Avoiding an emotional letdown after its dramatic overtime win over Hampton will not be an issue for North Carolina A&T this week.
The Aggies head into their annual rivalry game with North Carolina Central, a matchup with deep connections on both sides.
Aggies head coach Shawn Gibbs, who played with current North Carolina Central coach Trei Oliver in college, has many ties, including coaching staff members and former players together.
Gibbs, the first-year N.C. A&T coach described the rivalry as heated, with bragging rights coveted year-round.
“Sometimes when you win a game like that, it’s hard to get motivated the next week. This week it’s not the case,” he said. “We have no time to really reflect on that (win over Hampton). It’s time to go back to work.”
Both teams will meet on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Greensboro.
Looking ahead, Gibbs expects a tough test: “They’re a good football team,” he said of NC Central, which beat the Aggies 66-24 last season in one of the most lopsided outcomes in series history.
Despite not being part of the program last season, Gibbs is mindful of that and wants to reverse roles come Saturday.
“We’re playing our biggest rival… they embarrassed us last year with 66 points,” he said. “So we’re excited about it and can’t wait.”
