Reggie Benson, Huntsville Times
Young Bulldogs start slow
NASHVILLE - With six new starters, Alabama A&M's offense struggled early.
The Bulldogs were penalized three times on their first possession and then went three-and-out on three of their next four possessions.
A&M's running game was nonexistent as the Bulldogs finished with only one yard rushing and had the ball for just under five minutes in the first quarter.
Moody makes a move early
Charles Moody, Alabama A&M's All-Southwestern Athletic Conference tight end, made his presence felt early Saturday night against Tennessee State.
A 6-foot, 249-pound senior from Daleville, Moody caught two passes for 35 yards and both resulted in first downs for the Bulldogs.
On a third-and-seven play from the A&M 15, quarterback Kelcy Luke found Moody on a drag route for a 17-yard gain to give the Bulldogs their first first down of the season. Three plays later, Luke found Moody for 18 more yards on a second-and-15 play to give A&M a first down at the TSU 42.
Ex-Johnson star steps up
Former Johnson High star Carlton Rice, who transferred to Alabama A&M from Mississippi State in January, came up with the Bulldogs' first big defensive play of the season.
With Tennessee State leading 7-0 and threatening to score again late in the first quarter, Rice recorded his first career interception.
On a third-and-seven play from A&M 19, TSU quarterback Antonio Heffner rolled to his left and tried to find wide receiver Chris Johnson. An A&M defender tipped the ball, then Johnson tipped it and it fell into the Rice's arms.
Rice had a game-high seven tackles at intermission to go along with his interception.
Stockdale hurls downfield
Alabama A&M wide receiver Gerald Stockdale hadn't thrown a pass since his days at Talladega Central High School. After Saturday's effort, perhaps A&M coach Anthony Jones might want to consider letting Stockdale throw a few more balls.
With A&M backed up deep in its own territory late in the first half, Jones called for a reverse pass. Luke pitched the ball to Stockdale. After evading a tackle, Stockdale heaved a pass downfield to wide receiver Thomas Harris for a 42-yard gain down to the Tennessee State 44.
On the next play, Luke found Harris for a 44-yard touchdown pass to help A&M tied the game at 7-7.
Bulldogs too relaxed early
Alabama A&M's kickoff coverage team relaxed on the opening kickoff and allowed Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie a big return.
Rashad Cylar's kickoff bounced near the back of the end zone, but Rodgers-Cromartie, one of the top defensive backs in the country, brought it out and picked up 35 yards on the return.
Tucker makes a pick
Defensive back Stephan Tucker gambled and lost to help set up Tennessee State's first touchdown midway through the first quarter.
On a second-and-nine play from the TSU 32, Tucker tried to intercept Heffner's pass, but instead of coming away with the football, it landed in the arms of Chris Johnson, who raced 66 yards down to the A&M 2. The Tigers scored two plays later to take the lead.
Tucker got his interception as time expired to end the first half.
Maddox earns two flags
Alabama A&M defensive end Jeremy Maddox was hit with two big penalties early in the third quarter that allowed Tennessee State to get back in the game.
With the Tigers facing a third-and-10 at the A&M 44, Maddox was called for roughing the passer against Heffner and was also called for a personal foul for shoving a TSU offensive lineman. A&M was penalized 31 yards down to the TSU 13 and the Tigers scored two plays later to pull to within 14-13.
First-time starters take field
Nine Alabama A&M players made their first career starts Saturday night against Tennessee State.
Offensively, sophomore Ulysses Banks started at tailback, sophomore Kevin McCants started at fullback, freshman Nate Baxter started at wide receiver, freshman Russell Jackson started at left guard, sophomore Xavier Manuel started at center and sophomore Charles Meade started at left guard.
Defensively, sophomore Renaldo Askew started at left tackle, junior Whitney Garrett started at right tackle and Rice started at inside linebacker.
A&M, TSU close to deal
Alabama A&M and Tennessee State officials are close to signing a two-year, home-and-home agreement, A&M athletics director Betty Austin said Saturday afternoon.
Austin said she and TSU athletics director Teresa Phillips have tentatively agreed on a two-year deal that would bring the Tigers to Louis Crews Stadium next year with the Bulldogs returning to LP Field in 2009.
"We've been talking about it for about six weeks," Austin said.
This is the third straight year that A&M and TSU have met in the John Merritt Classic. Southern will replace A&M in next year's game, but Austin was eager to have TSU on the schedule.
"I'm hoping it will be a long-term deal," she said. "Teresa asked me to wait until we got this game behind us, but I'm hoping we can finalize a deal in the next few weeks.
"It's a good game. Our fans enjoy it. The schools are in close proximity. The bottom line is we need to play each other."
Young Bulldogs start slow
NASHVILLE - With six new starters, Alabama A&M's offense struggled early.
The Bulldogs were penalized three times on their first possession and then went three-and-out on three of their next four possessions.
A&M's running game was nonexistent as the Bulldogs finished with only one yard rushing and had the ball for just under five minutes in the first quarter.
Moody makes a move early
Charles Moody, Alabama A&M's All-Southwestern Athletic Conference tight end, made his presence felt early Saturday night against Tennessee State.
A 6-foot, 249-pound senior from Daleville, Moody caught two passes for 35 yards and both resulted in first downs for the Bulldogs.
On a third-and-seven play from the A&M 15, quarterback Kelcy Luke found Moody on a drag route for a 17-yard gain to give the Bulldogs their first first down of the season. Three plays later, Luke found Moody for 18 more yards on a second-and-15 play to give A&M a first down at the TSU 42.
Ex-Johnson star steps up
Former Johnson High star Carlton Rice, who transferred to Alabama A&M from Mississippi State in January, came up with the Bulldogs' first big defensive play of the season.
With Tennessee State leading 7-0 and threatening to score again late in the first quarter, Rice recorded his first career interception.
On a third-and-seven play from A&M 19, TSU quarterback Antonio Heffner rolled to his left and tried to find wide receiver Chris Johnson. An A&M defender tipped the ball, then Johnson tipped it and it fell into the Rice's arms.
Rice had a game-high seven tackles at intermission to go along with his interception.
Stockdale hurls downfield
Alabama A&M wide receiver Gerald Stockdale hadn't thrown a pass since his days at Talladega Central High School. After Saturday's effort, perhaps A&M coach Anthony Jones might want to consider letting Stockdale throw a few more balls.
With A&M backed up deep in its own territory late in the first half, Jones called for a reverse pass. Luke pitched the ball to Stockdale. After evading a tackle, Stockdale heaved a pass downfield to wide receiver Thomas Harris for a 42-yard gain down to the Tennessee State 44.
On the next play, Luke found Harris for a 44-yard touchdown pass to help A&M tied the game at 7-7.
Bulldogs too relaxed early
Alabama A&M's kickoff coverage team relaxed on the opening kickoff and allowed Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie a big return.
Rashad Cylar's kickoff bounced near the back of the end zone, but Rodgers-Cromartie, one of the top defensive backs in the country, brought it out and picked up 35 yards on the return.
Tucker makes a pick
Defensive back Stephan Tucker gambled and lost to help set up Tennessee State's first touchdown midway through the first quarter.
On a second-and-nine play from the TSU 32, Tucker tried to intercept Heffner's pass, but instead of coming away with the football, it landed in the arms of Chris Johnson, who raced 66 yards down to the A&M 2. The Tigers scored two plays later to take the lead.
Tucker got his interception as time expired to end the first half.
Maddox earns two flags
Alabama A&M defensive end Jeremy Maddox was hit with two big penalties early in the third quarter that allowed Tennessee State to get back in the game.
With the Tigers facing a third-and-10 at the A&M 44, Maddox was called for roughing the passer against Heffner and was also called for a personal foul for shoving a TSU offensive lineman. A&M was penalized 31 yards down to the TSU 13 and the Tigers scored two plays later to pull to within 14-13.
First-time starters take field
Nine Alabama A&M players made their first career starts Saturday night against Tennessee State.
Offensively, sophomore Ulysses Banks started at tailback, sophomore Kevin McCants started at fullback, freshman Nate Baxter started at wide receiver, freshman Russell Jackson started at left guard, sophomore Xavier Manuel started at center and sophomore Charles Meade started at left guard.
Defensively, sophomore Renaldo Askew started at left tackle, junior Whitney Garrett started at right tackle and Rice started at inside linebacker.
A&M, TSU close to deal
Alabama A&M and Tennessee State officials are close to signing a two-year, home-and-home agreement, A&M athletics director Betty Austin said Saturday afternoon.
Austin said she and TSU athletics director Teresa Phillips have tentatively agreed on a two-year deal that would bring the Tigers to Louis Crews Stadium next year with the Bulldogs returning to LP Field in 2009.
"We've been talking about it for about six weeks," Austin said.
This is the third straight year that A&M and TSU have met in the John Merritt Classic. Southern will replace A&M in next year's game, but Austin was eager to have TSU on the schedule.
"I'm hoping it will be a long-term deal," she said. "Teresa asked me to wait until we got this game behind us, but I'm hoping we can finalize a deal in the next few weeks.
"It's a good game. Our fans enjoy it. The schools are in close proximity. The bottom line is we need to play each other."
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