North Carolina
North Carolina A&T focused on Big South lead, not GHOE
GREENSBORO, N.C. — North Carolina A&T has recovered from a three-game dropping streak to open the season to run off 4 straight victories and forge a three-way tie for first place within the Massive South Convention. The Biggest Homecoming on Earth (AKA GHOE) will resolve partly who emerges from that logjam.
Each A&T and Campbell have 4-3 general data, and are 2-0 within the convention. Gardner-Webb is the third crew within the group, though its general report is 3-5. However the tie isn’t the most important factor on the thoughts of A&T coach Sam Washington.
CAMELS QB GETS AGGIES ATTENTION
“The quarterback being a twin menace,” Washington says, referring to Camels quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams. “That’s a priority as a result of he’s very efficient when he will get an open area. He’s very arduous to sort out, and so we bought to maintain him corralled in any respect prices.”
Williams had his struggles within the 22-14 loss to Jackson State on Saturday. He accomplished 15 of 28 passes for 131 yards and a late landing. He added 31 yards speeding and one other landing towards the Tigers, however Washington and certainly one of his defenders is bracing for Williams placing up extra important numbers.
“I’ve seen him get into the open subject and make a defender miss. We’re going to should preserve him well-contained,” says A&T sophomore linebacker Tyquan King, who had 10 tackles within the Robert Morris recreation. “You’re going to have to interrupt down while you’re coming in to sort out him. You may’t are available in for the massive hit or miss.”
A&T OFFENSE ROLLS AGAINST COLONIALS
Campbell might have comparable considerations with stopping the Aggies offense, primarily based on the 38-14 victory over Robert Morris final weekend. Quarterback Jalen Fowler, named as co-offensive participant of the week within the Massive South, threw for profession highs of 297 yards and 4 touchdowns. Two of these scores went to receiver Zach Leslie, who completed with seven catches for 118 yards in compiling his fourth profession two-touchdown recreation.
“We simply have to remain centered and benefit from the stuff that they offer us,” Leslie says of the Campbell recreation. “We’ve simply bought to be disciplined and simply let the sport come to us.”
The Aggies additionally bought it collectively on the bottom, with Bhayshul Tuten operating for 139 yards on 23 carries. In all, A&T ran for 187 yards towards the winless Colonials.
One takeaway from the victory will certainly have Washington’s consideration main into Saturday. Robert Morris ran for 108 yards within the second half towards the A&T protection, and the Aggies had 9 penalties for 90 yards.
A&T introduced again GHOE final 12 months because the impacts from the pandemic diminished. With a convention title nonetheless of their sights, King says the Aggies will keep away from the celebrations earlier than the sport with hopes of getting one when the sport is over. The crew will collect in a lodge to maintain the noise and distractions of GHOE out.
“Come Friday, once we get on the bus, we get put in a lodge away from everyone,” he says. “We’re positively on the up aspect of issues, being that the season began out a bit of sluggish however simply attempting to complete. It makes an enormous distinction when everybody’s on the identical web page and we’re of 1 accord.”
