LORMAN, Mississippi -- It wasn't pretty but that's how the Bulldogs have done it all season as they broke their second three game losing streak of the season with a 19-18 win over the Braves of Alcorn State.The win is head coach Anthony Jones 100th overall victory, 60th Southwestern Athletic Conference win, 40th victory over teams from Mississippi, and 399th win for the Alabama A&M football program.
"Thank the Lord for allowing me to be here and all the support we have gotten throughout the years," Jones said. "This was a team effort from the players to my family, Dr. Hugine Jr., Mr. Hicks, our fans and our band. I am thankful for everyone involved in this process."
Transfer Barrington Scott carried the load for A&M with 21 rushes for 66 yards. The lightning of the duo Brandon Eldemire collected 65 yards on five carries. Coming in after the Bulldogs posted 45 offensive yards, one first down, and a 15-0 deficit, Jaymason Lee went 11 of 20 for 150 yards and three touchdowns.
In his first drive he led the Bulldogs on a four play, 73 yard possession in 1:49 seconds to get A&M on the scoreboard.
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Montaurius Smith secured five catches for 81 yards and made by far one of the best plays of the season when he laid out to catch a Mason pass that had thought to be overthrown. The reception allowed Alabama A&M to covert a third down into a first down.
"When I saw the pass I thought, this ball is to pretty I have to catch it," said the Birmingham native.
Chris Ervin led the fourth ranked defense in the Football Championship Subdivision with 11 tackles while linebacker Robert Nelson posted 10.
"I'm proud of my team they made some great plays today. I've said this all along we are a good football team and we are better than what our record says," Jones mentioned.
The game started fast for Alcorn as they took a 15-0 lead with 14:04 remaining in the second quarter. Alcorn took advantage of a safety after a Brave punt pinned the Bulldogs on their own four yard line. The Braves then added their second score on the very next drive giving them a 9-0 advantage. Alcorn then scored their second and last touchdown of the game on their fourth drive of the contest.
From there the Bulldogs took over the game and played their brand of football. With over seven thousand fans in attendance, Jones and crew debut the Mad Dog offense with former quarterback Terrance Pride running the show. This allowed the passing game to open up for Mason who on his very next drive took A&M on a 13 play, 80 yard possession for their second straight score.
With the score at 15-13 and halftime looming Alcorn booted a 45 yard field goal to give themselves an 18-13 lead. With 2:52 left in the first half the Maroon and White's Scott got loose for his longest run of the game at 26 yards, then Lee found Smith for 23 yards and a Brendon Johnson 10 yard run saw the Bulldogs at the Purple and Gold 19. Cesar Ramon attempted a 36 yard field goal but pushed it left and saw AAMU down 18-13 at the break.
The second half saw one score between both teams a 26 yard throw and catch from Lee to Dorsey. Those six points put A&M up 19-18 for their first lead in a game since the :49 second mark remaining in the Southern University contest.
From there the number one defense in the league held Alcorn to two punts, a pair of missed field goals and a fumble on special teams to put the ball back in the Bulldog offense hands for the eventual win.
"We told the guys at half time we could win this game. As long as we played them to the very end we knew we would have a chance," said Jones. "It's an emotional win due to the way the season has gone. We've fought in all of our contests and this time we were able to finish it."
The win was similar to last seasons as Alcorn defeated A&M by one point giving the Bulldogs their first loss of 2012 and tripped up A&M trying to get to their sixth championship game. Alcorn falls to 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the Eastern Division of the SWAC.
The Braves were led by John Gibbs who went 18 of 30 for 171 yards and a TD strike. Arnold Walker rushed for 109 yards on 27 touches while Tollette George posted four receptions for 54 yards.
Next up A&M will welcome the Tigers of Jackson State at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 9, in Louis Crews stadium.
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