Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Alabama A&M University football notebook


Reggie Benson, Huntsville Times

Luke continues to impress Jones

After leading Alabama A&M to back-to-back appearances in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game, quarterback Kelcy Luke continues to impress coach Anthony Jones.

The Bulldogs, who are trying to replace seven starters from last year's offense, looked terrific in limited work in Tuesday night's scrimmage and Jones gave all the credit to Luke, was 6-of-7 for 86 yards and a touchdown.

"To me, that's what a veteran quarterback will do for you," Jones said of Luke. "If you put some people around him that he has a chance to make better ... that's what he does."

Atkins is impressive: Redshirt freshman Kevin Atkins may have made a push Tuesday night to back up starting quarterback Kelcy Luke.

Unofficially, Atkins was 8-of-13 for 156 yards and a touchdown. Atkins' touchdown was a 54-yarder to Rashad Johnson.

Stanley Allen, who came on last December to help A&M rally to beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the SWAC championship game, was 5-of-15 for 118 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Receivers starting to come around: Jones entered preseason practice concerned about A&M's lack of quality wide receivers. There didn't appear to be a concern Tuesday night.

Six receivers caught passes in the 75-play scrimmage.

Nate Baxter finished with three catches for 67 yards, while Rashad Johnson had two catches for 84 yards and a 54-yard touchdown reception from Kevin Atkins. Anthony Mitchell had two catches for 43 yards and Darryl Williams had two catches for 14 yards. Gerald Stockdale had one catch for 82 yards and a touchdown, while Paul Kellum had one catch for nine yards.

"When I got here I told Coach Jones that I was going to change the attitude of the receivers," receivers coach Roger Totten said. "I'm trying to instill in the guys that when the ball is thrown, it's your football and after you catch it, think about scoring. The guys have caught on to that and so far it's been working."

Luke has taken notice: "All of our receivers are young except Thomas (Harris), Gerald and Anthony," he said. "Those guys have been working hard. They're hungry. They've heard they're the weakest part of the team and they're out to prove that's not the case."

Sitting out: Six players, including four probable starters, missed Tuesday night's scrimmage. Tight end Charles Moody (groin), defensive back Stephan Tucker (ankle), wide receiver Thomas Harris (thumb) and place-kicker Jeremy Licea (quad), all probably starters, were held out of the scrimmage. Backup offensive lineman Antonio Regist (foot) and backup free safety Kentavious Huguley (groin) were also held out.

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