Manuel eager to show what he's learned
Xavier Manuel has kept a watchful eye on Alabama A&M's offensive line the last two seasons.
A reserve center, Manuel has learned from the likes of Chris Franklin, Jeffery Johnson and Kristian Smith, fifth-year seniors a year ago, who helped the Bulldogs win the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship.
Now, Manuel says he and the rest of his line mates are ready to carry the torch.
Manuel will be one of the three new starters - left guard Russell Jackson and right guard Charles Meade are the other ones - when A&M visits Tennessee State in the season opener Saturday night.
"I learned a lot from watching those guys," Manuel said. "I learned through hard work you can accomplish anything. A lot of guys along the offensive line, when I came in, took a lot of leadership and carried us through until we got the hang of things.
"Now they're expecting us to do it. They set a standard and we don't want to disappoint them."Luke encouraged by offense: Despite having to replace six starters and a number of lettermen, quarterback Kelcy Luke says he is pleased with the Bulldogs' chances on offense.
A&M will have six first-time starters in the lineup Saturday night.
"We've had a good training camp," Luke said. "Our receivers have a different mentality right now. They're not just satisfied with catching the ball. They want to score all the time.
"(Offensive line) Coach (Cedric) Pearl is working the offensive line really hard and we've got a lot of talent at running back. I feel good about this offense."
Banks will return kickoffs: Ulysses Banks led the nation in kickoff returns last season, averaging a whopping 34.3 yards per return along with scoring a pair of touchdowns. He will line up as A&M's starting tailback against Tennessee State, but A&M coach Anthony Jones says Banks will continue to return kickoffs.
"Banks isn't a guy that takes a lot of head-on shots," Jones said. "He gets hit from behind or from the side. He's a smart runner and he knows how to avoid big hits."
Banks will be joined by running back Anthony Green, defensive back Frank Moore or wide receiver Quintin Carlock.
Moore, Thomas Harris and Carlock are A&M's top punt returners.
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