It was story book ending for one CAA team and an awakening for others in Week 3 of the 2025 football season.
N.C. A&T made history in not only getting its first ever conference win in CAA competition since joining the league in 2023 but also its first victory over a Division One opponent since October of that same year.
The Aggies overcame a 10-point deficit to Hampton in the last 1:47 of the fourth quarter to force overtime. Then behind a 6-yard run by senior Wesley Graves, A&T went on to down the Pirates in a dramatic 33-30 double overtime win before 15,826 fans in Greensboro.
Stony Brook cracked the winner’s circle for the first time this season as graduate transfer Quarterback Chris Zellous (formerly of Hampton) generated 313 yards of offense and four touchdowns as Stony Brook blasted Fordham, 41-18.
FCS All-America quarterback Derek Robertson had a career day throwing the football with 410 yards and four touchdowns against FBS member Charlotte down in the Queen City, but it still wasn’t enough as the 49ers outlasted Monmouth 42-35 in an offensive shootout.
Quarterback Landen Clark accounted for 377 yards of offense and four touchdowns, including a game-winning 10-yard scoring run with 4:53 to play, as Elon picked up a big non-conference 37-31 victory at Western Carolina (SoCon).
Maine had to be kicking itself after it gave up game-winning 34-yard touchdown pass on a 4th-and-21 play late in the fourth quarter in a game they had dominated defensively and fell 13-10 to NEC member Stonehill.
Big 10 member Maryland was expected to steamroll Towson and the Terrapins did just that by jumping to a 41-0 lead and cleared the bench as they easily dispatched the Tigers 44-17.
Virginia jumped on William and Mary early and often as the ACC Cavaliers pounded the Tribe 55-16 in Charlottesville.
Campbell is going through a rough beginning with close losses on the road and the trend continued as a late last-minute drive came up 10 yards short as the Camels were edged 28-24 by Furman.
In perhaps the greatest last second comeback ever witnessed in Truist (Aggie Stadium) since it opened in 1981, N.C. A&T overcame a 10-point deficit in the last 1:38 of the fourth quarter to force not just one but 2 overtimes to defeat Hampton University 33-30 before 15,826 fans in its home opener last weekend.
Coach Shawn Gibbs not only gained his first ever victory as the new head coach of the Aggies, but it marked the end to a 12-game winless streak dating back to last year’s lone win against WSSU. It also was A&T’s first ever conference win in the CAA since it joined the league in 2023 and its first win against a D-1 opponent since beating Norfolk State on the road some two years ago.
The Aggies kept fighting, making play after play, including a quick strike 41-yard scoring pass from Noah Sanders to Jamison Warren and a perfectly executed onside kick by Andrew Brown and recovery by Aaron Harris. Brown then nailed a 32-yard FG to force the first overtime.
After trading TDs in the first extra period, the quickly improving A&T defense forced Hampton to settle for a long field goal on their second possession which set the stage for the capper.
The Aggies didn’t waste time trying to throw the ball. They simply lined it up and pounded Hampton with a crushing ground game behind a young but very large offensive line in just 4 plays with senior Wesley Graves taking it in from 6 yards out to seal the deal.
Even though the improbable outcome has been in the headline over the last week, the real story was that the Aggies, who would have packed it in in a similar situation a year ago, more than rose to the challenge and fought back with the confidence that the Aggie faithful had been hoping for since Gibbs took over the program in last December. This team refused to quit and kept playing with intensity and a sense of urgency that we had not seen in quite some time.
It’s a clear indication, even to the worst of cynics, that A&T is quickly regaining the mindset that made it dominant through the teens. They are learning how to persevere through adversity, how to keep their focus for 60 minutes and most importantly the belief that they can not only compete, but they can win if they continue to trust in each other.
Its A&T and NCCU this week and that is all that needs to be said. NCCU is 2-2 coming off a 49-19 win over Fayetteville State after dropping back-to-back games to New Hampshire at home (27-24) and FBS foe ODU (54-6) on the road.
To be truthful, there hasn’t been the traditional back and forth pregame vocal jabs between the two opposing camps this week. Usually there is a lot of chatter between the Aggies and the Eagles, but it has been eerily quiet.
In large part that has been the case because of the two head coaches and their long-standing friendship. Trei Oliver and Shawn Gibbs were not only teammates back in the 90’s at NCCU but also roommates as well. Oliver made his bones taking over a floundering NCCU program and now in his fifth year at his alma mater has won an HBCU National Championship (‘22) and MEAC title with a 37-21 career record.
Gibbs comes into this year in a very similar situation at A&T after turning around Fort Valley State in short order going 23-9 over 3 years so there is much respect between the two men. There is also a very intense competitive spirit between the two that is quite apparent. They both wear it with pride and conviction.
And while the long relationship between both head coaches and many of the assistants for both teams who have served at both schools is press worthy, it will inevitably come down to the players on the field. I don’t believe either team will “impose” their will on the other.
NCCU is coming in with a veteran high-powered offense led by QB Walker Harris and running back Chris Mosely and a quick defense that likes to get after the passer with DE Thomas Johnson and LB Max U’Ren.
A&T seemed to have found the right combination in overtime(s) its big offensive line in its win over Hampton. It got solid performances out Korion Sharpe, Jonathan Cannon, Sterling Wiggins, Andrew Dorsey and redshirt freshman Jodi Freeman. The Aggies will not only need them to get the run game going but to protect whoever is under center when it’s time to pass.
Defensively, A&T cannot allow Walker to get comfortable in the pocket. He’s too accurate of a passer that can really carve up a secondary if given time. Mosely is an NFL caliber prospect who is extremely explosive when he gets to the second level so sure tackling and help defense will be priority one for the front seven.
NCCU is the clear favorite, but A&T is a persistent hard-nosed group and will be looking to avenge last year’s 66-24 embarrassment in Durham. This one will be a nip and tuck affair and most likely won’t be decided until very late. Whomever can stay away from turnovers and penalties will decide this one.
The Aggies will be on home turf before a near capacity crowd, but the Eagles will have plenty of Maroon and Gray in the stands as well. I suggest everyone get there early to avoid the long lines at Truist and to take in the electric atmosphere. It’s going to be good one. A true Aggie-Eagle Classic for sure.
NCCU – 27
N.C. A&T – 24
