It was almost like deja vu during the closing seconds of the 12th annual Aggie-Eagle Classic as the outcome of the game came down to a single point on Sept. 5 at Carter- Finley Stadium in Raleigh.

North Carolina Central University (2-0) came out on top winning 23-22 over North Carolina A&T State University (0-1). The Eagles escaped after a missed 43-yard field goal attempt by freshman kicker Joseph Arroyo.

“We placed a freshman in a very delicate situation,” head coach George Small said.

The Eagles lost last season on Carolos Davalos’ outstanding 50-yard field goal as time expired for a 16-15 Aggie victory in 2004. Dramatically, the tables turned the Eagles’ way this year, taking control of the game early in the first quarter scoring on a 1-yard reverse by former Aggie and senior wide receiver Brad Hinton to put them on the board 6-0 in seven plays for 31 yards with 7:49 remaining on the clock.

NCCU held on to the lead heading into the second quarter. After several possessions exchanged, the Eagles’ scored on a successful 32-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Brandon Gilbert for a 9-0 lead.

Senior quarterback Marshall Glenn connected on a 24-yard pass to freshman wide receiver Chad Dawson for a first down on the Eagles’ 46-yard line. Sophomore Curtis Walls caught a 14-yard pass from Glenn for another first down at the 32. The rest of the drive was carried on the back of junior running back Brandon Sweeney rushing for a total of 32 yards in four attempts ending on an 11-yard run for the touchdown in his debut as an Aggie to pinch the lead to 9-7.

The Aggies took some significant time off the clock with their last drive of the half consisting of 11 plays for 41-yards in 4:11 ending in a 32-yard field goal by Arroyo. The field goal gave them their first lead of the game at 10-9 with 43 seconds on the clock.

Obviously a rivalry, the game was filled with emotion; costly penalties were dished out to each team for unsportsmanlike conduct. In their final possession of the half, the Eagles came up short after several completed passes by senior quarterback Adrian Warren as time ran out. Also to end the half was the ejection of Hinton for his second unsportsmanlike foul.

Both teams struggled offensively as they remained scoreless in the third quarter exchanging punts and unconverted possessions. A&T broke down defensively as junior wide receiver Daunte’ Fields dodged two Aggies on a 45-yard touchdown reception from Warren. Warren connected to junior Julius McClellan for the two-point conversion to put the Eagles up 17-10 early in the fourth quarter in five plays for 82 yards.

After being stopped by the Eagles in their first possession of the fourth quarter, the Aggies’ sophomore defensive back Wilbert Johnson intercepted a pass by Warren for a 19-yard return to the NCCU 9-yard line. In three plays, Sweeney scored in three plays to bring the Aggies closer to the Eagle’s lead 17-16. Arroyo’s extra point attempt failed.

An illegal blocking penalty for 15-yards hurt the Eagles’ drive forcing them to punt, which led to a successful Aggie possession. The three-play drive began with two consecutive passes from Glenn to senior wide receiver Brandon Trusty for a total of eight yards.

A 26-yard run by Sweeney for a touchdown to end the drive in 59 seconds gave A&T their first lead of the half 22-17 and second of the game. The Aggies went for the two-point conversion and failed on a pass attempt by Glenn.

NCCU rallied in their next possession with Warren completing three out of four passes. A 46-yard reception by senior wide receiver Torey Ross was the final touchdown of the game for both teams. The drive was converted in seven plays for 77 yards in 2:27 with 2:47 remaining. The two-point rush attempt failed as the Eagles lead 23-22.

In the Aggies’ attempt to come back and win the game in the final minutes of the game Glenn completed three of four passes; Trusty for seven yards and Walls for 21 and 10-yards. They later went to the ground with Sweeney gaining little yardage. After back-to-back timeouts called by the Eagles, Arroyo’s 43-yard field goal attempt went shy of the middle of the goal posts, while the harsh reality settled as the clock ran out and the game came to an end.

The Aggies were led by Sweeney, who ran for 150 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries, and three receptions for 22 yards.

“I wish that we could have had the victory to go along with Sweeney’s debut,” Small said.

Glenn completed 12 passes in 23 attempts with no interception for 112 yards. Defensive back Theron Thomas had a game-high 11 tackles, including a hit for a loss of yardage. Johnson received the defensive MVP for A&T recording seven tackles and five passes defended, and an interception that led to a touchdown.

For the Eagles, Ross finished with seven catches for 104 yards. Warren connected on 19-of-38 pass attempts for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Junior running back Greg Pruitt, Jr. rushed for 130 yards on 30 attempts averaging 5.7 yards per carry and claimed the offensive MVP. NCCU accumulated 400 yards of total offense compared to A&T’s 278 yards. Defensive back, Derrick Ray received the Eagles’ defensive MVP honors with eight tackles and a quarterback hurry. Sophomore linebackers Andre’ Cannon and Tiquan Collins each contributed with six tackles.

Small said that the biggest letdown at this point would have to be the team’s defensive play. He said that the Aggies showed a lot of hustle and desire, but mentally, there were too many mistakes.

“I knew of the caliber of players they have on their team and we expected that type of game,” he said.

The Aggies face the Spartans of Norfolk State University on Sept. 10 at Aggie Stadium at 1:30 p.m.

• Michael V. Stanley