Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Alabama A&M Notebook: Jones waiting for eligibility answers


Reggie Benson, Times Staff Writer

Jones still waiting for eligibility answers

Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones said Monday he was unable to set his lineup for Saturday's season opener against Tennessee State because he was still awaiting word on some eligibility issues.

Jones said last week some of his players had been cleared academically, but he was still awaiting word on several others. The list includes running back Max Martin, wide receiver Anthony Mitchell and defensive back Jonathan McConico, among others.

"We have the same situation that we had Friday," Jones said. "I'm still waiting on some phone calls and hopefully I'll get them before the end of the day. If I don't get them, we're moving on. Whoever we go out there with (today) is who we're going with."

Tucker to start: Defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns said Monday that Stephan Tucker will start at left cornerback in place of Maurice Thomas in Alabama A&M's season opener Saturday against Tennessee State. Kickoff is 6 p.m. at LP Field.

Tucker had been hampered by an ankle injury and that allowed Thomas, who started the second half of last season after Tucker sustained a similar injury against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, to move ahead of him. However, after watching the film from Saturday's scrimmage, Towns made the move.

"Thomas wasn't sound in his technique," he said. "I hadn't had a chance to watch film last week, but he wasn't very solid in the scrimmage ."

Tucker played well, Towns said, and his ankle is about 90 percent.

Towns said Chris Faush moved ahead of Korey Morrison and will back up Frank Moore at right cornerback.

Williams concerns Towns: Annually, A&M has been ranked nationally in rushing defense. That national reputation will be challenged Saturday night when A&M visits Tennessee State.

The Tigers include one of the better running backs in the Ohio Valley Conference in Javarris Williams, a 5-foot-11, 215-pound junior.

Williams rushed for 1,233 yards and scored 11 touchdowns last season, including a 121-yard effort on 23 carries and a touchdown in a 27-20 loss to the Bulldogs.

"He did a good job running the ball last year," Towns said of Williams. "We helped him some with some poor tackling, but he's a powerful runner and we've got to find a way to slow him down."

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