Aggies Rebound in Charleston

There is a reason why the windshield is bigger than the rear view mirror. Coming off of a crushing defeat at the hands of the Duke Blue Devils the Aggies looked to rebound as they made their way down to Charleston, SC to take on the Charleston Southern Buccaneers. They say what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger, and for the Aggies the loss to Duke was behind them and their attention was solely on the Buccaneers.

Coach Washington’s team entered this game as the number 17 ranked school in the FCS polls and would look to add another w in the win column. Fairly healthy the Aggies marched into Charleston at full strength for 2018 leading wide receiver Zach Leslie made his way back into the lineup last week, this week would be the anticipated return of star All-American cornerback Franklin “Mac” McCain, whose season was cut short due to a season ending knee injury.

This game would mark the last of the Aggies non conference schedule and start the beginning of a head to head series with Charleston Southern as the Buccaneers will make their way to Greensboro next season in 2020.

With redemption on their minds the Aggies would look to continue their streak against non conference opponents. As they have accumulated a record of (22-7) since 2012 which included 12 consecutive road wins.

For coach Denson and the Buccaneers they would be searching for their first win of the 2019 season after a pair of losses to Furman University and South Carolina. This matchup would be the sixth MEAC opponent for Charleston Southern.

The Aggies would win the game 27 to 21 in a thrilling come-from-behind fashion versus the Bucs. Fueled by by Junior running back Jah-Maine Martin who had himself a career day, as he rushed for 299 yards and two touchdowns to lead the way for the Aggies. Living up to their reputation as Running Back U Martin accomplished the third best single game rushing performance in the football program’s history.

After an impressive week versus the Blue Devils, Martin would once again be electrifying in this ball game. Breaking off for 84 and 76 yard touchdown runs. His 84-yard run is the fifth-best in school history tied with Tarik Cohen (2016) and Michael Basnight (1996)

With Martin’s incredible night and the impressive comeback it would overshadow another great accomplishment in school history. Senior wide receiver Elijah Bell who already became the record holder for most touchdown receptions in school history would reach another mark in this game. Bell became the Aggies all-time leading receiver in yards breaking a record Herbert Harbison had for more than three decades. Bell broke the record on a 42-yard reception from quarterback Kylil Carter. Bell now leads all Aggies with 2,347 career receiving yards and is now 11 receptions shy of becoming the school’s all time leader cementing his legacy as the greatest to ever suit up for the blue and gold.

Coach Washington and the Aggies will have the upcoming week off with a bye before facing their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opponent in Delaware State on Sept. 26 at BB&T Stadium as the continue their quest for another Celebration Bowl title. The game will be televised live on ESPNU and will kickoff at 7:30 p.m.