Alabama A&M humbles TSU

Photo: TSU quarterback Antonio Heffner (16) looks for a receiver during the Tennessee State University vs. Alabama A&M John Merritt Classic football game.

By MIKE ORGAN, Staff Writer

Tigers suffer third consecutive defeat in Merritt Classic

Alabama A&M didn't wait so late in the game this year to spoil the John Merritt Classic for Tennessee State.

After winning the previous two festive season-openers with come-from-behind fourth-quarter rallies, the Bulldogs skipped the drama Saturday night on the way to a 49-23 victory.

An LP Field crowd of 23,440 watched the Bulldogs make it three straight over the Tigers. It was TSU's last chance to avenge two previous losses to A&M. Southern replaces Alabama A&M as TSU's foe in the 2008 John Merritt Classic.

The last time TSU gave up 49 points was in 2005 in a 49-0 loss to Eastern Kentucky.

Alabama A&M rallied in the last quarter in 2005 to beat TSU 27-14, and then in 2006 scored two fourth-quarter TDs to claim a 27-20 victory.

Saturday night's crowd was significantly larger than last year's (an increase of 3,953), many of whom were there hoping to see the Tigers manage to hold on until the very end.

But that chance was blown well before the game reached the fourth quarter. Alabama A&M quarterback Kelcy Luke saw to that. He completed 18-of-29 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns.

TSU Coach James Webster refused to lay blame for the loss solely on his defense, which gave up 450 yards of total offense.

"Give Alabama A&M credit," Webster said. "Luke is a winner. I love the guy. When they needed to have plays made, he made the plays."

While Luke played better as the game went on, TSU suffered mostly because the offense was unable to sustain drive. The Tigers converted on just 3-of-13 first downs.

Luke the leader

With his team clinging to a 14-13 lead midway through the third quarter, Luke completed a 33-yard touchdown strike to running back Ulysses Banks. Luke followed with a 34-yard TD to tight end John Smith, putting the Bulldogs up 28-13.

"We settled down and we got things going — we executed our game plan," Luke said. "I didn't expect us to score 49 points, but I knew we had some playmakers on our offense.''

TSU quarterback Antonio Heffner, meanwhile, could not keep the Tigers offense in gear. It was Heffner who set up Luke's TD pass to Smith. Heffner rolled left under heavy pressure from defensive tackle Frank Kearse and let the ball slip out of his hands as he went to throw it. Kearse recovered, and Luke's scoring pass to Smith came on the next play.

Heffner completed only 15-of-30 passes for 173 yards and had three intercepted.

"I'm not going to blame it all on Antonio," Webster said. "We didn't help him very much."

The Tigers threatened on the next drive, but that stalled at the A&M 12. They had to settle for a 29-yard field goal by Eric Benson, which left A&M in front 28-16.

Luke then capped a 5-play, 50-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown run midway in the fourth quarter. Anthony Green then destroyed any hope of a TSU comeback when he ran 25 yards for a TD with 8:28 left to play, giving the Bulldogs a 42-16 lead.

TSU running back Javarris Williams, who did not start, eventually came in and rushed for 123 yards on 20 carries.