HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Aqeel Glass noticed the potential early.
While spending time with his receivers during the hot, humid days of summer, Glass realized he was surrounded by an abundance of playmakers.
All Glass had to do was get the ball in their hands.
Through six games this season, that has not been a problem.
Glass has completed passes to 14 different receivers and is the quarterback of one of the SWAC's most productive offenses, which has Alabama A&M in contention for the conference's East Division title.
Alabama A&M (3-3, 2-1 in SWAC) hosts Alcorn State (4-2, 2-1) on Saturday for homecoming. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.
This is a contest between the top two teams in the East Division standings.
"This is a huge conference game," Alabama A&M coach Connell Maynor said. "Alcorn has been the best team in our division for the past four years. They've been the standard on this side of the conference.
"It's like they say, 'to be the best, you have to beat the best.' So this is a great opportunity for our players to compete and see if we can take that next step."
Glass has been a significant factor in Alabama A&M's success.
The 6-foot-5 and 215-pound sophomore from St. Louis is No. 3 in the conference in passing yards per game (196.7) and passing efficiency (121.9). Glass has passed for 1,180 yards and 10 touchdowns while throwing just four interceptions.
But what is most impressive is how Glass consistently spreads the football around. He has completed passes to 14 different receivers, which is the most in the SWAC, and Alabama A&M has four receivers with more than 100 receiving yards.
Freshman Brian Jenkins Jr. leads Alabama A&M with 332 receiving yards and a touchdown on 28 catches (11.9 yards per catch), while Marceles Clash has 187 yards and three touchdowns on 15 receptions (12.5 yards per catch). Zabrian Moore has 153 yards and a touchdown, while Octayvious Miles has 129 yards and a touchdown.
"We established a strong working relationship with Aqeel during the offseason," Jenkins said. "Everything that's happening now is a product of the work we put in this summer."
Glass agreed.
"We've got a lot of playmakers on our team," he said. "During the offseason, we got a lot of good work in, building a good connection with timing, routes, etc.
"All of these guys are extremely competitive and can make things happen when you get the ball in their hands. Every single one of them is capable of having a huge game on any given week."
Glass has grown this season as a passer, but the area most discussed by Alabama A&M's coaching staff is his development at making correct reads.
Alabama A&M's new offensive system is heavily dependent on run-pass options, which means the quarterback's pre- and post-snap reads dictate whether or not a play is successful.
"And Aqeel has done a good job of making the right decisions," Maynor said. "For example, last week the coaches said in the headset that Aqeel should throw the ball to Octayvious when the ball was snapped, and that's the decision he made.
"That's happening more times than not. When the quarterback and the offensive coordinator are seeing the same thing, you've got a recipe for success."
Now Alabama A&M is facing one of the nation's top defenses. Alcorn State is ranked No. 2 in the FCS in total defense, holding opponents to 242 yards per game. Alabama A&M is ranked 39th in the FCS, and second in the SWAC, in total defense, holding opponents to 369.7 yards per game.
Alabama A&M will try and counter that with a balanced offensive attack. The Bulldogs are averaging 145 rushing yards and 206.8 passing yards per game.
Trevon Walters rushed for 162 yards and two touchdowns last week during a 42-21 win at Texas Southern.
Walters leads Alabama A&M with 323 yards and four touchdowns, while Jordan Bentley has rushed for 270 yards and three touchdowns.
"Balance is what you want from an offense," Maynor said. "When you're balanced, effective at running and passing the football, you've got a great opportunity for success."
Alcorn State at Alabama A&M
2018 Homecoming
KICKOFF: 2 p.m. at Louis Crews Stadium
RECORDS: Alcorn State (4-2, 2-1 in SWAC); Alabama A&M (3-3, 2-1)
PRE-GAME ACTIVITIES: Kid's Zone at softball field; Athletic Director's Tent at intersection of Holloway and Bates Circle; Bulldog Walk at 12:45 p.m.
HALFTIME FESTIVITIES: Check presentations from National Space Club and Inspire and Achieve; Aramark Presentation; Miss AAMU and Homecoming Court; President's Welcome; Performance by Marching Maroon and White.
ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
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