Ice in his veins

It’s not about how you start, it’s about how you finish. For Noel Ruiz that was the case Saturday as he delivered in the clutch for the Aggies, nailing a 52-yard game winning field goal against Elon to secure the Aggies first victory of the season. Earlier in the game Ruiz missed two field goal attempts in the fourth quarter from 46 and 41 yards, but nailed his final attempt when the game was on the line and propelled the Aggies to a victory with the final score being 24 to 21.

The “Battle for the 336” was every bit of exciting as this game was back and forth and filled with plenty of excitement in front of the home crowd of 16,000 people, one of the largest first game attendance ratings in school history. The Aggies definitely had a tough matchup on their hands taking on the number 21 ranked Elon University.

It was a scoreless first quarter until the Phoenix got things started off by putting up the first points on the board by a five yard rushing touchdown from De’Sean McNair to close out the first quarter.

After that though the Aggies turned it up and got it going in the second quarter. As they capped off a good drive which was sparked by a big run by running back Kashon Baker. Then a connection between quarterback Kylil Carter to Elijah Bell, which would set them up for a goal line touchdown finished off by running back Jah-Maine Martin with a 1-yard rushing TD to tie up the game.

Following that Elijah Bell cemented himself in the history books as he and quarterback Kylil Carter connected on a back shoulder fade that Bell caught one handed while being heavenly defended to take the lead 14 to 7 right before halftime. The touchdown solidified Bell as NC A&T’s all-time leader in touchdown receptions.

Elon wasn’t going back to Burlington without a fight and wouldn’t back down. They came out in the second half firing out the gates with a 75-yard drive and tied the game back up with another rushing touchdown by De’Sean McNair.

However after a big stop to force an Aggie three and out the Phoenix came back with a costly mistake by touching a punt which was recovered by A&T, setting the Aggies up for another shot to take the lead.

Once the Aggies got the ball back they made the drive count as they marched down the field to recapture the lead. Kylil Carter connected on a 10-yard play action pass with tight end Quinzel Lockhart. To put the Aggies back up 21 to 14.

But once again the Phoenix would answer back late in the third quarter. As quarterback Davis Cheek dropped a 14-yard dime to Quartez Weeks for the Elon touchdown, to even the game back to 21 a piece going into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter the crowd in Greensboro witnessed a defensive showdown as both teams would be held scoreless. With one more chance to put together a game winning drive the Aggie defense would stop the Phoenix to force another three and out with under a minute to go. This would set up an Elon punt which was returned for 20-yards by Korey Banks to set up A&T for good field position.

With 5 seconds left to go the Aggies put the game in the hands of their special teams unit, and set up a 52 yard field goal which Noel Ruiz was able to drill through the uprights and seal the victory 24 to 21 to win the first game of the season and win the Battle of the 336.

Next week the Aggies will be on the road as they travel to Durham on September 6, to take on the Duke Blue Devils for their second game of the season. The Aggies will look to win their fourth consecutive game against an FBS opponent.