Aggie Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC
LTVW 24–1412,471[3]
October 241:00 pmHoward No. 24
  • Aggie Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC
LTVW 65–1421,500
October 313:00 pmat Florida A&MNo. 20
W 28–1010,279
November 71:00 pmat South Carolina StateNo. 19
W 9–615,283
November 141:00 pmDelaware StateNo. 19
  • Aggie Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC
ESPN3W 27–68,732
November 211:00 pmNorth Carolina CentralNo. 16
  • Aggie Stadium
  • Greensboro, NC (rivalry)
LTVL 16–2118,409
December 1912:00 pmvs. Alcorn State*No. 22
ABCW 41–3435,528
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

[4][5]

Roster

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2015 North Carolina A&T Aggies Roster (Source)

Wide receivers

  •  1 Denzel Keyes – Junior
  •  3 Xavier Griffin – Junior
  •  8 Khris Gardin – Sophomore
  • 10 Quentin Todd –   Senior
  • 16 Michael Weaver Jr. – Junior
  • 19 Kevin Francis –   Senior
  • 81 Caleb Gabriel –   Freshman
  • 82 Keenan Medley –   Sophomore
  • 85 Javius Nixon – Freshman
  • 86 Deshaun McFadden – Freshman
  • 88 Malik Wilson –   Freshman

Offensive line

  • 61 Josh Mattocks –   Spohomore
  • 62 Malik Johnson – Freshman
  • 63 Nicholas Dease – Senior
  • 66 Arlander Cherry – Freshman
  • 69 Calvin Trotty – Freshman
  • 70 Brandon Parker –   Sophomore
  • 71 Chris Davis – Freshman
  • 72 Darriel Mack –   Sophomore
  • 73 Marcus Pettiford – Freshman
  • 74 Sylvester Smith – Freshman
  • 75 Charles Jones – Junior
  • 76 Shawn Best –   Freshman
  • 77 Charles "Wes" Cole – Junior
  • 78 Micah Shaw – Freshman

Tight ends

  • 22 Justin Smith –   Sophomore
  • 87 Dequan Swann –   Senior

Fullbacks

  • 36 Anthony McMinn II –   Junior
  • 39 Corbin Martin – Junior
  • 46 William Hollingsworth – Freshman
  

Quarterbacks

  • 2 Kwashaun Quick† – Senior
  • 7 Lamar Raynard† –   Freshman
  • 17 Isaiah Hicklin – Freshman
  • 18 Frank Foster – Senior

Running backs

  • 20 Daniel Robinson –   Sophomore
  • 23 Amos Williams –   Freshman
  • 28 Tarik Cohen† – Junior
  • 35 Keevin Thompson – Freshman
  • 38 Cameron Hill –   Freshman

Defensive line

  • 51 D'Anthony Ross – Junior
  • 55 Michael Neal – Senior
  • 94 Justin Cates – Freshman
  • 95 Julian McKnight –   Freshman
  • 97 James Morris –   Senior
  • 99 Marcus Ragland –   Junior

Defensive ends

  • 50 Angelo Keyes –   Junior
  • 79 Darryl Johnson – Freshman
  • 83 Korey Curry – Freshman
  • 90 Malik Hampton-Prioleau – Junior
  • 91 Kenneth Melton –   Sophomore
  • 92 Miles Hillard –   Junior
  • 93 Turner Echols –   Freshman
  • 96 Sam Blue –   Sophomore
  • 98 Kadarius Kendrick – Freshman

Safety

  • 41 Aaron Leach –   Senior

Rovers

  • 24 Lorenz Suttles – Junior
  • 37 Landis Shoffner – Senior
  

Linebackers

  •  4 Marcus Albert –   Sophomore
  • 26 Vander Purcell – Sophomore
  • 29 Craig Gailliard Jr. – Freshman
  • 34 Deion Jones –   Freshman
  • 44 Julius Reynolds –   Freshman
  • 45 Joshua Patrick – Sophomore
  • 47 Courtney Edmonds – Sophomore
  • 52 Kiaundric Richardson – Sophomore
  • 53 Gerald Caskey –   Sophomore
  • 54 Leroy Hill –   Freshman
  • 56 Denzel Jones –   Senior
  • 57 Markeiss Blue – Sophomore
  • 58 Adrian McPherson – Freshman
  • 59 Celeb Smith – Freshman
  • 65 Seth Schoonover – Freshman
  • 68 Darryl Jackson –   Freshman

Defensive backs

  •  5 Tard McCoy –   Sophomore
  •  9 Zerius Lockhart –   Sophomore
  • 12 Jerome Beatty –   Sophomore
  • 14 Timadre Abram –   Freshman
  • 21 Tony McRae – Senior†
  • 25 Jamaal Darden – Sophomore
  • 27 Marquis Boyan – Senior
  • 32 Marquis Willis –   Freshman
  • 33 Jalen Bethea – Freshman
  • 40 Jovan Williams –   Sophomore
  • 48 Jeremy Taylor – Sophomore

Punters

  • 49 Steven Sawicki – Freshman
  • 60 Isaac Parks – Freshman

Kickers

  • 13 Cody Jones† – Junior

Long snappers

  • 67 Ernest (Petie) Bush III – Freshman
  • 89 Jonathan Hall –   Junior
† Starter at position     * Injured; did not play in 2015.

Coaching staff

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2015 North Carolina A&T Aggies coaching staff

Head coach

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive coordinator/wide receivers – Chip Hester
  • Offensive line/recruiting coordinator – Keith Wagner[notes 1]
  • Quarterbacks – Chris Barnette
  • Running backs – Shawn Gibbs
  • Tight end – Colin Williams

Defensive coaches

  • Defensive coordinator/defensive backs – Sam Washington
  • Inside linebackers – Thomas Howard
  • Outside linebackers – Trei Oliver
  

Administrative staff

  • Athletic Director (A.D.) – Earl M. Hilton III
  • Administrative support associate for football – Jeraldine Bailey

Game summaries

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Shaw

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See also: Shaw Bears
Week One: Shaw vs. North Carolina A&T – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 7 007
Aggies 7 23 171461

at Aggie Stadium, Greensboro, North Carolina

  • Date: September 5, 2015
  • Game time: 6:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C), Cloudy
  • Game attendance: 13,828
  • Referee: Rick Warren
  • [1]
Game information

This game marked the 21st meeting overall between the Shaw University Bears and the Aggies, and the first between the two in 52 Years. Going into the match up, the Aggies held the all-time series at 3–17–1. The last meeting between the two in 1968, saw The Aggies defeat the Bears 0–69.[6]

The Aggies called upon redshirt freshman quarterback Lamar Raynard to be the starting quarterback. Raynard passed for 188 yards with three touchdowns and 1 interception.[7] Junior Wide Receiver Denzel Keyes went on to make a career-high six catches to finish with 119 yards receiving and two touchdowns.[8] Preseason All-American & MEAC Offensive player of the year, running back Tarik Cohen, ran for 106 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. This game marked Cohen's 13th career 100-yard game.[8] Cohen is now 928 rushing yards short of becoming the all-time leading rusher in school history.[7]

The Bears were held to 44 yards on the ground in 30 attempts. Bruce Parker Jr. returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown for the team's lone score.[7]

UNC

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See also: 2015 North Carolina Tar Heels football team
Week Two: North Carolina A&T vs. UNC – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Aggies 0 0 7714
Tar Heels 22 14 17053

at Kenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

  • Date: September 12, 2015
  • Game time: 6:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), Scattered Showers
  • Game attendance: 44,000
  • Referee: Ron Cherry
  • TV: ESPN3
Game information

This game marked the first meeting between the Tar Heels and the Aggies. The Aggies last saw an opponent from the ACC in 2004, with a 42–3 loss to Wake Forest.[9]

Elon

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See also: 2015 Elon Phoenix football team
Week Three: North Carolina A&T vs. Elon – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Aggies 0 7 0714
Phoenix 0 0 077

at Rhodes Stadium, Elon, North Carolina

  • Date: September 19, 2015
  • Game time: 6:00pm EDT
  • Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C), Sunny
  • Game attendance: 9,729
  • Referee: Chris Bloh
Game information

This game marked the 11th meeting between A&T and nearby In-state FCS opponent Elon. Goin into the game, the Aggies held a 7–4 all-time record against the Phoenix, with the Aggies getting a 17–12 victory on the road in 2014.[10]

Hampton

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See also: 2015 Hampton Pirates football team
Week Four: North Carolina A&T vs. Hampton – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Aggies 10 21 01445
Hampton 7 7 10731

at Armstrong Stadium, Hampton, Virginia

  • Date: October 3, 2015
  • Game time: 12:00pm EDT
  • Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C), Cloudy
  • Referee: Rick Warne
Game information

This game marked the 44th meeting between A&T and Hampton. Going into the game, Hampton held a 26–16–2 all-time record against the A&T, with the Aggies winning the last meeting 31–14 in front of a home crowd.[11]

Norfolk State

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See also: 2015 Norfolk State Spartans football team
Week Five: North Carolina A&T vs. Norfolk St. – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Aggies 7 3 17027
Hampton 0 0 303

at William "Dick" Price Stadium, Norfolk, Virginia

  • Date: October 10, 2015
  • Game time: 2:00pm EDT
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C),
  • Game attendance: 6,194
Game information

This game marked the 39th meeting between the Aggies and Norfolk State and the first game between the two since 2012. Going into the game, A&T held a 28–11 all-time record against the Spartans, with the Aggies winning the last meeting 30–9 in front of a near capacity Homecoming crowd.[12]

Bethune-Cookman

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See also: 2015 Bethune-Cookman Wildcats football team
Week Six: Bethune-Cookman vs. North Carolina A&T. – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Wildcats 7 0 0714
Aggies 0 10 7724

at Aggie Stadium, Greensboro, NC

  • Date: October 17, 2015
  • Game time: 1:00pm EDT
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C),
Game information

This game marked the 36th meeting between the A&T and Bethune-Cookman and the first game between the two since 2012. Going into the game, Bethune-Cookman held a 22–14 all-time record against the Aggies, with the Wildcats winning the last meeting 28–12 in Daytona Beach, FL.[13]

Howard

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See also: 2015 Howard Bison football team
Week Seven: Howard vs. #24 North Carolina A&T – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bison 7 7 0014
#24 Aggies 7 23 28765

at Aggie Stadium, Greensboro, NC

Game information

This game marked the 38th meeting between the A&T and Howard. Going into the game, A&T held a 26–20–2 all-time record against the Bison, with the Aggies winning the last meeting 38–22 in 2014.[14] For the first time this season, the Aggies are nationally ranked, breaking into the top 25 at #24.

Junior Running Back Tarik Cohen rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns as North Carolina A&T rolled over 0–7 Howard in the Aggies' Homecoming game. Quarterback Kwashaun Quick threw for 67 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 85 yards and another score, while Amos Williams also rushed for 85 yards and one touchdown. On the Bison's side, Quarterback Kalen Johnson threw for 163 yards and two touchdowns.[15] Howard was able to establish a 14–13 lead until Cohen broke for a 31-yard touchdown run with 5:13 left in the second quarter. The Aggies then quickly added 10 more points to go into halftime with a 30–14 lead. In the second half, the Aggies scored 34 unanswered points. Howard were never able to mount a rushing attack as A&T compiled 311 rushing yards and held the Bison to only 31.[15]

The win secures A&T's fourth straight winning season.[16]

Florida A&M

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See also: 2015 Florida A&M Rattlers football team
Week Eight: #20 North Carolina A&T vs. Florida A&M. – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
#20 Aggies 14 7 7028
Rattlers 0 0 7310

at Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee,FL

  • Date: October 31, 2015
  • Game time: 3:00pm EDT
  • Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C),
Game information

This game will mark the 63rd meeting between the A&T and Florida A&M. Going into the game, Florida A&M holds a 44–16–3 all-time record against the Aggies, with the A&T winning the last meeting 40–21 in 2014.[17]

South Carolina State

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See also: 2015 South Carolina State Bulldogs football team and North Carolina A&T–South Carolina State football rivalry
Week Nine: #19 North Carolina A&T vs. South Carolina State. – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
#19 Aggies 0 0 279
Bulldogs 3 0 306

at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, Orangeburg, SC

  • Date: November 7, 2015
  • Game time: 1:00pm EDT
  • Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C),
  • Referee: Andre Lowe
Game information

This game will mark the 53rd meeting between the A&T and rival South Carolina State. Going into the game, South Carolina State holds a 32–18–2 all-time record against the Aggies, with the Bulldogs shutting out A&T 13–0 in the 2014 Atlanta Football Classic.[18]

With both North Carolina A&T and South Carolina State being the top two defenses in the MEAC, the contest was low scoring and heavily relied upon the team's defensive lines.[19] In the final play of the game, SC State Kicker Tyler Scandrett missed a 33-yard field goal attempt as time expired. This win was the first time, and the 2nd in 16 attempts, since 1969 that the aggies defeated rival SC State inside Dawson Stadium, ending a 14-game losing streak.[19]

Delaware State

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See also: 2015 Delaware State Hornets football team
Week Ten: Delaware State vs. #19 North Carolina A&T – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hornets 0 0 066
#19 Aggies 0 6 71427

at Aggie Stadium, Greensboro, NC

  • Date: November 14, 2015
  • Game time: 1:00pm EDT
  • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C),
  • Game attendance: 8,732
  • Referee: Marcus Woods
  • TV announcers (ESPN3): Jay Walker;
Game information

This game marked the 44th meeting between the A&T and Delaware State. Going into the game, Delaware State held a 22–21–1 all-time record against the Aggies, with A&T winning the last meeting 33–20.[20]

The Aggies kept Delaware State scoreless until six minutes into the fourth quarter, leading 13–0. Delaware state's Brycen Alleyne scored on a four-yard run giving the Hornets their only points of the game. Following the hornet's kickoff, Senior Tony McRae returned the ball far a 75-yard touchdown. The Aggies were able to keep the hornets from scoring again after stopping quarterback Kobe Lain short on a 4th down run. The Aggies took over possession at their own 28-yard line and in 9 plays drove the ball 72 yards, with the drive ending in a touchdown.[21]

North Carolina Central

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See also: 2015 North Carolina Central Eagles football team and North Carolina A&T–North Carolina Central rivalry
Week Eleven: North Carolina Central vs. #16 North Carolina A&T – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Eagles 0 7 7721
#16 Aggies 0 3 7616

at Aggie Stadium, Greensboro, NC

Game information

This game marks the 87th meeting between A&T and arch rival North Carolina Central. Going into the game, the Aggies hold a 49–32–5 all-time record against the Eagles.[22] In the 2014 Meeting between the two schools, the Eagles upset the Aggies 21–14, taking the outright MEAC championship from them and creating a 5-way tie which gave Morgan State the conference automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs.[23] Going into the game, the Aggies ranked 13th in the FCS coaches poll, had allowed opponents only 73.7 rushing yards per game to top the NCAA Division I-FCS.[24]

The Eagles amassed 393 yards of total offense, including 193 yards on the ground.[24] With the loss to NCCU, the Aggies shared the MEAC Championship with their arch rival for the second year in a row.

Alcorn State – Celebration Bowl

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See also: 2015 Alcorn State Braves football team and 2015 Celebration Bowl
2015 Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Braves 6 7 71434
#22 Aggies 21 3 31441

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta,GA

  • Date: Decemberber 19, 2015
  • Game time: 12:00pm EDT
  • Game weather: Played Indoors, Domed Stadium
  • Game attendance: 35,528
  • TV: ABC
Game information

This game marks the inaugural Celebration Bowl Game, and only the 2nd meeting between the Aggies and Alcorn State. In their 2004 meeting, the Aggies lost to the Braves 13–15 in Lorman, MS. By virtue of the MEAC tiebreaker system, the Aggies were invited to the Celebration bowl vs Alcorn State, who defeated Grambling State in the 2015 SWAC championship game.

The game's first quarter showcased both Alcorn and A&T's special teams. A&T punt returner Khris Gardin scoring the first touchdown of the game with at 74-yard return from Alcorn's 26-yard line. Alcorn's game, Anthony Williams returned the favor moments later with an 84-yard punt return to pull Alcorn State within 7–6.[25] Running Back Tarik Cohen made scoring runs of 74 and 83 yards out of the Aggies' next two possessions, and A&T pushed its lead to 24–6 when Kicker Cody Jones was completed a 45-yard field goal with 11:31 left in the first half.[26] Tarik Cohen was able to drive a 73-yard touchdown with 4:17 left in the game to put A&T up by 7. Alcorn then attempted 4 passes from A&T's 9-yard line in the final possession of the game to all come up incomplete, giving A&T the first ever Celebration Bowl victory.

Tarik Cohen and Lineman Denzel Jones were named offensive and defensive most valuable players. Cohen rushed for 295 yards, recording his fourth career 200-yard rushing performance and 3rd best single game performance in A&T history. He now ties Maurice Hicks for the most 200-yard plus games in an Aggies career. Additionally, Cohen's performance has helped him set a new School record for most rushing yards in a single season with 1,543 and 15 Touchdowns. on the defensive side, Jones had 7 tackles and 1 interception.[27] Khris Gardin's performance helped him break the NCAA FCS records for punt return yards in season with 740 punt return yards. Additionally His 61.7 punt return yards per game is also a new NCAA record. Aggies junior kicker Cody Jones made two field goals from 40 yards or more. It is the first time in his career he has accomplished the feat. He has made five kicks in his career of 40 yards or more. The Aggies are now 13–12 all-time against the SWAC, and the teams' 543 yards of total offense are the most the Aggies have compiled in the five-year Broadway era.[27]


Post season

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As the 2015 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. Several players for the Aggies were honored with awards and accolades including Junior running back Tarik Cohen, Redshirt Sophomore Offensive Lineman Brandon Parker, and Sophomore punt returner Khris Gardin.

Cohen was named MEAC Offensive player of the year for the second year in a row. He is the first Aggie football player since Connell Maynor to win back-to-back offensive player of the year awards. Cohen led the MEAC in rushing and recorded his third straight 1,000 yard season with 1,248 total yards.[28] Parker was named MEAC Offensive Lineman of the year and is only the second Aggie in school history win the award, following Qasim Mitchell, who claimed the award in 2001.[29] Parker did not allow a single sack from his left tackle position through 11 games and only had two penalties called against him this season while registering 4.32 pancake blocks per game. The offensive line accounted for 3,902 total offensive yards including 1,960 yards on the ground, making the Aggies the second-best rushing offense in the MEAC.[29][30]

Gardin received All-American honors from STATS FCS (first team), BOXTOROW, and the FCS Athletics Directors Association. Additionally, he was also named first-team All-MEAC as a return specialist.[31][32] Gardin, who also holds the school record for punt returns in a season, set a new NCAA FCS records for punt return yards in both a single season and also average punt return yards per game, is the first first-team All-American punt returner for the Aggies since Curtis Deloatch in 2001.[31]

The following A&T players were also named to the All–MEAC First, Second, and Third Teams:[30]

All-MEAC First Team
  • Tarik Cohen, Jr., RB
  • Khris Gardin, So., RS
  • Tony McRae, Sr., DB
  • Brandon Parker, R-So., OL
  • Marquis Ragland, R-Jr., DL
All-MEAC Second Team
  • Denzel Jones, R-Sr., LB
  • Angelo Keyes, R-Fr., DL
  • Denzel Keyes, Jr., WR
All-MEAC Third Team
  • Marquis Boyan, Sr. DB
  • Michael Neal, Sr. DL

2016 NFL draft

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The 2016 NFL draft was held on April 28–30, 2017 at the Auditorium Theater and Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois.[33] The following A&T players were either selected or signed as undrafted free agents following the draft.

Player Position Round Overall pick NFL team
Tony McRae CB —- Undrafted FA Oakland Raiders

2016 CFL draft

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The 2016 CFL Draft took place on May 10, 2016. The following A&T players were either selected or signed as undrafted free agents following the draft.

Player Position Round Overall pick CFL Team
Kevin Francis LB —- Supplemental Pick Saskatchewan Roughriders[notes 2]

Ranking movements

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes ( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112Final
STATS FCSRVRVRVRVRVRVRV24201919162221
CoachesRV—RVRVRVRVRV24201614132021
Sheridan2 (7)2 (10)2 (11)2 (10)2 (10)2 (10)2 (10)1 (19)11 (21)
BoxtoRow2 (3)1 (5)2 (3)22 (2)2 (18)2 (20)1 (18)1 (20)11151 (21)

Notes

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  1. ^ Offensive Line coach Keith Wagner was replaced by Graduate Assistant Ronald Canty following the North Carolina Central Game
  2. ^ The Saskatchewan Roughriders forfeited their 3rd round selection in the 2017 CFL Draft when they took Kevin Francis in the 2016 Supplemental Draft.

References

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  1. ^ "Aggies Announce 2015 Class". North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Department of Athletics. November 10, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  2. ^ "A&T Picked To Win MEAC, Cohen Named Preseason POTY". North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Department of Athletics. July 31, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  3. ^ "NCAT vs Bethune-Cookman Fact Sheet" (PDF). ncataggies.com. NCAT Sports Information. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  4. ^ "North Carolina A&T Aggies Schedule 2015". ESPN. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  5. ^ "2015 Football Schedule". North Carolina A&T State University. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  6. ^ "SU, NC A&T Renew Football Rivalry in 2015 Season Opener Saturday". Shaw University Department of Athletics. September 3, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  7. ^ a b c "Cohen Runs for 2 Scores as North Carolina A&T Tops Shaw 61–7". ESPN. September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  8. ^ a b "Aggies Topple Shaw In Season Opener". North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Department of Athletics. September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  9. ^ "Wake Forest Thrashes North Carolina A&T, 42–3". Wake Forest University Department of Athletics. September 14, 2004. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  10. ^ "A&T Wins as Defense Stifles Elon". North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Department of Athletics. September 19, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  11. ^ "North Carolina A&T vs Hampton (VA)". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  12. ^ "North Carolina A&T vs Norfolk St. (VA)". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  13. ^ "North Carolina A&T vs Bethune-Cookman (FL)". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  14. ^ "North Carolina A&T vs Howard (DC)". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  15. ^ a b "Aggies Look Great At Earth's Greatest Homecoming". www.ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  16. ^ "A&T Seeks Greatness At Greatest Homecoming". ncataggies.com. NCAT Sports Information. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  17. ^ "North Carolina A&T vs Florida A&M". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  18. ^ "North Carolina A&T vs South Carolina St". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 15, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  19. ^ a b "Bizarre Finish Leaves A&T Undefeated In MEAC". ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  20. ^ "North Carolina A&T vs Delaware State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  21. ^ "Aggies Go Back-To-Back, Back-To-Back". ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  22. ^ "North Carolina A&T vs North Carolina Central". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  23. ^ "A&T Loses At NCCU, Share MEAC Title". North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Department of Athletics. November 22, 2014. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  24. ^ a b "- MEACsports.com – The Official Site of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference". MEACSports.com. Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  25. ^ "Alcorn State vs. North Carolina A&T – Game Recap – December 19, 2015 – ESPN". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
  26. ^ "North Carolina A&T tops Alcorn State in the inaugural Celebration Bowl". USA TODAY. Associated Press. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
  27. ^ a b "Aggies Win HBCU National Championship". North Carolina A&T Aggies. NC A&T Sports Information. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  28. ^ "Cohen, Parker Win Top Offensive Awards". ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
  29. ^ a b "Cohen, Parker Win Top Offensive Awards". ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  30. ^ a b "MEAC ANNOUNCES 2015 FOOTBALL ALL-MEAC AWARDS". meacsports.com. Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  31. ^ a b "Gardin Earns FCS All-American Honors". ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports information. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
  32. ^ "Gardin Does It Again". ncataggies.com. NC A&T Sports Information. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  33. ^ Goodbread, Chris. "NFL draft to return to Chicago in 2016". NFL.com. NFL. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
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