Alabama A&M defense dominates as Bulldogs win opener at Grambling

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  -- The hump on the question marks didn't quite straighten themselves out all the way to become exclamation points for Alabama A&M, but there were some answers provided in an opening-game cauldron for the Bulldogs.

In mid-90s temperature at the sunken pit that is Grambling State's Robinson Stadium, Alabama A&M opened the season - and quarterback Brandon Wells began his career - in impressive fashion in a 23-9 throttling of the Tigers.

Alabama A&M's defense was ferociously effective, holding Grambling to a mere 165 yards on 55 plays, limiting the Tiger quarterbacks to eight-for-25 passing.
Meanwhile, Wells, the redshirt freshman from Calera, was 15-for-28 for 187 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

"Our young people played really well," said Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones, whose lineup featured 15 new starters, plus a new punter and kicker.

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Alabama A&M notebook: Running back 'committee' of Eldemire, Scott works well

GRAMBLING, Louisiana - Alabama A&M's "running game by committee" didn't take long to unfold.

After Kaderius Lacey had 182 of the 263 carries by a running back last season, Bulldogs coach Anthony Jones promised the load would be shared by Brandon Eldemire, who started the game, and transfer Barrington Scott, who entered the game on the third series.

Scott, who played at Ball State before coming to A&M, rushed 16 times for 77 yards. Eldemire had 10 carries for 21 yards.

RECEIVING DIVERSITY: Quarterback Brandon Wells had plenty of targets in his debut. Seven different receivers caught passes. Tight end Toriono Upshaw had six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. G'Alonzo Milton had three catches for 46, Montaurius Smith two for 32 yards and a touchdown
 
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2-Minute Drill: Alabama A&M 23, Grambling 9

WHY ALABAMA A&M WON: Alabama A&M's defense set the tone with its second-quarter safety, when Robert Nelson tackled Grambling quarterback D.J. Williams in the end zone. While Williams had a few significant completions, the A&M defense consistently pressured him. The defense and the punting game - the latter a surprise - gave the A&M offense convenient field position. Rookie QB Brandon Wells had his moments where accuracy was lacking, but he was able to pick apart the Grambling secondary on occasion.

KEY MOMENT: Senior cornerback Tremaine Shepherd made a diving interception with just over a minute to play in the second quarter, putting Alabama A&M on the Grambling 38. It might have been more prudent for a struggling Grambling to have run out the clock to regroup. Instead, it gave A&M good field position and ample time to score another TD seconds before halftime. As a bonus, the Bulldogs would also have the ball to open the second half.

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