GAME CENTER vs. BETHUNE-COOKMAN

 

Full Game Notes vs. Bethune-Cookman

Coach Lee's Monday Press Conference

Homecoming ups and downs
This will be 29th North Carolina A&T homecoming conducted at Aggie Stadium. Over the first 28 homecomings at the East Lindsay Street stadium, the Aggies have lost 14 and won 14. The .500 record is a result of the Aggies losing their last five homecoming affairs. The Aggies will face Bethune-Cookman for eighth time at Aggie Stadium when homecoming is involved. The Wildcats appearance this season will match Howard for the most frequent Aggies homecoming opponent.

Homecomings at Aggie Stadium
All-Time Record........................ 14-14
Last Homecoming Win........2003, 27-7 vs. Howard
Last Homecoming Loss............2008, 41-3 vs. MSU
Longest Homecoming Winning Streak.................... 3, (1985-87; 99-01)
Longest Homecoming Losing Streak........................5 (2004-08)
Largest Margin of Victory.................. 66 vs. B-CU, 73-7 (Nov. 2, 1996)
Largest Margin of Defeat ..................55 vs. Tennessee St., 9-24-66

The Scouting Report
The homecoming game might last about an hour considering how much the Aggies like to run the ball along with Bethune-Cookman’s desire to stay on the ground. Four different players have more than 100 yards rushing this season for the Wildcats, and they are just three yards away from having four men over 200 yards rushing. Fred McCaskill, Maurice Francois, Androse Bell and Matthew Johnson have all played key roles in the Wildcats running attack. Francois has also thrown for 229 yards and his partner at the quarterback position – Matthew Johnson – has thrown for 462 yards and a touchdown. The favorite target has been JeVaughn Reams who has 27 receptions for 369 yards. Defensively, Reggie Sandilands leads the Wildcats in tackles with 46.

Third Down Defense
The Aggies have been remarkable defensively on third down. The Aggies are good at getting offenses off the field by stopping them on third down. So is their opponent this week. The Aggies and the Wildcats rank in the top 10 in getting teams off the field on third down. The Aggies rank fourth in the nation in 3rd down defense efficiency, while the Wildcats lead the nation. Opponents have converted just 24 percent of their 3rd downs against the Aggies this season. Meanwhile, the Wildcat opponents have converted just 16.5 percent of their third downs against B-CU. The Aggies are on pace to have the best defensive showing in terms of preventing third down conversion since the 1995 team limited teams to just a 24 percent (33 of 135) third down conversion rate.

Nationally Ranking 3rd down efficiency

School                                                3rd down con.                                                 Pct.
1. Bethune-Cookman                                13                                                              16.5%
2. Dayton                                                  21                                                              20.6%
3. Elon                                                     23                                                               22.1%
4. N.C. A&T                                              23                                                               24.0%
5. Central Conn. St.                                 19                                                               24.4%
6. Howard                                                24                                                                24.8%
7. Jacksonville                                         26                                                                25.0%
8. Alabama A&M                                     23                                                                25.6%