By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times Sports Staff
Bulldogs defense struggles in second scrimmage
Alabama A&M's offense is getting better.
For the second time in four days, A&M's offense got the best of the Bulldogs' defense Tuesday night during the second full-scale scrimmage of the preseason.
Offensively, A&M scored three touchdowns as quarterback Kelcy Luke found John Smith with a 22-yard strike to open the scoring on the first possession of the scrimmage against the first defense. One possession later, backup quarterback Stanley Allen found Gerald Stockdale with an 82-yard catch and run for a touchdown against the first unit.
Stockdale ran through cornerback Maurice Thomas and free safety Al Donaldson en route to the end zone. Later in the scrimmage, Kevin Atkins found Rashad Johnson with a 54-yard touchdown pass against the second defense.
"We made some nice plays and moved the ball well," A&M coach Anthony Jones said.
While Jones seemed pleased with A&M's offensive production, defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns wasn't thrilled with how his unit played.
"They whipped us tonight," Towns said of the offense. "They came out with great intensity and we didn't match it. We weren't able to make plays when we needed to make them.
"We've got to get the right people on the field."
A&M's first defense played without end Chris Traylor, who was demoted after missing practice last week. They Bulldogs also played cornerbacks Stephan Tucker (ankle) and Frank Moore, who was demoted to third team after missing Sunday's work.
"I'm still concerned about our secondary," said Towns, who believed that would be one of this teams' strengths. "We're not getting our coverages carried out."
That was evident Tuesday night.
Luke was almost perfect in his two possessions.
He led the first-team offense on a six-play, 70-yard touchdown drive on the first possession of the scrimmage, completing 4-of-5 passes for 65 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to Smith. Luke opened the drive with a 22-yard pass to Smith and also had a 13-yard completion to redshirt freshman Nate Baxter and a 17-yard hook-up with Anthony Mitchell, who is still fighting to become academically eligible this season.
On the next possession, Luke was 2-for-2 for 21 yards and A&M's offense was in position to score again before center Xavier Manuel snapped the ball over his head in the shotgun.
"The bad snap derailed us," Jones said.
Even so, Luke was encouraged by the offense's ability to move the ball.
"We've been working hard," said Luke, who was 6-of-7 for 86 yards and a touchdown. "Everybody is on the same page. We want to be a dominant factor on the offensive side of the ball this year."
Defensively, Justin Hammond picked up a fumble by tight end Todd Leichtfuss and rambled 47 yards for a touchdown, and Darian Payne had an interception.
"I'm not concerned, but we have been lacking a little intensity," said inside linebacker Avery Moland. "We'll get that where it needs to be over the next two weeks. "
Bulldogs defense struggles in second scrimmage
Alabama A&M's offense is getting better.
For the second time in four days, A&M's offense got the best of the Bulldogs' defense Tuesday night during the second full-scale scrimmage of the preseason.
Offensively, A&M scored three touchdowns as quarterback Kelcy Luke found John Smith with a 22-yard strike to open the scoring on the first possession of the scrimmage against the first defense. One possession later, backup quarterback Stanley Allen found Gerald Stockdale with an 82-yard catch and run for a touchdown against the first unit.
Stockdale ran through cornerback Maurice Thomas and free safety Al Donaldson en route to the end zone. Later in the scrimmage, Kevin Atkins found Rashad Johnson with a 54-yard touchdown pass against the second defense.
"We made some nice plays and moved the ball well," A&M coach Anthony Jones said.
While Jones seemed pleased with A&M's offensive production, defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns wasn't thrilled with how his unit played.
"They whipped us tonight," Towns said of the offense. "They came out with great intensity and we didn't match it. We weren't able to make plays when we needed to make them.
"We've got to get the right people on the field."
A&M's first defense played without end Chris Traylor, who was demoted after missing practice last week. They Bulldogs also played cornerbacks Stephan Tucker (ankle) and Frank Moore, who was demoted to third team after missing Sunday's work.
"I'm still concerned about our secondary," said Towns, who believed that would be one of this teams' strengths. "We're not getting our coverages carried out."
That was evident Tuesday night.
Luke was almost perfect in his two possessions.
He led the first-team offense on a six-play, 70-yard touchdown drive on the first possession of the scrimmage, completing 4-of-5 passes for 65 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to Smith. Luke opened the drive with a 22-yard pass to Smith and also had a 13-yard completion to redshirt freshman Nate Baxter and a 17-yard hook-up with Anthony Mitchell, who is still fighting to become academically eligible this season.
On the next possession, Luke was 2-for-2 for 21 yards and A&M's offense was in position to score again before center Xavier Manuel snapped the ball over his head in the shotgun.
"The bad snap derailed us," Jones said.
Even so, Luke was encouraged by the offense's ability to move the ball.
"We've been working hard," said Luke, who was 6-of-7 for 86 yards and a touchdown. "Everybody is on the same page. We want to be a dominant factor on the offensive side of the ball this year."
Defensively, Justin Hammond picked up a fumble by tight end Todd Leichtfuss and rambled 47 yards for a touchdown, and Darian Payne had an interception.
"I'm not concerned, but we have been lacking a little intensity," said inside linebacker Avery Moland. "We'll get that where it needs to be over the next two weeks. "
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