NC A&T REGAINS HBCU NAT'L TITLE FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 3 YEARS
ATLANTA, GA.- Grambling State and NC A&T have a long rival history, when these schools meet their called the battle of the powerhouses for a reason.
Grambling State (11-1) dominated the SWAC Conference with a dominating defense and a unique offense led by QB #1 Devantae Kincade looks to make it two straight HBCU titles vs NC A&T.
NC A&T (11-0) continued to gain respect from the BCS as one of the elite schools in the country within their respective MEAC conference. After losing the HBCU Title game to Grambling State last season they began to seek it back led by QB #7 Lamar Raynard and RB #22 Marquell Cartwright looks to make it a perfect season for the Aggies as the clash between these two titans meet up in the Celebration Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
2nd Quarter:
After a feel out for both teams in quarter 1, A&T scores first points og the game as QB #7 Lamar Raynard throws a 11 yard strike to #22 Marquell Cartwright 7-0 Aggies with 4:58 remaining.
Grambling State on the move as QB #1 Devante Kincade made three big runs deep into A&T territory and capped it off with a 2 yard TD from Kincade to TE #83 Jordan Jones with :43 remaining, game tied 7-7.
Grambling State defense came thru in the closing seconds blocking a attempt FG by NC A&T game tied 7 all at the half.
Halftime summary:
Grambling State must continue to move the football QB Kincade has to effective reading the defense and scramble for yards.
NC A&T must rely on their defense to keep them in the game allowing their offense to produce scores to win.
Third Quarter:
Grambling State opens the quarter marching down the field only to get pick by the Aggies #29 Mac McCain III into the red zone. Grambling State turns it over (2nd of the game).
NC A&T takes advantage of the miscues of Grambling State as they used the running game attack and get a score on a 29 yard TD run by Cartwright (his second of the game) Aggies go up 14-7 to end the quarter.
Fourth Quarter:
Tigers making progress as they established their drive QB Kincade is finding his niche crisp passing to his receivers and scrambling in the pocket burning the defense, a 25 yard run to the 29 of A&T, capped off by 25 yard TD pass to RB #4 Martez Carter, game tied at 14 with 14:16 left to open the quarter.
Big play for the Aggies defense as Grambling State RB fumbles the football inside the their own10 (3rd TO) and with the Aggies threating inside the 10, the Tigers defense got a big play of their own and held up as LB #5 De'Arius Christmas collapses the pocket and shuts down Cartwright on fourth down at the one for the turnover keeping the game tied at 14 with 9:50 remaining.
Scary moment of the game as Cartwright runs for a big gain and collides head on with Grambling State DB #14 T'Kevian Rockwell. Rockwell got up under his own power and expected to be ok. Grambling State defense once again comes thru on third and long QB Raynard overthrows his reciever and picked off giving the ball back to Grambling with 2:46 remaining.
NC A&T defense get the ball back for their offense forcing a 3 & out with 1:50 to go, with the Aggies near midfield QB Raynard goes to work, making plays with the passing and moving the chains setting up NC A&T with a first and goal on a fake spike to WR #13 Elijah Bell down to the 1 yard line of Grambling State and puts the exclamation point on the game with a QB rushing TD with :38 to go and they win 21-14.
Final Toughts:
Grambling State (11-2) didn't play their style of football what got them to the National Title game, they started slow but got it going. QB Kincade had to work to keep Grambling on the field to score, penalties/turnovers killed drives down the stretch which was keys to their loss.
NC A&T (12-0) finished their first ever undefeated season in MEAC history, their defense came thru time and time again when it matters. Defense- containment to running game, play the recievers tight, getting to the QB, and forcing turnovers. Offense- QB Raynard played outstanding, making plays with his legs scrambling and setting up the pass/run, RB Cartwright running aggressively in and around the defense for yards, WR'S making big catches, and the O-line doing a great job with protection which was keys to their win.
Game Stats:
Passing:
Grambling State QB Kincade- 19/36 225yds INT
NC A&T QB Raynard- 24/44 237yds 2 INT
Rushing:
Grambling State- 27 car./111 yds
NC A&T- 36 car./160 yds
First Downs:
Grambling State- 17
NC A&T- 23
Total plays (offense):
Grambling State- 63/336 yds 2 TD
NC A&T- 80/397 yds 3 TD
Article written by Shawn L. Harris