North Carolina A&T ended a couple of infamous streaks Saturday night on the gridiron.
Thanks to senior running back Wesley Graves’ 5-yard touchdown run in double overtime, the Aggies ended a 12-game losing streak by defeating Hampton 33-30, giving new head coach Shawn Gibbs his first win.
The victory was also North Carolina A&T’s first over an NCAA Division I opponent since a 28-26 decision over Norfolk State Sept. 30, 2023.
Hampton (1-2, 0-1 CAA) took a 20-10 lead on a Brett Starling 33-yard field goal less than five minutes into the fourth quarter.
The lead held up for nine minutes before A&T rallied late. Quarterback Noah Sanders flicked a 41-yard touchdown pass to Jamison Warren to bring the Aggies (1-2, 1-0 CAA) within 20-17 with 57 seconds left.
North Carolina A&T recovered an onside kick, and with 19 seconds left in regulation, Andrew Brown booted a 37-yard field goal to send the game into overtime.
Sanders started the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown scamper for a 27-20 Aggie lead, then the Pirates countered with Isaiah Freeman throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Khaoiz Watford.
Starling started the second overtime with another 33-yard field goal to give Hampton a 30-27 advantage, but North Carolina A&T won when Graves (18 carries, 87 yards) bullied his way into the end zone.
