Alabama A&M notebook

Photo: UAPB Head Football Coach Mo Forte

Huntsville Times

Golden Lions have no controversy at QB

Arkansas-Pine Bluff coach Mo Forte said the Golden Lions are not entrenched in a quarterback controversy.

Starter Chris Wallace, the reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, started the first two games before Jonathan Moore moved into the starting lineup. According to UAPB officials, Wallace didn't play against Alabama State and New Mexico State because of exhaustion, but saw action against Southern Illinois and Grambling.

In fact, Wallace threw what could have been a potential game-winning 63-yard touchdown pass to Jason Jones Saturday night against Grambling, but the play was nullified by a penalty.

Wallace replaced Moore, who bruised his throwing hand on a helmet, in the fourth quarter.

Moore was 16-of-32 for 276 yards, one touchdown and one interception before leaving the game. Wallace was 9-of-13 for 93 yards and a touchdown.

"It's never a controversy," Forte said when asked about the quarterbacks. "We don't deal with that up here. We go with the person that will give us the best opportunity to win."

Forte said Moore's status remains uncertain for Thursday's game at Alabama A&M.

"I'm not sure," he said. "It's up in the air right now. It depends on how he progresses over the next couple of days. Hopefully, he's going to be ready to play."

If Moore is unable to go, Forte says Wallace will be ready.

"Chris is as fine a person as you'll ever find and he's always ready to take the reigns," Forte said.

Richardson's career is over at A&M: Inside linebacker Jimmy Richardson has elected not to rejoin the team, A&M coach Anthony Jones confirmed Tuesday.

Richardson, a 6-foot-1, 232-pound senior from Orrville, left the team on Sept. 30 and never returned. He didn't practice the following week and didn't accompany the team to Baton Rouge, La., for an important game against Southern on Oct. 5.

Richardson met with Jones and his staff on Oct. 8 and hasn't been heard from since.

He was slated to start at inside linebacker before losing his job during training camp to Mississippi State transfer Carlton Rice. Richardson left the team for that reason, sources say.

"Jimmy Richardson has decided to pursue other endeavors," Jones said. "We wish him well."

Affordable tickets: Tickets for Thursday night's game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff are available at a reduced rate.

Any school in the Huntsville area is eligible to sell tickets to their students for $1. School officials have to pick up the tickets and distribute them on consignment at their respective schools.

Local church groups of 25 adults or more can purchase tickets in group quantity for $10 apiece. All student tickets (ages 6-18) are half price for the game at $3. These tickets are available at any time. General admission tickets that do not fall under one of these specials are $15 in advance and $18 the day of the game. For more information, contact the A&M ticket office at 372-4059. The offer ends today at 5 p.m.

Reggie Benson