Turnovers: the gift that keeps on giving

by Craig R. Turner
bluedeathvalley.com
Sept. 20, 2008



Last week A&T was a serious victim of Murphy’s Law through almost the entire first half against Norfolk State and dug itself into a hole that proved to be costly. Bad snaps and fumbles in the opponent’s red zone and deep in their own territory was just too much for the Aggies to overcome, despite a late comeback effort, in a 27-21 loss to the Spartans on the road.

After the Aggies gave up 17 unearned points in the first half and had starting quarterback Herbert Miller knocked silly, the coaching brain trust inserted junior college transfer Carlton Fears. He went 7-for-9 for 72 yards and a touchdown in the third quarter and also helped the team discover a vertical passing game that finally got the A&T offense moving before a downburst of rain, a stingy NSU defense and a gusty fourth down call sealed the Aggies' fate with a minute and half left in the game.

A&T is a vastly improved team this season but still has not arrived to the point that it can overcome unforced turnovers against quality teams. Holding on to the football is the one thing you must do in order to win and that is one thing that the Aggies failed to do last week.

But even through five turnovers that should have resulted in a blowout, they showed a lot of fortitude in fighting back and Coach Lee Fobbs and his staff made the necessary halftime adjustments to hold a very potent Norfolk to team to a field goal in the second half while tacking up two scores to make it a tossup going into the final stanza.

So A&T will once again head back up Highway 64 again this week to face powerhouse Hampton, a team that easily has the best skilled and most explosive offensive personnel in the MEAC. So what does A&T have to do to pull the upset and regain momentum before hitting the midpoint in the season?

Here’s the recipe. First, the Aggies must hold their own in the special teams’ battle. Hampton is a monster in returning kickoffs and punts so the coverage teams have got to be on the game big time to by not giving up big plays in the kicking game to returners Kevin Teel, Jeremy Gilchrist, and Justin Garrett and protect punter Lee Woodward.

Second, the offensive line must pass protect and pick up the blitz from a defense that loves to come with a variety of stunts and delayed pass rushes off the corners. A&T’s offensive line will be starting only one senior, two red shirt freshmen and two true freshmen and they will have to perform beyond their years against an experienced and senior dominated defense.

Third, A&T must be able to establish its passing game early. Yes I said the passing game first. Michael Ferguson is near or at the top among running backs and yards per carry (6.7) and averaging over 100 yards per game this season. He will certainly draw double attention from the strong safety and the rover linebacker in the Pirates defensive backfield.

Fears will be making his very first start under center and he will have to be patient, keep his enthusiasm in check and not panic. He must also hit the open intermediate underneath passes early in order to stop Hampton’s defenders from cheating up the line and to make them play honest.

Dione McNair should be available this week after nursing a bad ankle and hopefully that will give the Aggies the double backfield set they need to give themselves a lot more options in medium yardage situations. This will ensure that the screens and draw plays won’t become the only play calls that John McKenzie’s offense can turn to when pressure is applied.

Defensively, A&T is facing an offense that has as much speed as a turbo charged Lamborghini. None of the defensive backs can be left on an island with this group of wide outs one on one, and the front seven must contain running backs Lamarcus Coker and Dennis Mathis.

The Aggies must account for receiver Kevin Teel on every single play and bring pressure on quarterback Herbert Bynes who blistered Howard in the second half for 253 yards and two touchdowns but looked only mediocre against Jackson State in the opener when under duress.

Hampton, despite looking more like a pro team in both size and speed, can be scored on as Howard found out in the first half jumping out to a big lead in their 38-27 loss. However, the Bison never accounted for Teel who had 14 receptions for 207 yards and that was the real true killer for the Bison when they gave up 38 straight points in the second half.

So that’s it in a nutshell. Account for your assignment, really communicate among each other and play four full quarters of physical football. Most importantly, do not put the ball on the ground and avoid interceptions. If the Aggies can do that and generate some long drives and punch it in the red zone and this can really be a barn-burner.

If they don’t then this can get real ugly real quick. I think they can hang for a good bit of this game but Hampton may have too much talent and depth in the end.

But I’ve been wrong before so let’s hope I’m wrong again.


PREDICTION

Hampton 31

N.C. A&T 21