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 Football Index Composite Schedule 
Newsroom Index |
Bethune-Cookman 13, North Carolina A&T 12(Greensboro, NC) - 11/2/02 - Late in the fourth quarter, Rashean Mathis caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from reserve quarterback Scott Austin, then ended the game with an interception to lead #10 Bethune-Cookman (9-0, 5-0 MEAC) to a 13-12 victory over N.C. A&T (3-6, 1-4) in Aggie Stadium. The victory kept the Wildcats undefeated on the season and put them one step closer to the MEAC championship. It also spoiled Senior Day for 11 Aggies who played for their last time in Aggie Stadium. Mathis ran a fly pattern against Aggie cornerback Curtis Deloatch and took the ball out of the defender's arms in the end zone, putting the visitors ahead with 1:13 left on the clock. The play capped off a 79-yard drive in which Austin completed seven of eight passes for 77 yards. Erik Lash set up the touchdown with a key 11- yard reception on fourth and five at the B-CC 40-yard line. On the ensuing Aggie possession, Mathis intercepted Marshall Glenn's pass, ending any hopes of an Aggie comeback. The pick was his 11th on the season, as he stands just one away from the NCAA single season record of 12. N.C. A&T appeared to have won the game after linebacker Doug Okorocha intercepted Austin on the previous possession and returned the ball 34 yards to the B-CC 23 yard line with 6:25 to play. However, a 17-yard run by Jamal Jones was called back by a clipping penalty, one of 12 infractions on the day committed by the Aggies. The penalty put the ball back on the B-CC 37, and the Aggies had to settle for a missed 40-yard field goal attempt by Pat Simcox, setting the stage for B-CC's winning drive. D'Brian Hudgins got the Aggies on the scoreboard first, rushing for a 10-yard TD with 1:14 left in the first quarter, putting the home team up, 6-0. Simcox's extra point hit the left upright and landed on the field. B-CC third-string quarterback Lawrence McCloud, subbing in for the injured Allen Suber, tossed a two-yard scoring pass to Lash with just 2:31 to go until halftime. Danny King's extra point put the Wildcats up 7-6 at halftime. Hudgins struck again in the fourth quarter, scoring on a 15-yard draw play. Glenn's two-point conversion pass was broken up, giving the Wildcats an opportunity to win the game. Bethune-Cookman outgained N.C. A&T, 385-226, and held the ball
for 39:13. The Wildcats committed nine penalties for 74 yards, which
hindered several offensive drives. N.C. A&T recorded only 11 first
downs and were held to three of 11 on third downs. Hudgins rushed for 51 yards on 15 carries to lead the Aggie ground game, which netted only 59 yards. Glenn, in his first start, completed 14 of 31 passes for 167 yards and an interception. Jamal Muhammad led the B-CC defense with nine tackles and a fumble recovery. Mathis added seven tackles and defended two passes. Tor-El Robinson also made seven tackles and broke up two passes. Vereese Utley, Ivan Butler, and Okorocha each recorded eight tackles
for N.C. A&T. Montrail Pittman made six tackles, broke up four passes,
and added an interception in his final home game.
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