Broadway, NC A&T try for another big win

(STATS) - North Carolina A&T has had its fair share of memorable victories since Rod Broadway took over as coach in 2011. After another program-defining win last week, the Aggies will face back-to-back FBS opponents for the first time in school history when they visit Tulsa on Saturday.

North Carolina A&T improved to 2-0 last weekend with the program's first-ever win over an FBS team, a wild 39-36 upset of Kent State in four overtimes. The victory enabled the Aggies, who had dropped all three previous meetings with FBS teams by an average of 39.7 points, to jump five spots in the STATS FCS Top 25 to No. 18.

"This is big for the program, the athletics department and the school as a whole," Broadway said. "To do it in four overtimes is really something because I thought they would eventually wear us down because of their scholarship advantage."

North Carolina A&T displayed its own depth as third-string quarterback Oluwafemi Bamiro led the way. Broadway replaced starter Lamar Raynard after he threw two first-half interceptions, and Bamiro was forced into action after backup Kylil Carter left the game late in regulation with an injury.

Bamiro, a fifth-year senior, ran for a touchdown in the second overtime and threw for a score in the third OT. After Kent State kicked a field goal on the opening possession of the fourth overtime, Bamiro ended the game with a 15-yard TD pass to Denzel Keyes.

"We got down to our third guy and he stepped up for us," Broadway said. "You know what, we are surrounded by some pretty good players. Femi made enough good plays for us to win. We're going to take it and move on."

Broadway is 40-19 since taking over the Aggies, who went 1-10 in 2010 - the season before he was hired. He led North Carolina A&T to a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship in 2014, the school's first title in 11 years, and the Aggies again won the MEAC last season to give them back-to-back conference titles for the first time since 1991 and '92.

Broadway also led North Carolina A&T to a 24-21 road win over three-time FCS national champion Appalachian State in 2013 and a 41-34 victory over Alcorn State in the inaugural Celebration Bowl last year.

"We've got a great opponent in North Carolina A&T that's coming in here that were actually 10-2 last year and won the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl," Tulsa coach Philip Montgomery said. "Coach Broadway's done a great job with his program, and he has won a ton of games no matter where he's been. So, we've got our hands full this week."

Tulsa opened its season with a 45-10 win over San Jose State before being routed 48-3 last Saturday at Ohio State, which came in as the No. 4 team in the FBS.

The Golden Hurricane allowed the Buckeyes to rush for 268 yards, and they'll now try to contain North Carolina A&T star running back Tarik Cohen. The two-time MEAC offensive player of the year and All-American ran for 133 yards and a score and added nine catches for 125 yards against Kent State.

Cohen is the active FCS leader with 4,208 rushing yards and ranks fourth with 41 TDs on the ground.