The attendance for Saturday's game between the North Carolina A&T Aggies and the NCCU in the Duke's Mayo Classic played at Bank of America Stadium was 35,789.
The Eagles beat the Aggies for the first time since 2016. Twenty-eight points are the most points scored by the Eagles against the Aggies since 2016. On the flip side, 13 points are the fewest points the Aggies have scored in the rivalry since scoring two points in 1988.
In the previous four meetings between the two schools, NCCU scored a combined 24 points. The Eagles scored 28 points on Saturday.
The two teams played at a neutral site for the first time since 2008, when they also played in Charlotte. The 2008 game took place at Charlotte's American Legion Memorial Stadium.
The Aggies dropped to 21-12 all-time in Charlotte. It was the Aggies first trip to Charlotte since beating the Charlotte 49ers 35-31 in 2017.
A&T has lost back-to-back season openers for the first time since the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Last season, Furman defeated the Aggies 29-18 in Greenville, S.C.
The last time A&T lost to a school from the MEAC was Nov. 9, 2019, when Morgan State defeated the Aggies 22-16 in Baltimore. The Aggies were still a member of the MEAC during that season. A&T has two more MEAC teams on its schedule, with South Carolina State coming to East Greensboro on Sept. 24 and Norfolk State coming to Truist Stadium on Nov. 5.
A&T is now 10-4 against NCCU at a neutral site. However, the Eagles have defeated the Aggies the last two times the teams met on neutral ground.
Thanks to their success in the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, first at the Georgia Dome and then at Mercedes Benz Stadium, the Aggies have had a pretty good track record when playing in NFL Stadiums. Their last loss in an NFL Stadium came in 2014 when S.C. State defeated the Aggies 13-0 in the old Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
First-time starters for the Aggies included corner Karon Prunty, defensive end Janorris Robertson, rover Mychale Salahuddin, running back Bhayshul Tuten, right guard Tim Williams, free safety Ty Williams, Jr., and quarterback Zachary Yeager.
Aggie debuts included tight end DeAndre Arnold-Gaskins, punter Caleb Brickhouse, wide receiver Ger-Cari Caldwell, rover Avarion Cole, nose guard Caleb Jones, returner Amonte Jones, special teams Elliot Kadans, cornerback Karon Prunty, long snapper Bryson Ruddy and receiver Laquan Veney.
The Aggies are still 54-35-5 against the Eagles in the all-time series. The Aggies are 12-9 against the Eagles since 2000.
OFFENSE
Yeager's 48 pass attempts are the second most in program history by an A&T quarterback in a single game. Maseo Bolin holds the record with 49 attempts against Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 29, 1994.
Yeager threw for a freshman school record 275 yards. Wayne Campbell had the previous record when he threw for 262 yards in 2006.
Zach Leslie made five receptions for 87 yards on 11 targets. It was his best game since compiling six receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown against Alcorn State on Dec. 15, 2018.
Yeager's 55-yard touchdown pass to Jamison Warren in the first quarter was the longest TD throw by an Aggie freshman since Lamar Raynard connected with Malik Wilson on a 53-yard touchdown pass at Florida A&M on Oct. 31, 2015.
It was Warren's second career touchdown reception and Yeager's first career touchdown pass. In addition, Warren secured career highs in receptions (6) and receiving yards (90).
Bhayshul Tuten had 75 all-purpose yards on Saturday, including 55 receiving yards. Tuten had 786 all-purpose yards last season. He had a 36-yard touchdown run called back due to holding.
DEFENSE
Linebacker Jacob Roberts led the Aggies in tackles with 13. It marked the sixth time in his career he has secured double-figure tackles. In addition, it marked the eighth time in his career that he has led the Aggies in tackles.
Linebacker Tyquan King also had double-figure tackles with 11. It was his second time reaching double-figure tackles in his career.
Saturday marked the 70th time since Sam Washington came to A&T as the defensive coordinator and later head coach that the Aggies held an opponent to under 100 yards rushing. In addition, it marked the 56th time in 117 games the opponent was held under 80 yards rushing.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Aggies kicker Andrew Brown connected on two field goals of 40 yards or more on Saturday, including a 49-yarder that tied his career high. He is now 7-for-8 from 40 yards or more in his career.
In his debut as the Aggies punter, Brickhouse punted twice for an average of 41.5 yards. He had a 54-yard punt in the game.
