NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _Marcus Bryson scored the winning touchdown on a 15-yard pass from Jason Battle, and North Carolina shut down No. 1 Tennessee State's potent offense for a 24-10 upset in the opening round of the Div. I-AA playoffs Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers (11-1) had been averaging 455 yards per game and 37 points per game. But quarterback Chris Perkins played most of the game with a separated shoulder, and neither of his two replacements were effective.

Bryson made a circus catch in the end zone to snap a 10-10 tie early in the third quarter. He tipped Battle's pass up in the air, then caught it while he fell.

The Aggies (11-1) made it 24-10 when Courtney Collins blocked a punt by TSU's Seth Goodowens and Terrell Purkett recovered in the end zone. A&T got 80 yards on just six carries from fullback Maurice Smith, despite an injured ankle.

TSU's chance for a comeback ended when the Tigers failed to convert on a first-and-goal from the A&T 1 early in the fourth quarter. Avion Black provided TSU's only real offense with 172 yards on kickoff returns, including a 97-yard touchdown that put the Tigers up 10-3 at the beginning of the second quarter.

It was the second year in a row TSU lost in the opening round of the playoffs.