Date: Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022
Time: noon
Location: Truist Stadium, East Greensboro, N.C.
Radio: Donal Ware (pxp); Al Swann (analyst); Billy Covington (halftime)
Radio Stations: WKEW 1400 AM; 96.3 FM; Sirus X.M. Radio 3801/online 970
TV/Stream: Spencer Turkin (pxp); Allen Jones (analyst)
Platform: ESPN+
NORTH CAROLINA A&T AGGIES (6-3, 3-0 Big South): The Aggies return to conference play on Saturday as they try to remain undefeated in the Big South Conference. The interesting thing about the Aggies game against Charleston Southern at Truist Stadium on Saturday is that the outcome has little to do with the conference's automatic bid. Even if the Aggies win, they may need help to clinch at least a share of the conference title. They will not be able to clinch the Big South's automatic berth to the NCAA Division I-FCS playoffs. Gardner-Webb comes into the weekend 3-0 in the conference with a tough road contest against Campbell approaching. Regardless of what happens in their respective contests, A&T and Gardner-Webb will play a winner-take-all game at Gardner-Webb at noon on Saturday, Nov. 19.
However, if A&T beats Charleston Southern and Gardner-Webb loses to Campbell, the Aggies will clinch at least a share of the Big South title. On the flip side, if the Runnin' Bulldogs beat Campbell and A&T loses to the CSU Buccaneers, then the Bulldogs will grab at least a share of the conference title. But all of it leads to a crucial contest next week in Boiling Springs, N.C. This week the Aggies will try to further their tough defensive ways, as they were coming off a four-interception game against Norfolk State last week.
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN BUCCANEERS (2-7, 2-2 BIG SOUTH): The Bucs are not intimidated against the Aggies. They played the Aggies down to the wire in 2019 and 2021. The Bucs led the Aggies 14-6 at the half in Charleston, S.C., in 2019 before Jah-Maine Martin rushed for 299 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-21 A&T win. Last season, the Aggies needed 11 sacks to beat the Bucs in Charleston, 21-18 in Charleston. The Bucs will head to East Greensboro for the first time. They come in thinking upset after playing a demanding schedule that included N.C. State, Furman and Eastern Kentucky. They only lost to Campbell by six, and GWU beat the Bucs by two touchdowns. The Bucs have an excellent receiving crops that includes Seth Anderson. Anderson has made 41 receptions for 617 yards and seven touchdowns. However, the Bucs surrender 162.78 yards per game on the ground.
A&T HEAD COACH SAM WASHINGTON: Washington is in his fifth season overall and his fourth season on the sideline after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Aggies to cancel the 2020 season. Washington is 30-14 (.682) as A&T's head coach. Washington won coach of the year honors in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in 2018. He won 19 games over his first two seasons in AggieLand, the most of any A&T coach in his first two years on the job for the Aggies. Washington served as the Aggies defensive coordinator from 2011-17 before becoming head coach. He designed one of the best defenses in the nation during his time as the defensive coordinator.
CSU HEAD COACH AUTRY DENSON: Denson spent four seasons in the NFL after leaving Notre Dame with four different teams before entering the coaching ranks. His first collegiate job was at Bethune-Cookman as a running backs coach, so he has familiarity with A&T. Denson has a winning record against Big South teams, where he stands at 11-10. The Bucs have never finished lower than third in the Big South.
THE QUARTERBACKS: Jalen Fowler took ownership of the quarterback position at A&T four weeks ago. Last week, he had his fourth straight 200-yard passing game as he threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns on 22-for-33 passing. His 22 completions marked a career high, and he had another game without an interception, even though he fumbled. Fowler has two picks on the season.
The Bucs have tried several options at quarterback. Redshirt freshman Deymon Fleming, Jr. received the most snaps against Robert Morris last week, as he threw for 150 yards, a touchdown, and an interception on 13-for-27 passing. Tony Bartalo completed all five pass attempts for 30 yards and ran for a score. He had the game-winning touchdown against Bryant.
NEWS AND NOTES
- Tuten has rushed for more than 100 yards in a game eight straight times. He already has the school record for consecutive 100-yard rushing games. He needs two more 100-yard games this season to break the Big South record.
- A&T linebacker Jacob Roberts is coming off a week where he made 12 tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown. It marked the second straight week he has returned an INT for a T.D.
- For his efforts, he earned Big South defensive player of the week, marking the second time in his career he has earned the honor.
- The Aggies will play in their home finale on Saturday. The Aggies will honor 14 seniors before the game as a part of Senior Day. Among those seniors will be seven Aggies who have already graduated.
- The Aggies are seeking their seventh straight win. They are guaranteed a winning season, their ninth in the past 10 seasons.
- If the Aggies advance to the NCAA playoffs, it will mark their sixth postseason appearance in seven seasons.
- The last time the Aggies made the NCAA FCS playoffs was in 2016 when they lost to the Richmond Spiders of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
