Radio: A&T Sports Radio Network presented by Marcus T. Johnson (1400 AM, 103.5 FM The Light; Tobacco Road Sports Radio; XM Sirius)
Play-by-play: Donal Ware; Analyst: Al Swann
TV: ACC Network Extra
Play-by-Play: Matt Schick; Analyst: Charles Arbuckle

NORTH CAROLINA A&T AGGIES STORYLINES 

• Twenty years ago, a North Carolina A&T football team, coming off a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship, made a trip to Winston-Salem, N.C., to face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
• It marked the first time in program history the Aggies had ever faced an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) school and a Power Five. The Demon Deacons defeated the Aggies 42-3 on Sept. 18, 2004.
• Times have certainly changed in the world of A&T football since that day. The Aggies have played 10 Division I-FBS schools since, including the ACC's Duke Blue Devils three times and the ACC's University of North Carolina once.
• A&T has won three FBS contests, including at Kent State in 2016, at Charlotte in 2017, and at East Carolina in 2018. The Aggies are scheduled to play N.C. State in 2027. A&T has never defeated a Power Four school.
• Even though the Aggies will be playing up a level, all eyes will be on their offense. A&T's offense ranked 115th in Division I-FCS football out of 122 schools in 2023. Their passing offense ranked 122nd out of 122 schools ranked.
• David Marsh was hired in January to resurrect the Aggies offense, which, over the years, has gained the reputation of being called Running Back U for its ability to move the football on the ground.
• Running Back U this season features leading returning rusher Kenji Christian, veteran RB Wesley Graves, and speedster Shimique Blizzard. A&T also possesses talented pass catchers in Amonte Jones and Ger-Cari Caldwell.
• But the big question for the Aggies offense is their quarterback situation. Justin Fomby has the most experience as he enters his fourth college football season. He spent the past two seasons at Houston Christian University, throwing for 2,297 yards in 2022.
• Kevin White played seven games as a true freshman last season with the Aggies, leading A&T to its only win of the season by rushing for 115 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. The Aggies may also play true freshman Braxton Thomas out of Sarasota, Fla.
• The A&T defense lost its top two tacklers from last season, BJ Turner and Avarion Cole. But A&T's next three top tacklers are returning, led by Freshman All-American Joshua Iseah. Kade Moledor, who also played a lot of snaps as a true freshman, also returns along with graduate LB Malich Jacobs.
• Meanwhile, the Aggies may have one of the most experienced secondaries in Division I-FCS football, led by Karon Prunty. Prunty is on two Watch List, including for the Aeneas Williams Award, which will recognize the best HBCU defensive back in the nation. Williams is a former walk-on at Southern University, who eventually became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
• Prunty is also on the Urban Edge Network HBCU + FCS National Player of the Year Watch List, which will name the best HBCU defensive back in the nation at season's end.
• Senior Aaron Harris will join Prunty at the other cornerback position. Meanwhile, safety Ty Williams, Jr. enters his third season as a starter, and fellow safety David Laney enters his second season as a starter.

About last night, it doesn't get any better than this ???? @NCATFootball x #AggiePride pic.twitter.com/o2SKg2nvcn

— N.C. A&T Athletics (@NCATAGGIES) August 29, 2024

SCOUTING THE WAKE FOREST DEMON DEACONS

• Wake Forest is coming off a 4-8 season, where they went 1-7 in the ACC. The Demon Deacons are picked to finish 16th in the robust 17-team ACC.
• The Demon Deacons are coming into the season on a five-game losing streak, as they also look for an answer at the quarterback position. Michael Kern returns with the most experience in the offense, having thrown for 647 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions on 57-for-92 passing.
• Kern competed against Hank Bachmeier. Bachmeier is at his third university after attending Boise State and Louisiana Tech. He threw for 2,058 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions on 182-for-269 passing last season for La Tech.
• Taylor Morin is the top leading receiver returning after he caught 41 passes for 617 yards and two touchdowns. Morin also returned 15 punts for 148 yards.
• The Deacs also have a dynamic weapon on kick return in Desmond Claiborne. Claiborne rushed for 586 yards and five touchdowns on 137 carries as a running back. Claiborne, an honorable mention All-ACC kick returner in 2023, returned 10 kicks for 284 yards and a touchdown.
• Wake had six All-ACC players in 2023, with four returning, including Claiborne, defensive end Jasheen Davis, offensive tackle DeVonte Gordon, and defensive tackle Kelvin Pointer.
• Linebacker Dylan Hazen led the team in tackles last season with 86. He also had 8 ½ tackles for loss, a sack, and three quarterback hurries. Pointer had 37 tackles, nine for loss, 1 ½ sacks, and four QB hurries.
• A&T alum Jacob Roberts played for the Demon Deacons last season, becoming their second-leading tackler after earning numerous accolades as an A&T Aggie from 2019-22, totaling 218 tackles, 29 ½ for loss, and 9 ½ sacks.

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THE SERIES           

• Wake Forest leads the series, 1-0, after the two teams played for the first time on Sept. 18, 2004.