GREENSBORO, N.C., October 29, 2012 - D'Vonte Graham, the Aggies
exciting return specialist and cornerback, was named MEAC Special Teams Player
of the Week on Monday. Graham (5-9, 180,
JR, Tallahassee, Fla.) made one of the most pivotal plays in A&T's 30-9
homecoming win over Norfolk State on Saturday.
The Aggies
were sputtering after four first-half turnovers led to a 6-0 Spartans lead. NSU
field goal kicker Everett Goldberg lined up for his third attempt, a 47-yarder,
with a little more than nine minutes remaining in the second quarter. Goldberg's
kick was not as successful as his first two. Once in the air, the ball got
caught in the wind and fell into the hands of Graham, who was waiting for it eight
yards deep in the end zone.
Graham ran
about 30 yards before he even ran into any opposition. He remedied those
circumstances by knifing through a seam created by his blockers, cutting back
and weaving through traffic on his way to a 100-yard missed field goal return
for a touchdown. It was the first such return in A&T history.
Graham is
fifth in the nation and first in the MEAC in punt return average at 14.6 yards
per return. He has one punt return for touchdown this season, and he also
handles the Aggies kickoff returns.
As a defensive
back, he is just as vital. He is tied for the league-lead in interceptions with
four and ranks eighth nationally. Graham and the Aggies will host Florida
A&M, 1:30 p.m., Saturday, November 3 at Aggie Stadium.