What a difference a week makes. Seven days after being humbled at Campbell to drop to 0-4, North Carolina A&T pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the FCS season, stunning nationally ranked Rhode Island 22-18 at home.
The Aggies did it with a defensive performance that repeatedly turned Rhode Island mistakes into points. A&T forced four turnovers, scored on a 69-yard fumble return by Tyrek Brown and survived a furious Rams comeback to earn its first victory of the season.
The Aggies were coming off a 42-14 loss at Campbell and were owners of an eight-game losing skid dating back to last fall. Rhode Island, which beat Elon 31-10 two weeks ago, held a No. 19 ranking in the FCS Stats Perform poll and a No. 21 standing in the AFCA coaches poll.
A&T built a 15-3 halftime lead behind three Asher Holland field goals and a 2-yard touchdown run by quarterback Kevin White.
Then came the game’s biggest play.
With 10:19 remaining in the third quarter, Brown recovered a Rhode Island fumble and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown, stretching the Aggies’ lead to 22-3. Those would be enough points to secure the upset.
Rhode Island responded, though, and nearly completed the comeback. Gabe Winowich scored on a 2-yard run later in the third quarter and Terrence Campbell’s 13-yard touchdown run pulled the Rams within 22-18 with 12:40 remaining.
A&T’s defense made the lead stand, though.
Rhode Island got one final opportunity from its own 20-yard line with 1:34 remaining and drove to the A&T 19, but the Aggies kept the Rams out of the end zone as time expired, earning their biggest win since joining the CAA in 2023.
By the Numbers
- 10: Pass breakups by the Aggies
- 4: Rhode Island turnovers
- 16: A&T points off turnovers
- 69: Yards on Tyrek Brown’s fumble-return touchdown
- 13: Tackles by Donavan. Frederick, including 10 solo stops, three tackles for loss and a sack
- 3: A&T sacks as a team
NC A&T Standouts
- Donavan Frederick, LB: Monster defensive game — 13 tackles, 10 solo, three tackles for loss, one sack, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.
- Tyrek Brown, LB: Made the game’s biggest play, returning a fumble 69 yards for a touchdown that gave A&T a 22-3 third-quarter lead. He also finished with six tackles and a pass breakup.
- Steven Davis II, CB: Seven tackles, five solo, an interception, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.
- Karon Blankumsee: Five solo tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.
- Asher Holland, K: Quietly huge. Holland made field goals from 41, 31 and 21 yards, accounting for 10 points despite missing the PAT after A&T’s first touchdown.
- Kevin White, QB: Didn’t have to carry the offense — 11-of-20 passing for 139 yards — but scored A&T’s only offensive touchdown on a 2-yard run.
