Aggies coach Alonzo Lee impact is being being felt at both North Carolina A&T and Morgan State. The Aggies are 3-0 (including DSU Hornets forfeit) and Morgan State's defense is missing in action, after yesterday rout at Akron.
Penalties, goal-line stand by NC A&T drops NSU to 1-1
GREENSBORO, NC--Pete Adrian had been a thorn in North Carolina A&T's side since coming to Norfolk State five seasons ago. Alonzo Lee didn't take long to return the favor. The first-year coach promised a new Aggie attitude, and his quickly-improved team delivered Saturday night, sending NSU to a 17-13 defeat in its MEAC opener. Adrian's Spartans had won three straight in the series, and appeared to be on firmer footing heading into the game, with a veteran squad that has designs on contending for a MEAC title. North Carolina A&T, 3-9 last year, was picked eighth.
"It shows that we can't take any team for granted," NSU tailback DeAngelo Branche said. Norfolk State (1-1, 0-1 MEAC) also demonstrated it can't commit 10 penalties and fail to finish drives. The Spartans had first and goal at the A&T 6 early in the fourth quarter but failed to get the ball in on four straight running plays. Later, NSU moved to the A&T 31 before turning the ball over on downs. "You can't get shut out in the second half and think you're going to win the game," Adrian said.
Aggies regroup for win vs. Norfolk State
GREENSBORO -- Alonzo Lee had been waiting for the situation N.C. A&T faced Saturday night. The first-year head coach watched the Aggies slip behind by 10 points just seconds into the second quarter at Aggie Stadium. The offense was struggling to sustain drives, and Norfolk State had marched steadily for touchdowns on two of their first three possessions. The game seemed to be slipping out of hand, but Lee saw an educational opportunity.
"I wanted to be in that situation where this weekend we can show that we can fight, we can come back," Lee said. "They came and they ran the ball down our throat. And that's what I told the guys. Men, they ran the ball down your throat. The test of a true man is when your back is against the wall." The Aggies passed that test during the final three quarters, riding momentum-swinging defensive plays and key offensive performances to a 17-13 win over the Spartans.
Aggies RB Tony Coles leaves NSU defense grasping for air.
FANS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN AGGIES VICTORY
GREENSBORO – North Carolina A&T head football coach Alonzo Lee and the Aggies made their debut at home in front of 14,338 fans Saturday at Aggie Stadium under the klieg lights. Those same fans assisted the Aggies in punching Norfolk State’s lights out in a 17-13 win. Perhaps the new head coach’s influence extends beyond the 2-0 football team. Whenever he speaks, whether it is in front of alumni, his team or the media, there always seems to be an extra gear he goes into that makes people – old and young – wish they could suit up too. It is hard to match Lee’s enthusiasm. But the people wearing the sea of gold at Aggie Stadium Saturday night sure tried.
In fact, Aggie fans acted as if they had heard a coach Lee pregame speech. The fan participation didn’t go unnoticed. “We knew this wasn’t going to be an easy game for us,’’ said Norfolk State head coach Pete Adrian. “We knew they were going to be a fired up football team after last week. You add that to having to come in here and play in this atmosphere with this crowd noise, and we had a tough task ahead of us.” A smile came to sophomore running back Mike Mayhew’s face when asked about playing his first game in Aggie Stadium.
“It was unbelievable,’’ Mayhew said as he leaned forward with a big grin on his face. “To play in your first college game at an HBCU with the crowd, the band and the excitement, it’s what you live for.”
Attendance: 14,338 @ Aggies Stadium, Greensboro, N.C.
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