KEYES LEAD AGGIES PAST RATTLERS, TAKES TOP SPOT IN MEAC

A late scoring surge from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University gave the Aggies a 40-21 Mid-Eastern Conference victory against Florida A&M Saturday at the Aggie Stadium.

This win put the Aggies (7-2, 4-1 MEAC) in sole possession of first place in the MEAC with three games remaining on the schedule. This was the first time the Rattlers (2-6, 2-2 MEAC) have visited the Aggies for homecoming in 13 years.

The Aggies have not had much success against Florida A&M. This win against the Rattlers tied the longest winning streak the Aggies have ever had against FAMU. The Rattlers have now lost three straight to N.C. A&T.

Under the direction of Coach Rod Broadway, the Aggies hold a half fame lead over Bethune-Cookman, S.C. State, Norfolk State, Morgan State and N.C. Central. They have also improved to 4-0 in homecoming games.

The Aggies currently lead the conference in turnover margin and lead the nation in interceptions. They also lead the nation in turnovers gained (26). N.C. A&T’s defense has scored two touchdowns this season.

N.C. A&T scored 17 unanswered points to build a 17-7 lead with 8:20 in the second quarter after quarterback Kwashaun Quick tossed a three-yard strike to sophomore wide receiver Denzel Keyes to tie the game at 7-7 late in the first. It was followed by a 28-yard field goal by Cody Jones and a one-yard run by Marquis Cartwright in the second quarter.

Quick was back in his first game after missing three weeks with a knee injury. Quick sparked N.C. A&T’s offense with 62 yards rushing, and three touchdowns on 16-for-26 passing and threw for 233 yards. Three of Quick’s passes went to Keyes.

On a 2nd-and-4th from the Aggies 27-yard line, Keyes saw the corner come up on Quick’s throwing motion. He ran downfield; Quick spotted Keyes and connected with him for a 73-yard touchdown. This gave the Aggies a 27-14 lead with 8:27 left in the third quarter.

“I just want to thank God that he gave me and the team the ability and strength to make those plays and win the game,” said Keyes.

Keyes is also a forward for the Aggies Men’s Basketball team. Keyes used his 6-4 frame to go over the Rattlers 6 foot defensive back Devonte Johnson to end the third quarter with a 21-yard touchdown reception to give the Aggies a 33-14 lead. Keyes led all receivers with five catches for 129 yards and three TD’s for N.C. A&T.

“Denzel made some big plays for us. We are really developing as a football team. He is really a weapon out there on the edge and we are excited about that,” said Head Coach Rod Broadway.

The Aggies were helped by senior kicker Jose Garcia-Camacho as his kickoff was perfectly placed at the FAMU 24th. A play from running back Marlowe Wood and wide receiver Desmond Lawrence gave N.C. A&T a 1st-and-10. It was then followed by a 21-yard gain on a reverse. Sophomore Cohen ended the drive with a 3-yard TD run to open the fourth quarter.

The Aggies will have a week off before playing their final home game of the season against MEAC championship contender Morgan State on Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. at Aggie Stadium.

— Email Janay at jlboone@
aggies.ncat.edu and follow her on Twitter @Ayo_IsThatBoone