North Carolina A&T is poised to post its second win of the season this weekend against Virginia University-Lynchburg (VUL), a young fledging football program trying to qualify for NCAA Division II membership at the end of this season and hoping to replace the now defunct St. Paul’s College in the CIAA Northern Division within the next few years. Currently, the Dragons are members of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association.
Let’s be honest, VUL is on a par with West Virginia State in terms of team matchups when it comes to North Carolina A&T. Individually, VUL has a lot more talent than WVSU but being only the second year of competition and a roster that is fully stocked with transfers from either D-1 or FCS programs do make them a somewhat intriguing opponent for an improved A&T team.
So far, their biggest problem has been their inability to execute properly on special teams giving up three punt returns and 206 yards and three more touchdowns on the ground in a 57-6 loss to Ohio Dominican in their opener.
This game will give the Aggies another “preseason test” as they will go into a bye week before their national TV appearance at home against Morgan State on ESPNU.
To be fair to the Dragons, they stayed in the ball game at halftime in the first modern day meeting between these two schools a year ago trailing only 10-0 at halftime before eventually falling 42-10. If you are expecting the same scenario, don’t.
A&T worked out a lot of kinks last week by getting most of their missing pieces back from the CCU game and they clearly showed their superiority in rolling up a school record 77 points, nearly 500 yards in total offense, while only allowing 41 total yards on defense.
Now, while VUL has more size and speed, there is a clear and distinct difference between the progression of the two football teams both on the field and on the sidelines. This game will be more competitive early on than last week’s game but the final outcome again is still inevitable even to the untrained eye.
Some A&T fans have openly grumbled about the quality of opponents during this first home stretch and have questioned whether these games will be beneficial down the road once MEAC competition begins.
Rod Broadway did manage to give many of his reserves a lot of valuable playing time last week. Another bit of good news is senior wide out Torrian Warren will be back this week at full speed and just in time to get some much needed playing time after missing most of the last year with nagging injuries.
Expect A&T to do its best to rip the Dragons early and often, while cutting down on the turnovers like three lost fumbles, and limiting costly penalties that caused three touchdowns to be called back including a brilliant 70-yard punt return cornerback and return specialist D’Vonte Graham.
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The Aggies didn’t watch any film last week and probably won’t watching any this week. The real battle will be the Aggies battling against themselves – to stay healthy, to keep their edge, not to become sloppy, and again do what a superior football team is supposed to do which slam the door on a reeling opponent.
The one big thing A&T did not do in three ball games in particular last year was to put the nail in the coffin in three games against Norfolk, Howard, and FAMU. The development of nurturing a killer instinct and leaving easy points on the field can never be emphasized enough and never be discounted.
I don’t think you’ll find too many people who are going to whine about a win given how far this program was down just two years ago. Winning is contagious and is a confidence builder. Now is as good time as any for the Aggies to catch that virus and get terminal with it.
PREDICTION
N.C. A&T – 52
VUL – 6
