Post by Aggie One on Oct 11, 2007 21:36:14 GMT -5
Wanted - A Full 60 Minutes
by Craig R. Turner
bluedeathvalley.com
Last week for 35 minutes and 41 seconds, A&T was well within reach of its first football victory in nearly two years. But a missed defensive assignment on a zone trap proved to be the undoing of what had been an impressive toe to toe slug fest with a talented Morgan State team.
The Aggies 22-17 loss was the third real heartbreaker of a loss that could have easily been a win for a program that is being rebuilt literally from the ground up. A few things stayed in my mind after driving back home from another long business trip this week.
First , we can compete with all of the teams left on the 2007 schedule. Second we can beat the teams that at left on the 2007 schedule. Third, the A&T defense can keep the game within striking distance as long as they don’t have to stay on the field over and over again. And finally for that to happen and for A&T have chance at breaking the unholy streak, the offense cannot continue to constantly turn the ball over.
To win this season, the formula is as simple as looking in the mirror for the Aggies. Stop the turnovers and we’ll win. Continue the turnovers and the results of previous weeks will continue.
Close but no cigar.
***********************************************
This week Delaware State rolls into town with a single loss and unbeaten in the MEAC after dispatching Hampton a week ago in a mild upset on the road. The Hornets are a solid offensive
team that throws the ball well and mixes its plays well. Their secondary was impressive in its last outing and they have a lot of big hitters and decent depth. Coach Al Lavan who is now in his fourth year at DSU and has transformed the once doormat Hornets into the current king of hill in the MEAC.
On paper, DSU should handle the Aggies this week, but A&T has seemed to show up when they are decided underdogs. It will be a test to see how this team reacts after last week’s disappointment. Most A&T fans now know that the hurdle of being able to compete is being met. Now it’s a case of eliminating offensive errors, mental lapses and the big one - turnovers.
We are still waiting on that one.
****************************************************
Don’t look now, but junior tailback Michael Ferguson has quietly amassed 747 yards with a 7.1 yard average for a eye popping 124.5 yards per game average. If he stays healthy and keeps up this production, he could go over a 1,000 yards by the time homecoming rolls around the end of this month and would clearly place him in the running for All-conference and player of the year honors.
I know, know, his team is 0-6 this season and how in the world could I even suggest the idea.
On the field performance doesn’t lie. He’s not the fastest back nor the biggest or even the strongest. He just comes to play each and every week and makes things happen.
Sometimes a strong work ethic, fundamentals, and the pure the heart of a competitor trumps pure athletic talent. Now that I think about it, it does every time.
****************************************************
This Saturday is Fan Appreciation Day at A&T and admission is only $5, a give back to the loyalty of the Aggie nation which remains a leader among 1-AA programs in attendance despite having dropped 22 straight games. The weather forecast is to be sunny and a high of 70 with a crisp light northly breeze, perfect football weather by anyone’s standard.
Aggie fans have no real excuse for not showing up this weekend if they aren’t working. Every weekend is becoming the “will this be the one?” So clear you afternoon and come on out and show your support. So far, the fans have been good in their attendance, and it would be a shame to let it falter now with only two home games remaining.
I clearly remember back in 1970 watching the Aggies with my dad as a youngster (not telling my age) when A&T was still a member of the CIAA, a then 1-5 A&T team took on a fifth ranked nationally and undefeated D-II Virginia State team in old Memorial Stadium and pulled off the biggest upset of the season running two back to back double reverses that went for identical 60 yard touchdowns late in the fourth quarter and then putting up a incredible goal line stand in the final 30 seconds to come away with a 14-6 win. That victory gave A&T enough push to finish out strong at 4-6 for the year.
That’s why we play the games. You never know.
****************************************************
Prediction
Delaware State 31
N.C. A&T 20
by Craig R. Turner
bluedeathvalley.com
Last week for 35 minutes and 41 seconds, A&T was well within reach of its first football victory in nearly two years. But a missed defensive assignment on a zone trap proved to be the undoing of what had been an impressive toe to toe slug fest with a talented Morgan State team.
The Aggies 22-17 loss was the third real heartbreaker of a loss that could have easily been a win for a program that is being rebuilt literally from the ground up. A few things stayed in my mind after driving back home from another long business trip this week.
First , we can compete with all of the teams left on the 2007 schedule. Second we can beat the teams that at left on the 2007 schedule. Third, the A&T defense can keep the game within striking distance as long as they don’t have to stay on the field over and over again. And finally for that to happen and for A&T have chance at breaking the unholy streak, the offense cannot continue to constantly turn the ball over.
To win this season, the formula is as simple as looking in the mirror for the Aggies. Stop the turnovers and we’ll win. Continue the turnovers and the results of previous weeks will continue.
Close but no cigar.
***********************************************
This week Delaware State rolls into town with a single loss and unbeaten in the MEAC after dispatching Hampton a week ago in a mild upset on the road. The Hornets are a solid offensive
team that throws the ball well and mixes its plays well. Their secondary was impressive in its last outing and they have a lot of big hitters and decent depth. Coach Al Lavan who is now in his fourth year at DSU and has transformed the once doormat Hornets into the current king of hill in the MEAC.
On paper, DSU should handle the Aggies this week, but A&T has seemed to show up when they are decided underdogs. It will be a test to see how this team reacts after last week’s disappointment. Most A&T fans now know that the hurdle of being able to compete is being met. Now it’s a case of eliminating offensive errors, mental lapses and the big one - turnovers.
We are still waiting on that one.
****************************************************
Don’t look now, but junior tailback Michael Ferguson has quietly amassed 747 yards with a 7.1 yard average for a eye popping 124.5 yards per game average. If he stays healthy and keeps up this production, he could go over a 1,000 yards by the time homecoming rolls around the end of this month and would clearly place him in the running for All-conference and player of the year honors.
I know, know, his team is 0-6 this season and how in the world could I even suggest the idea.
On the field performance doesn’t lie. He’s not the fastest back nor the biggest or even the strongest. He just comes to play each and every week and makes things happen.
Sometimes a strong work ethic, fundamentals, and the pure the heart of a competitor trumps pure athletic talent. Now that I think about it, it does every time.
****************************************************
This Saturday is Fan Appreciation Day at A&T and admission is only $5, a give back to the loyalty of the Aggie nation which remains a leader among 1-AA programs in attendance despite having dropped 22 straight games. The weather forecast is to be sunny and a high of 70 with a crisp light northly breeze, perfect football weather by anyone’s standard.
Aggie fans have no real excuse for not showing up this weekend if they aren’t working. Every weekend is becoming the “will this be the one?” So clear you afternoon and come on out and show your support. So far, the fans have been good in their attendance, and it would be a shame to let it falter now with only two home games remaining.
I clearly remember back in 1970 watching the Aggies with my dad as a youngster (not telling my age) when A&T was still a member of the CIAA, a then 1-5 A&T team took on a fifth ranked nationally and undefeated D-II Virginia State team in old Memorial Stadium and pulled off the biggest upset of the season running two back to back double reverses that went for identical 60 yard touchdowns late in the fourth quarter and then putting up a incredible goal line stand in the final 30 seconds to come away with a 14-6 win. That victory gave A&T enough push to finish out strong at 4-6 for the year.
That’s why we play the games. You never know.
****************************************************
Prediction
Delaware State 31
N.C. A&T 20
