Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Alabama A&M notebook


Huntsville Times

Martin likely to sit out again this week

Alabama A&M will likely be without running back Max Martin for the third straight week and possibly longer, coach Anthony Jones said Tuesday afternoon.

Martin, who played at Bob Jones High School and transferred to A&M from Alabama inJanuary, has been unable to play this season pending some issues with the NCAA and it doesn't appear he will play anytime soon.

"I got a phone call today saying the NCAA needed more information," Jones said. "What? I don't know. That's all I know."

Jones had hoped Martin would be available for Saturday's Southwestern Athletic Conference opener against Mississippi Valley State. But it doesn't appear he will be.

"Is he eligible? No," Jones said. "Am I frustrated about it? Yes, but there's nothing I can do about it."

Jones said when A&M officials find out what information the NCAA wants, they will try to get it to them as quickly as possible.

"I'm waiting for the NCAA to get back to our people," he said. "Once that happens, we'll try to get it done and wait for the NCAA to give us its ruling."

Jones said he was given no time frame as to when the NCAA would rule on Martin's status.

Jones praises Pearl:Jones heaped heavy praise on offensive coordinator Cedric Pearl on Monday.

Pearl, who was given the job during the spring after Stanley Conner left to become the head coach at Benedict College, has A&M's offense playing as well as it ever has during Jones' tenure.

Through two games, the Bulldogs are averaging 45 points and 529 yards per game.

"Coach Pearl is doing an excellent job," Jones said. "He's my eyes upstairs. Our communication is excellent. He understands the game plan and he's making some great suggestions and ideas."

Totten praises A&M: Mississippi Valley State coach Willie Totten said Monday that his team will be in for a heck of a battle Saturday night when it takes on Alabama A&M at Louis Crews Stadium. Totten says the Bulldogs are doing things he's never seen them do before.

"We're going against the best team in our conference in the Eastern Division," Totten said. "They are doing a lot of exciting things offensively and they're always good on defense. This is the best I've seen A&M look this early.

"They have a lot of speed on defense and they're more balanced offensively. They're throwing the ball extremely well and they run the ball extremely well. We've got to be polished this week."

Reggie Benson

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