WILDCATS EARN WIN OVER AGGIESGREENSBORO, N.C., October 29, 2005 – Bethune-Cookman quarterback Jimmie Russell was very unkind to N.C. A&T’s seniors on the Aggies Senior Night Saturday at Aggie Stadium.
Russell ran for a touchdown and threw for another in a 54-17 win over N.C. A&T in MEAC football action. Bethune-Cookman kept its playoff hopes alive by improving to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the MEAC, while the Aggies fell to 3-6 overall and 2-4 in the conference.
“I thought there were two plays that killed them,’’ said Bethune-Cookman head coach Alvin Wyatt. “If it’s not for the kickoff return and the score at the end of the half, you’re looking at a different ball game.”
The Aggies appeared ready to give the Wildcats a challenge. The Wildcats took a 10-0 lead early, but the Aggies fought back with a 10-play, 86-yard drive that ended with senior tight end Brian Johnson catching his first-career touchdown.
But on the ensuing kickoff, the lead kickoff return man in Division I-AA, Ricky Williams went 82 yards without being touched to extend the Wildcats lead back to 10.
“I thought we had a really good first half,’’ Johnson said. “I thought the second half was going to be a free for all.”
A shootout is what was starting to gear up. After a 33-yard field goal from Aggies kicker Joseph Arroyo, the Aggies tied the game on 28-yard touchdown from true freshman Michael Ferguson. But the Wildcats answers would prove devastating.
Russell led the Wildcats on a 32-second drive that went 76 yards in three plays to help the Wildcats regain the lead 23-17 after Jesus Cortez missed the extra point. On the Aggies next drive they were faced with a choice of whether to go for it on fourth down with ball at their own 43 with 32 seconds remaining in the first half, and the Wildcats possessed no timeouts.
The Aggies decided to punt and give the Wildcats the ball back with 24 seconds remaining in the first half. Again, the Wildcats struck quickly. A 42-yard run by Eric Weems set up a 38-yard touchdown pass from Russell to Weems in which Weems outran the Aggies secondary for the score and a 30-17 Wildcats lead.
“No, I didn’t think it was over after that,’’ said Russell. “North Carolina A&T is a good football team and we knew even though we had the momentum at halftime, they were still playing at home.”
However, things did get worse for the Aggies the rest of the night. After a first-half of 210 yards of total offense, the Aggies were only able to muster 85 yards of offense in the second half. Surprisingly, an Aggies defense that has played well all season was unable to stop the Wildcats option offense.
The Wildcats rushed for 387 yards and five rushing touchdowns. Russell finished the night 6-for-12 for 97 yards and a touchdown. But it was on the ground where the sophomore excelled. He had 10 carries for 84 yards. P.J. Smith added 91 yards on five carries and he scored once.
The Aggies were led by senior Brandon Trusty who had seven catches for 86 yards, and Brandon Sweeney ended the night with 93 yards on 18 carries.