North Carolina A&T‘s first win of the 2026 football season came at the expense of a top 20 FCS team.
Sophomore linebacker Tyrek Brown returned a fumble 69 yards for a touchdown that proved to be just enough insurance as the Aggies upset No. 19 Rhode Island 22-18 Saturday, improving A&T’s record to 1-4 overall and 1-1 in CAA play.
A&T led wire-to-wire, starting with freshman kicker Asher Holland’s 41-yard field goal with 3:07 left in the first quarter.
Early in the second quarter, quarterback K.J. White rushed for the Aggies’ only offensive touchdown from two yards out. Holland added field goals of 31 and 21 yards for a 15-3 North Carolina A&T lead at the half.
Five minutes into the third quarter, Brown picked up a Rhode Island fumble and rumbled 69 yards to paydirt for A&T’s final score.
Rhode Island made it interesting late with a 13-yard touchdown by running back Terrence Campbell with just under 3 minutes to go.
The Rams got the ball back and advanced to the Aggie 19-yard line, but time expired before URI could get off another play.
The win snaps an eight-game losing streak for North Carolina A&T that spanned the last four games of 2025 and this year’s first four games. A&T’s previous win was a 28-24 victory over Campbell Oct. 25, 2025.
