AGGIES VOLLEYBALL GETS TV TIMEGREENSBORO, N.C., October 10, 2005 – Brandon Trusty did all it on Saturday, but he made two key special teams plays that earned MEAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Trusty completed a pass, scored on a punt return and scored a two-point conversion in the Aggies 40-33 overtime win over Morgan State. Trusty started the game with a 62-yard completion to Chaz Dawson that set up a 3-yard touchdown by Orrick “Rico” Watkins. Trusty then took over on the special teams phase of the game.
He used a block from Michael Haye to break into open field for an 88-yard punt return that gave the Aggies a 19-0 first-quarter lead.
“The punt return was set up by great blocking,’’ Trusty said. “I looked over at (N.C. A&T head coach) Small and he gave me the thumbs up. So I knew the pressure was on. I wanted to catch the ball first then look for my hole. Once I found the crease and got the two blocks I needed I just wanted to make sure no one caught me from behind.”
Trusty’s final feat of the evening may have saved the game for the Aggies. With the Aggies leading 31-25 in the third quarter, Trusty who was playing the role of holder on an extra point following one of Brandon Sweeney’s four touchdowns, took a bad snap from center.
He alertly stood up and ran the ball into the end zone before the Morgan State defenders even noticed.
“On the two-point conversion, the snap was high that I had to stand to catch it, so I wasn’t thinking about the kick. Fortunately, I found a hole and went to the end zone.”
Trusty’s main duty is still catching passes. He had five catches for 57 yards on Saturday and has caught at least one pass in 19 straight games, a streak that dates back to the 2003 season.
He leads the Aggies in receiving yards (208) and receiving (22 catches). “We call him ‘Trust’,’’ said Small. “I think that’s an appropriate name for him. You can trust that he’s going to do the right thing on the football field.”