Alabama A&M rolls over Mississippi Valley

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Defense was the key.

The Bulldogs held Mississippi Valley State to 77 yards rushing and a smothering pass rush had 8 sacks and 13 tackles for loss and contributed to two interceptions, including one for a touchdown.

Special teams were the key.

Freshman Octayvius Miles set a school record with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown (though he was 3 yards deep in the endzone) and the kickoff and punt return units combined for 255 yards.

Offense was the key.

Freshman Harvey Harris rushed for 109 yards in a 265-yard rushing attack that was complemented by 170 yards passing.
In all, it was a team effort Saturday as Alabama A&M defeated Mississippi Valley State 42-20.

Anthony Lanier had 8 tackles, 2 ½ sacks and 4 tackles for loss,  Bryan Brower had 8 tackles, 1 ½ tackles for loss and a half-sack  and David Dagrin had 5 tackles, 2 ½ sacks and 2 ½ sacks to pace the Bulldogs who improved to 1-1 in the Southwest Athletic Conference and 2-3 overall. The Bulldogs also picked off two Valley passes, one in the Delta Devils' endzone for a touchdown.

Miles' kickoff return to open the second half broke the school record set by Ulysses Banks in 2006. A&M led 28-6 after that return.

Harris had 21 carries and scored two touchdowns and Byran Brower had another 56 yards on 16 carries. The Bulldogs relied on the ground game, running 53 of the teams 68 offensive plays. Through the air, Jaymason Lee and Brandon Wells combined for 9-of-15 and 170 yards with no interceptions and one touchdown – a 55-yarder from Lee to Kalais Robertson run.

The Bulldogs, though, started slowly as Valley jumped on the scoreboard first as quarterback  Quantavius  Peterson rushed for a 37-yard touchdown run.  Valley tried for two-point conversion but the run failed.

The Bulldogs settled into their offense, starting on their on 29-yard line. The Bulldogs pushed the ball down the field when Harris broke free up the middle to score on a 37-yard touchdown, capping the eight-play,  74-yard scoring drive.

Valley's ensuing play wasn't what they expected deep in their own territory. Peterson's pass was intercepted by Germain Calmes in the endzone giving the Bulldogs the 14-6 lead. 

The Bulldogs got the ball back and Brandon Eldemire rushed into the end zone for a four-yard scamper, with 1:40 left in the half and a 21-6 lead.

The team traded touchdowns the rest of the way with Harris scoring on a 1-yard run and Robertson's 55-yard touchdown pass from Lee with 6:53 left in the game.

The 42 points was the most scored by A&M this season.

The Bulldogs host Grambling State on Saturday in their first home game of the season.  It is also Homecoming and the Louis Crews Classic.

Box Score 

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS