North Carolina A&T football coach Lee Fobbs said the biggest difference between 2006 and 2007 is that this 2007 team is actually a team. “We believe in this word team,’’ said Fobbs. “Every man on this team has to believe in every other man on this team, if we’re going to be successful.”

His words proved prophetic on what turned out to be the biggest play of the game in N.C. A&T’s 28-7 loss to Winston-Salem State Saturday night at Bowman Gray Stadium. The two key North Carolina A&T participants on the play are not passing the buck.

“He made a great effort,’’ said N.C. A&T quarterback Herb Miller. “I messed up. I thought I saw him coming open. I tried to get it to him. I shouldn't have done that."

“I touched it,’’ said N.C. A&T senior receiver Curtis Walls. “As a receiver, I feel like if I touch it, it’s my responsibility to catch it.”

Miller and Walls are discussing the play that all but sealed the win for the Rams. N.C. A&T was driving down the field with enough momentum to move a bolder. The Aggies had just used a Rams turnover to move to within two touchdowns at 21-7 in the third quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, on a 2^nd-and-goal from the Rams 8-yard line, Miller rolled out to his right. He spotted Curtis Walls break away from his defender. Miller, who is known for his ability to pick up yardage with his feet, decided to make a play with his arm. Miller’s toss sailed behind Walls, who managed to get his hand on the ball enough to knock it up in the air.

The ball bounced around the hands of several people before, there was even an appearance the ball may have hit the ground. But it was ruled that the ball landed in the chest of Reginald Johnson, who was lying on the ground in the end zone. The Rams went on to score again to seal their second straight win over the Aggies.

“I’m a senior on this team,’’ said Walls. “I’m expected to be a dependable receiver. There are no excuses. We have a good football team. We know we have a good football team. We just have to finish.”

Fobbs said he and his coaching staff released any player who didn’t want to be a part of the “team.” He wanted everyone to take responsibility for the resurgence of the Aggie team. Judging from Walls and Miller, the Aggies have those type players who can help make 2007 a pleasant memory.

“Your peers are going to remind you of the losing streak,’’ Walls said before the start of the season. “You go to class, somebody will ask what happened? You go to the (cafeteria), somebody says what happened? You go to the store; somebody wants to know what happened.”

“Those comments add up and they just irritate you. You live it every day. If we don’t stick together and believe, who will? We have to believe in each other.”

IMPROVED DEFENSE: The Aggies gave up 286 yards on the ground, but there should be no mistake about how much better the Aggies defense looked on Saturday. After a season where they ranked next to last nationally in defense, the Aggies flew to the football and made some big hits. Andre Thornton was everywhere. Safety Brandon Croley signified the new attitude on defense when he popped Rams receiver Johnathan Kizer.

The Aggies forced the Rams to punt seven times Saturday and the Rams were just 3 of 11 on third down. Last season, teams converted 49 percent of their first downs and Aggie opponents only punted 30 times last season.

"We had to add speed during the off-season,'' said Fobbs. "I think you saw that today. You saw how much of a difference speed makes on defense."

GIANT START FOR ANDRE: Andre Thornton became the first true freshman in Aggie history to lead the team in tackles last season. On Saturday, he started to prove it wasn't beginner's luck. Thornton recorded 12 tackles. Nine of his tackles were solo stops and he made three stops behind the line of scrimmage. A year ago, Thornton only made two stops behind the line of scrimmage.

"We are a better defense. There is no about that,'' said Thornton. "We were more active tonight, and we gave the team a chance to win tonight. We just have to seal the deal next time."