Matt Johnson’s Journal:A&T Shines in 42-17 Rout of FAMU at G.H.O.E(This is N.C. A&T Aggie Football)

A&T Shines in 42-17 Rout of FAMU at G.H.O.E
from Matt Johnson with GreensboroSports.com College Football Coverage

North Carolina A&T (7-1, 5-0 MEAC) found themselves behind 10-7 during their homecoming extravaganza in the second quarter, however once Tarik Cohen took control, it was a 21-10 contest at halftime in favor of the home squad.

Florida A&M (3-6, 3-3 MEAC) came into the game an underdog against the #1 black college football team in America, and (entering the game) the #11 FCS team in the country, but for the first quarter and a half the Rattlers kept Cohen and quarterback Lamar Raynard in check. However, Cohen and the offense regrouped to follow a 10-7 deficit with 35 unanswered points.

NCAA FCS Player of the Year candidate Tarik Cohen once again led the charge for the offense, starting the Aggies gold rush of points with a 19-yard touchdown run. The Aggies leading rusher would conclude his day with 145 yards on 19 carries and three touchdowns, including an 83 yard scamper, a big play that has become the running back’s trademark.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Lamar Raynard has shown consistency and stability running the offense for A&T in his recent outings, and Saturday he added another solid performance to his resume. Raynard was intercepted twice, but completed 20-27 passes for 230 yards and one touchdown, which gave the Aggies their 21-10 halftime lead and the momentum heading into the third quarter.

The seniors also came out to play in Greensboro, as it was Tyree Andrews, a fifth year senior, who made his first start at safety during the 2016 campaign. Andrews made a team leading six tackles in the contest. Senior wide receiver Denzel Keyes also added five receptions for 38 yards to the offensive attack.

The Aggies will take on South Carolina State (3-4, 3-1 MEAC) in their final home contest of the season. The game, despite the 3-4 overall record of South Carolina State, will have big conference implications heading into the home stretch of the 2016 regular season in the MEAC. The Aggies currently sit atop the conference with a 5-0 conference record.

Opponents average 405 yards per game of total offense against the Bulldog defense, and are particularly susceptive to the rushing attack. Aggie quarterback Lamar Raynard will need to be solid and able to throw the ball with consistency when called upon. Cohen and his spectacular numbers will be there in the backfield, but Raynard will need to be able to convert third down situations to ensure a victory.

Cohen is the only MEAC rusher with over 1000 yards so far this season (1168), and should be mainstay in the offense. The Aggies are the number one rushing team in the conference, so look for Head Coach Rod Broadway and A&T to stick to the winning formula that has gotten them five straight victories.

North Carolina A&T and the South Carolina State Bulldogs will face off in the last home game of the season for the Aggies, the contest is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Greensboro at Aggie Stadium.

Matt Johnson is a broadcaster for Averett University Football and the Averett Sports Network. To view one of his broadcasts, go to www.averettcougars.com on Saturdays during Averett University home games for live coverage of Averett football or search for Averett athletics on YouTube for a previous broadcast.