Despite inexperience, 'Dogs attack rolls in debut
There were question marks about Alabama A&M's offense going into Saturday night's season opener against Tennessee State. The Bulldogs lost their two leading rushers and three of their top four receivers a year ago. They also had to replace three fifth-year seniors along the offensive line.
The good thing was quarterback Kelcy Luke was back. So were tight ends Charles Moody and John Smith, wide receivers Thomas Harris and Gerald Stockdale and tackles James Sanders and Darius Turner.
But the rest of the cast of characters on offense were practically newcomers. Running backs Uylsses Banks and Anthony Green had never carried the ball from scrimmage although Banks led the nation in kickoff returns last season. Offensive linemen Xavier Manuel, Russell Jackson and Charles Meade were making their first career starts. Wide receivers Nate Baxter and Rashad Johnson were redshirt freshmen.
"We didn't know how those guys would respond," A&M coach Anthony Jones said.
After getting through the first half, they responded just fine.
Leading 14-7 at intermission, the Bulldogs erupted for 35 points in the second half and went on to blast the Tigers 49-23 at Nashville's LP Field. The 49 points were the most A&M had scored since whipping Jackson State 52-6 during the 2005 season. In fact, the 49 points were only five shy of the total A&M had scored in the last two years combined against TSU."Our kids stepped up," Jones said Sunday after watching the Bulldogs compile 450 yards in total offense against the Tigers. "As many key weapons as we lost last year, for us to come back and keep this thing rolling is really scary."
A&M's offense is scary because it has speed.
Unlike in years past when the Bulldogs were a power running football team, this year's squad is a lot quicker and faster and it showed.
A&M had six plays that covered 22 yards or more. Free safety Al Donaldson also had a 45-yard interception return to help set up another touchdown.
"Our team speed is much improved," Jones said. "We've got two or three running backs that would be a pretty good relay team. We've got three receivers that run in the 4.5's and our tight end work hard blocking and can beat you in the passing game.
Luke, Jones said, made it all happen.
After going 8-of-16 for 111 yards and a touchdown in the first half, Luke was almost perfect in the third quarter and early in the fourth before leaving the game.
During that time, he was 10-of-13 for 150 yards and two scores. He also ran for a TD.
"I pulled Kelcy to the side and told him he had to make the rest of our guys better," Jones said. "I told him he had to put the ball in position where they wouldn't drop the ball and make them make plays. He took that and ran with it. "
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