MIKE PERRIN, Birmingham News staff writer
Kelcy Luke has never lost consecutive games at Alabama A&M. But then, nobody on the current squad has, since the Bulldogs haven't dropped two in a row since the first two games of 2002.
The A&M quarterback doesn't expect a letdown after last week's setback at Grambling State when Texas Southern comes to Louis Crews Stadium for the Bulldogs' homecoming on Saturday.
"We're not panicking," said Luke, headed into his final homecoming game at A&M. "We know we've got to flesh some things out. We know we didn't play well and we know we've got some things to work on."
Texas Southern is 0-4 headed into the 3 p.m. game, 0-3 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play. The 31-6 loss at Grambling was A&M's first after three straight victories and the Bulldogs are 1-1 in the league.
Although the Tigers are currently in the cellar, they have been a thorn in A&M's side recently. Texas Southern beat A&M 17-7 two years ago to break a 16-game losing streak and spoil homecoming. Only a late pass interception sealed a Bulldogs 19-14 victory last year.
Luke, who is leading the SWAC in passing and total offense this year, has had mixed success against Texas Southern. Two years ago he completed 12-of-28 for 129 yards and was sacked five times. Last season, he hit on 20-of-34 throws for 194 yards and a touchdown while being intercepted once and sacked four times.
"I don't know that we've had that much more success against Luke than anybody else," Southern coach Steve Wilson said. "We really respect this kid. He really understands their offense and knows how to run their system.
"I think he's the ultimate field general type. It starts and ends with him."
This season, Luke has thrown for 955 yards, completing 69-of-116 attempts with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions, and he averages 253.2 yards a game.
Before his senior season started, Luke was already A&M's I-AA record-holder for completions and passing yards with those totals now at 446 and 5,344.
"I can't believe this is my last year," said Luke, who transferred from Auburn as a redshirt freshman. "It's been great ever since I got here and it seems like I just got here."
Luke has led the Bulldogs to the top of the SWAC stats this season as coach Anthony Jones' squad scores 35.2 points, passes for 249.2 yards a game and accounts for 426 yards per outing.
"Our line has really stepped up," the quarterback said. "We had to replace three starters (on the line) from last year, we've got young receivers and two new running backs.
"One thing this year is nobody can key on one person in our offense. We make sure we get a lot out of every one of them."
While the Bulldogs' goal of an undefeated season is lost, the defending SWAC champions made the title game the past two seasons after rebounding from losses in the league.
"Even though we lost, our main goal is still in our hands right now," Luke said. "We use that to pick everybody back up."
Kelcy Luke has never lost consecutive games at Alabama A&M. But then, nobody on the current squad has, since the Bulldogs haven't dropped two in a row since the first two games of 2002.
The A&M quarterback doesn't expect a letdown after last week's setback at Grambling State when Texas Southern comes to Louis Crews Stadium for the Bulldogs' homecoming on Saturday.
"We're not panicking," said Luke, headed into his final homecoming game at A&M. "We know we've got to flesh some things out. We know we didn't play well and we know we've got some things to work on."
Texas Southern is 0-4 headed into the 3 p.m. game, 0-3 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play. The 31-6 loss at Grambling was A&M's first after three straight victories and the Bulldogs are 1-1 in the league.
Although the Tigers are currently in the cellar, they have been a thorn in A&M's side recently. Texas Southern beat A&M 17-7 two years ago to break a 16-game losing streak and spoil homecoming. Only a late pass interception sealed a Bulldogs 19-14 victory last year.
Luke, who is leading the SWAC in passing and total offense this year, has had mixed success against Texas Southern. Two years ago he completed 12-of-28 for 129 yards and was sacked five times. Last season, he hit on 20-of-34 throws for 194 yards and a touchdown while being intercepted once and sacked four times.
"I don't know that we've had that much more success against Luke than anybody else," Southern coach Steve Wilson said. "We really respect this kid. He really understands their offense and knows how to run their system.
"I think he's the ultimate field general type. It starts and ends with him."
This season, Luke has thrown for 955 yards, completing 69-of-116 attempts with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions, and he averages 253.2 yards a game.
Before his senior season started, Luke was already A&M's I-AA record-holder for completions and passing yards with those totals now at 446 and 5,344.
"I can't believe this is my last year," said Luke, who transferred from Auburn as a redshirt freshman. "It's been great ever since I got here and it seems like I just got here."
Luke has led the Bulldogs to the top of the SWAC stats this season as coach Anthony Jones' squad scores 35.2 points, passes for 249.2 yards a game and accounts for 426 yards per outing.
"Our line has really stepped up," the quarterback said. "We had to replace three starters (on the line) from last year, we've got young receivers and two new running backs.
"One thing this year is nobody can key on one person in our offense. We make sure we get a lot out of every one of them."
While the Bulldogs' goal of an undefeated season is lost, the defending SWAC champions made the title game the past two seasons after rebounding from losses in the league.
"Even though we lost, our main goal is still in our hands right now," Luke said. "We use that to pick everybody back up."
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