GREENSBORO, N.C. — North Carolina A&T showed why it’s one of the top Football Championship Subdivision teams in the nation, rolling past Delaware State 44-3 in a MEAC contest on homecoming Saturday at Aggie Stadium.

NCA&T, ranked 12th in the most recent ESPN FCS Coaches poll and 16th in the Stats, Inc. Media poll, improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the MEAC this season. The Hornets fell to 0-3, 0-5.

Quarterback Lamar Raynard completed 20-of-26 passes for 324 and three touchdowns, while wide receiver Elijah Bell caught nine balls for 178 yards and a score to lead the Aggies.

The North Carolina A&T defense contributed to the win by holding the Hornets to 128 total yards, including minus-38 on the ground. The Aggies recorded eight sacks for 41 yards to impact DSU’s rushing total.

Delaware State freshman quarterback Jack McDaniel’s completed 11 of his 15 pass attempts (73.3%) for 83 yards. North Carolina native Keenan Black (so.) also appeared at quarterback for the Hornets, connecting on 7-of-17 passes for 83 yards.

DSU Wide receiver Taronn Selby (jr.) had career-highs of seven catches for 84 yards.

The contest was scoreless for most of the first quarter until the Aggies scored 16 points on two touchdowns and a safety in 35 seconds late in the quarter.

NCA&T led 16-0 when Wisdom Nzidee (sr.) nailed a career-best 47 yard field goal early in the second quarter to get the Hornets on the board. Nzidee is perfect on five field goal attempts this season to lead all FCS kickers (1.000 pct).

The Aggies answered with 12 and 10-yard touchdown passes by Raynard before halftime to hold a 30-3 lead at the break.

Raynard and Bell hooked up on a 61-yard scoring pass in the third quarter to stretch the NCA&T lead to 37-3.

Delaware State’s Brycen Alleyne (jr.) had a season-best 56-yard kickoff return in the first quarter.

Hornet punter Fidel Romo-Martinez (so.) averaged 47.6 yards on nine kicks in the game, including a season-long 62 yard boot, and four that landed inside the Aggie 20-yard line. Romo-Martinez was second among all FCS punters with a 45.1 yard average entering the weekend.

Delaware State returns to action next Saturday in the annual homecoming game against Howard (2-3; 1-1 MEAC). Game time is 2 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.