FAMU GW FIELD GOAL RIPS AGGIES HEARTS

If you can win as a team then you can easily lose as one. And after a game winning field goal by kicker Yahia Aly to go up 22-21 rips the heart of the Aggies and their fans they are now on top of the MEAC confrence.

There were 2 different ball games played on Saturday afternoon. The first half, and the second. The game started for the Aggies just like they wanted, with senior Wide Out returning the opening kickoff 100 yards. After the electric return it looks like the Aggies would get an easy W especially before half time with the Aggies were in full control of the game leading the FAMU Rattlers 21 to 6 after not one but two Zach Leslie receiving touchdowns. But the second half was a whole different story.

Play calling from the A&T offensive of coordinator has to be in question. All season the Aggies O haven’t lived up to its potential. The OC needs to answers some questions for always running the ball on 2 and long, predictable play calling, and the love of the screen pass.

But maybe the Offensive coordinator should get a break for not once but twice, A&T receivers had FAMU DB’s beat going long but they couldn’t make the grab, After Raynard and the offense scored 2 touchdowns in the first half, the offensive was completely shut out in the 2nd half. The running game was nonexistent all game with A&T as a team only rushing for 74 yards off 29 attempts. In the first half the defense was dominating with Darryl Johnson Jr and Sam blue piling up sacks and even forcing a Ryan Stanley interception by senior corner Timadre Abram. So, if the defense, coaching, offense nor special teams didn’t lose us the game than what did? Turnovers, penalties and 3rd down.

In the 2nd half the Aggies D got scorched on 3rd down as FAMU went 8 for 11, and 1 for 1 on fourth. Adjustments were obviously made on the FAMU sideline as the Aggies pass rush couldn’t get home to FAMU QB Kelly. The Aggies defense mad Ryan Stanley look like Ryan Fitzmagic as he threw for over 300 yards and a touchdown. FAMU had a whopping 20 first downs all in the 2nd half.

Penalties also destroyed A&T as they piled 13 turnovers for 131 yards. Penalties have been a problem for the Aggies all season long.

The game changed once Herman Jackson forces and recovers a Marquell Cartwright fumble for a 55 yard touchdown. Even after the blunder, the Aggies tacked on a score before the half to go ahead 21-6; but you never know when turnovers will come back to bite you and boy did they later.

Down 15 points coming out of halftime the Rattlers responded with a lengthy touchdown drive to bring the gap within 8. Three drives later FAMU scores again with a Chad Hunter reception for a 11-yard touchdown.

The Aggies fans began to get nervous, but still had confidence in the squad. A&T had the opportunity to run out the clock and seal the game with 3 minutes left. The drive looked promising with Cartwright running a first down. But the FAMU defensed stepped up and forced the Aggies to punt.

So, it’s one more drive for the FAMU Rattler. One last chance with 1:57 in the game remaining. Fans are biting their nails on their feet as FAMU begins to drive down the field. They need to get well within field goal range as for their kicker Yahia Aly missed two PATs earlier. After FAMU gets the to NCAT’s 38-yard line its only 21 seconds remaining. Things are getting tense. We can’t lose this game. The Aggies D begin to look like they will seal this game, but a huge 13 yard pass interference penalty and a 19 yard reception from Chad Hunter, all hope faded. FAMU gets the ball to the NCAT 9-yard line and with 4 seconds remaining Yahia Aly nails a 26 yard field goal.

There’s a lot of blame to go around for this loss. The offense folded after the half, the defense couldn’t get off the field to save their lives, and the coaching staff failed to adjust. But the biggest reason we lost this game just might be the play calling. A&T has so many weapons at receiver starting with Elijah Bell. As an offense you have to find a way to get that man a ball.

There were some bright spots from Saturday’s game however. The play of Zachary Leslie catching 8 passes for 140 yards and 2 TD’s gave the Aggies offense a pulse. And on the defensive side of the ball Darryl Johnson Jr sacked the QB twice. But a loss is a loss and there are no moral victories.

The Aggies look to bounce back next week as they go on the road to face Bethune Cookman, before they host homecoming at BB&T Stadium November 3rd vs Norfolk State.