DURHAM, N.C. – The 90th gridiron meeting between the rival Eagles and Aggies resulted in the series' most lopsided outcome in 27 years, as nationally-ranked North Carolina A&T State University blanked North Carolina Central University 45-0 in front of a capacity crowd at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium on Saturday.
 
NC A&T (9-2, 6-1 MEAC), the fifth-best total defense and third-best run defense in NCAA Division I-FCS, amassed 539 yards of total offense and held the Eagles to just 41 total yards, including negative-21 yards rushing.
 
The visiting Aggies got off to a quick start with two first quarter touchdowns. One was a touchdown pass from quarterback Lamar Raynard to receiver Elijah Bell. The other was a rush by Marquell Cartwright.
 
The Aggies offense continued its success adding another touchdown on the ground by Jah-Maine Martin and field goal by Noel Ruiz before the intermission.
 
The second half was no different than the first, with NC A&T continuing to add points and the Eagles offense struggling to move the ball. NCCU finished the contest with just five first downs compared to 26 by the Aggies.
 
The Eagle defense was led by defensive back Deonta Fair with nine tackles and one for a loss. NCCU senior linebacker King Kiaku contributed eight tackles.
 
For the NCCU offense, quarterback Naiil Ramadan finished the game passing 7-for-17 and 45 yards.
 
Cartwright posted 110 rushing yards and two scores. Raynard ended the contest passing for 257 yards and two touchdowns, completing 16 out of 23 attempts. Raynard's main target was Bell, who finished the game with 10 receptions for 122 yards and two scores.
 
NCCU (4-6, 2-4 MEAC) looks to end the season on a high note next week (Nov. 24) at South Carolina State. With Bethune-Cookman defeating Florida A&M in the Florida Classic on Saturday, NC A&T wins the conference championship and earns the Aggies' third trip to the Celebration Bowl.