Quarterback still trying to win over SWAC coaches
Roger Totten always thought Alabama A&M's Kelcy Luke was a good quarterback. He had watched him the last three years as an assistant coach at Mississippi Valley State.
But it wasn't until he became A&M's receivers coach last month that he really began to appreciate Luke.
"I knew he was good, but I didn't know he was this good," Totten said. "I didn't know he could throw the ball like he can. He really has a nice ball. He's smiling in practice because he believes he's going to throw the ball more."
Luke has certainly done well with the Bulldogs, especially during the last two seasons.
Photo: Kelcy Luke and Head Coach Anthony Jones, AAMU
When he left Auburn following the 2003 season, Luke chose A&M over Tennessee State. Since an injury-riddled and less-than-impressive redshirt freshman year in 2004, Luke has blossomed."Coming here has been a blessing," said Luke, who said he would likely be a receiver or defensive back if had he stayed at Auburn.
Luke threw for 2,000-plus yards and 13 touchdowns - while rushing for more than 500 yards and eight scores - as A&M reached the SWAC championship game in 2005. Last season he threw for 16 touchdowns, rushed for more than 400 yards and scored eight times as the Bulldogs won their first SWAC championship.
Despite his stats and A&M's 18-6 record over the last two years, Luke has been left off the All-SWAC teams.
Last year, UAPB quarterback Chris Wallace was named first-team All-SWAC. Grambling's Brandon Landers was named to the second team, although his team went 3-8.
"I just think they're looking at stats," Luke said. "They're not concerned with a quarterback being a leader and a team player. One thing about the Heisman Trophy is you can't win it with a losing record because it shows you're not leading your team to victories.
"To win the Heisman, you have to win games, not just put up numbers. The SWAC seems to go a lot on numbers."
Last month at the league's annual media day in Birmingham, it was believed Luke would be named to one of the preseason teams. Again, his name was left off the list.
Wallace was named first team and Landers was named second team. After the teams were announced during the luncheon, Luke walked out.
"When I got there and it didn't happen, it stung me a little bit," said Luke, who will lead A&M against Tennessee State on Saturday night in the season opener. "I was a little disappointed."
Instead of sulking about it, Luke was motivated by the snub. It has shown during preseason practice.
"Kelcy is having an exceptional camp," Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "He's throwing the ball better than I've ever seen him throw it."
There seems to be little left for Luke to accomplish. When he leaves A&M, Luke will hold virtually every school Division I-AA passing record, including completion percentage, completions, yards passing and TDs. He will also leave as one of school's all-time winningest QBs.
Still, Luke doesn't plan to rest on his laurels.
"I want to lead us to a national championship," he said. "Every year, we've gotten better and better.
"I would also like to have my name placed on the all-conference team. That's something to shoot for. Other than that, I just want to have a good season."
While Luke longs to make the All-SWAC team, he says he has no intentions of taking away from the team.
"I'm not going to push it to make it ... do things not in my role in this offense," he said. "We have a game plan and I'm going to execute it. I'm not going to go out there and throw deep balls. That's not what we do. I'm going to try to win games."
No comments:
Post a Comment