Alabama A&M University soccer team wins academic honor

Photo: Alabama A&M University head soccer coach Salah Yousif.

Alabama A&M's men's soccer team was recently honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as a national scholar team.

Fourteen of Salah Yousif's 19 players on this year's roster made the dean's list and the team is carrying a cumulative grade point average of 3.20.

This is the first time the men's soccer team has received such an honor. The Bulldogs finished the season with a 9-8-1 record.

UAPB holds off Alabama A&M Bulldogs

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Arkansas-Pine Bluff made 10 straight free throws over the final 34seconds to hold off Alabama A&M in a 70-65 Southwestern Athletic Conference victory Saturday night. The Golden Lions, who entered the game shooting 60 percent from the charity stripe, made 20-of-25 free throws, all in the second half, to turn back the Bulldogs.

The loss, which snapped A&M's three-game winning streak, dropped the Bulldogs to 7-13overall and 4-6 in league play. UAPB, which snapped its two-game losing streak, improved to 10-11 and 6-4. Trant Simpson led A&M with 27 points. Allen Smith led UAPB with 25 points.

Gladness finds happiness at Alabama A&M

Photo: Alabama A&M University NBA pro prospect Mickell Gladness, 6-11/205 forward, Sylacauga, AL, Lawson State CC .

Center's love of hoops may lead to a pro career

Mickell Gladness arrived at Alabama A&M three years ago with little fanfare. He will leave with a whole lot more. Scouts and agents have come from near and far to get a look at Gladness, who has improved his scoring ability to go along with his shot blocking and rebounding skills.

"My dream has been to play beyond college," Gladness said Thursday before practice. "I love basketball, and I would love to play and get paid for it." Gladness'love for the game has been obvious lately. Over the last six games, the 6-foot-11, 205-pound senior has played as well as he's played during his career. During that stretch, Gladness is averaging 14.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.5 blocks while shooting 60 percent from the field.

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Scottsboro RB excited about Alabama A&M

Johnson one of 34 players committed to Bulldogs.

The thought first crossed Trent Johnson's mind three years ago. After rushing for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore at Scottsboro High, Johnson began to think he might earn a football scholarship. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder ran around, through and away from tacklers with the Wildcats, finishing with 42 TDs and more than 3,800 yards rushing. Johnson averaged almost 117 yards per game during his final three seasons.

Johnson's dream of going to college will come true today when he is expected to sign a national letter of intent to play at Alabama A&M University. "I'm really excited," said Johnson, who is expected to sign during a ceremony at 9 a.m. at the school. "I had a great time on my visit. The players and coaches really bonded well. It was like a family environment. I figured I'd fit in good."

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AA&MU starting to find groove at expense of Texas Southern

Photo: AAMU Student Dawg Pound Section ready to cheer on the Bulldogs.

Bulldogs beat Texas Southern 73-65 for third straight win.

Alabama A&M, which has struggled at home in Southwestern Athletic Conference play this season, was having its way against Texas Southern on Monday night. The Bulldogs, who led by 11 at intermission, opened the second half with an 8-2 run to take their largest lead of the game. However, like it has in so many games this season, A&M let an opponent back in the game. Matthew Miller's 3-pointer with just over five minutes left to play pulled Texas Southern within two.

6-11/205 senior forward Mickell Gladness, who scored in double figures for the sixth game in a row, finishing with 19 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocks.

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Alabama A&M hot shooting down PVAMU Panthers

Trant Simpson scored the first 11 points of the game for Alabama A&M en route to a career high 29 points and led the Bulldogs to a 74-62 victory Saturday at Elmore Gym over Prairie View A&M University. The win was the second straight for A&M and gets the Bulldogs to 3-5 in the SWAC and 6-12 overall. Evan Hilton recorded a double-double for the Bulldogs with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Despite being out rebounded 52-40 and giving up 18 offensive boards, AAMU forced 19 PVAMU turnovers while committing just eight on the night. Along with Simpson and Hilton, the Bulldogs got double digit scoring from Andrew Williams with 12 and Mickell Gladness with 10. Gladness also blocked five shots.

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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

Season is not golden for UAPB Lions

By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

UAPB is 1-5 going into Thursday night's A&M game

This time last year, Arkansas-Pine Bluff was in the midst of one of the biggest turnarounds in school history.

The Golden Lions opened the season losing three of their first four games, but beat Tuskegee in the Gateway Classic that started a string of seven straight victories that carried them to the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division title and a berth in the championship game.

Alabama A&M downed UAPB 22-13 in the title game. With a number of their top players returning, the Golden Lions were picked to repeat as West Division champions during the league's annual media day.

But UAPB hasn't lived up to the hype.

The Golden Lions are 1-5 overall and 1-3 in league play heading in Thursday night's game at Alabama A&M. Kickoff is 6:30 and the game will be televised live on ESPNU.

"This is one of the strangest seasons I've ever been in," UAPB coach Mo Forte said earlier this week. "We're 1-5 and five of those games have been on the road. This is the second Thursday night game we've had and both of them have been on the road and you only have two days to prepare.

"But, we're not going to complain. It's football and we're going to play the hand that we've been dealt."

Few expected the Golden Lions to be out of the West Division race this early.

Quarterback Chris Wallace, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, was benched after two games. Running back Martel Mallett, who had almost 1,300 yards rushing and led the league with 15 touchdowns a year ago, has just 240 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Jason Jones has been productive with 28 catches for 435 yards and two touchdowns, but even his numbers are down compared to last season.

The biggest problem, Forte said, has been UAPB's disappointing play along the offensive line. The Golden Lions have allowed 28 sacks through six games.

"We've struggled there," he said. "We've had a tough time with them. They've gotten better every week, but it hasn't been good enough to put a 'W' on the board."

UAPB suffered yet another tough loss Saturday as Grambling outlasted the Golden Lions 30-24 in Little Rock. It was UAPB's fourth loss by seven points or less this season.

"We've lost games by 2, 3, 6 and 7 points and all have been with under a minute left in the game," Forte said.

UAPB hurt itself with five turnovers and had more than 100 yards in penalties.

"You can't do that against a quality football team like Grambling and expect to beat them," Forte said.

About the visit to A&M, Forte said: "Our kids don't quit. We're going to play hard."

Alabama A&M notebook

Huntsville Times

Despite record, Golden Lions concern Jones

Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones admits Arkansas-Pine Bluff scares him. The Golden Lions should.

UAPB (1-5 overall, 1-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference) has been in virtually every game aside from being blown out at nationally ranked Southern Illinois.

That includes a 20-17 loss at New Mexico State in a game where the Aggies kicked a field goal as time expired to escape with the victory.

"I know the potential that UAPB has," Jones said. "They have a good coaching staff. They were picked to win the West. They're putting their stuff together. They've been in all of their games except one. This is a team you can't overlook. They're going to be very, very tough."

The Golden Lions came within an eyelash of knocking off West Division-leading Grambling on Saturday in Little Rock before falling 30-24.

"Anytime you play Grambling down to the wire, it says something about your program and about your team," Jones said. They're playing everybody tough. I know this team is capable of beating us.

They proved that last year. They're a team that concerns me."

Contract still unsigned:Jones had hoped to sign his contract last week, but after reviewing it, he gave it back to athletic director Betty Austin with some revisions.

"I gave my thoughts to it and now I'm just waiting," said Jones, who gave the contract back to Austin on Thursday. "I'm hoping everything is going in a positive manner. I'm not really concerned with that now. I'm just waiting to hear back from there."

The school's board of trustees approved a package last summer that would pay Jones a total package of $155,000, which would make him the fourth-highest paid coach in the league.

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.

For more information, contact the A&M ticket office at 372-4059. The offer ends Wednesday at 5 p.m.

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.

The A&M ticket office will be open this week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Reggie Benson

Alabama A&M notebook

Huntsville Times

Injured Moody, Baxter back at practice

Tight end Charles Moody and wide receiver Nate Baxter returned to practice Sunday as Alabama A&M began preparations for Thursday night's home game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Kickoff is 6:30 and the game will be televised live on ESPNU.

Moody, who injured his left arch in the second quarter more than a week ago against Southern and never returned, practiced for the first time since sustaining the injury. Meanwhile, Baxter practiced for the first time since sustaining a severely sprained right ankle against Mississippi Valley State a month ago.

"Those two guys benefited from having some time off," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "They got through practice pretty good and hopefully they'll feel better tomorrow and by gametime they'll be close to 100 percent."

Moody is A&M's second-leading receiver with 21 catches for 214 yards and two touchdowns. Baxter has five catches for 48 yards and one touchdown.

Jones likes practice: After taking Friday and Saturday off, the Bulldogs practiced for more than two hours Sunday and Jones was encouraged with his team's effort.

"It was a good practice," said Jones, although a few players were late. "We put in our game plan. Everybody was attentive. It was a good start for us."

Due to the short week, Jones said the Bulldogs had to alter practice.

A&M, which usually has Monday off, will practice tonight, Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning in preparation for Thursday's game.

Jones hits links: Jones spent the early part of last week on the golf course, but despite giving the players a couple of days off, he found himself back in the office over the weekend.

"I finished the game plan Friday and I finished the practice schedule Saturday," he said. "I worked some every day, but it was nice. I got a chance to spend time with my family."

Furthermore: Five different players have scored rushing touchdowns for A&M, while seven different players have caught touchdown passes. ... A&M has scored 29 touchdowns through six games. The Bulldogs scored 40 all of last season. ... Eighteen different players have at least 10 tackles or more. ... A&M has fumbled only four times in six games and has lost only one of them. ... Quarterback Kelcy Luke threw just eight interceptions last season. He has thrown six through six games this season. ... Luke threw 16 touchdown passes last season. He has 16 already this season.

Reggie Benson

Halfway home: AAMU Bulldogs

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

Bulldogs sitting pretty with big weekend on tap

Mathematically, only three teams appear to be out of the race for a berth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game as the league reaches its halfway point.

In the Eastern Division, Mississippi Valley State and Alcorn State, 1-4 and 0-4 respectively in league play, are looking up at Jackson State, defending champion Alabama A&M and Alabama State.

In the Western Division, lowly Texas Southern, 0-4 in league play, has been eliminated. Grambling has a one-game lead over Southern, followed by Prairie View and defending champion Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

A couple of more teams could be eliminated this weekend.

The game of the week has Jackson State at Southern. The Jaguars, coming off a loss to Alabama A&M, are trying to keep pace with Grambling. The Tigers, who host Grambling next week and visit A&M Nov. 3, appear to have a tough road to the title game.

Alabama State hosts Prairie View - with the loser eliminated from contention.

Overall, A&M appears to have the inside track in the Eastern Division, while Grambling has latched on to the favorite's role in the Western Division.

The Bulldogs host UAPB Thursday night, take on Alabama State on Oct. 27 and host JSU on Nov. 3 before closing out the season at Alcorn State and Prairie View.

"We're in a good place," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "We control our own destiny and that's all I'm concerned about. As long as I'm focused on what we can do and what we need to do, we'll be fine."

A&M and JSU have separated themselves from the rest of the pack in the Eastern Division, while Grambling and Southern have done the same thing in the Western Division.

Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow isn't surprised.

"They're good teams," said Barlow, whose team started 4-0 before dropping its last two games. "A&M was picked to win the East and Jackson State wasn't far behind. Coach Jones is doing an outstanding job. He always has. His guys have bought into what he wants to get done.

"Southern and Grambling have great talent. Those are four really good teams and they have their guys ready to compete and play at a high level."

JSU coach Rick Comegy, whose team started 5-1 last season before losing four of its last five games, was nonchalant about where his team stands.

"I really don't know," he said when asked to assess the East Division race. "I still look at it as being early in the season. The teams that have to play one another haven't shown what direction it's going to go.

"We just want to play football and we welcome all challenges. "We don't want to try to predict what will happen."

Even so, Broadway was reluctant to talk about his team's chances to win the Western Division title.

"I don't get caught up in that stuff," he said. "The only thing I see is UAPB. I don't get too far ahead of myself."

Under Broadway, the Tigers have already surpassed their win total from last year.

Southern coach Pete Richardson doesn't shy away from his team's goals.

The Jaguars haven't reached the championship game since 2004. Southern's last title came in 2003.

"Our goal is to get to that championship game," said Richardson, who also is fighting for a new contract. "We lost one last week and that's going to make it tough.

"We've got a big tradition of getting to the championship game and it's hard to get away from that. Hopefully, we can reach our goals."

Experience may pay off for AAMU Bulldogs

By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

Returnees hope to put A&M back on winning path

Two years after winning the school's first Southwestern Athletic Conference men's basketball championship, Alabama A&M's program hit rock bottom.

The Bulldogs, fielding a team made up primarily of freshmen and sophomores, finished 10-20 and failed to reach the SWAC Tournament.

However, A&M coach Vann Pettaway says the experience gained from last year's disappointing season has provided the impetus his team needs to turn things around.

"I'm looking forward to this season," said Pettaway, who is beginning his 22nd campaign at A&M. "On paper, we're still a young team, but these guys have grown up. Hopefully, we can go out and redeem ourselves from last year."

If the Bulldogs are to redeem themselves, they will do so with Mickell Gladness and Trant Simpson leading the way.

Gladness, A&M's 6-foot-11, 205-pound senior center, is the league's reigning Defensive Player of the Year. He led the nation in blocked shots, averaging more than six per game and also set the single-game record with 16 against Texas Southern.

While Gladness' prowess has been on the defensive end, Pettaway needs him to be more effective on the offensive end.

"He has to step up and be a threat for us," he said. "I'm looking for four more points and four more rebounds per game. That will make him a double-double guy and take some of the pressure off of our perimeter people."

Simpson, the league's Freshman of the Year, was A&M's top perimeter player a year ago. He averaged 13 points and six assists while shooting 81 percent from the foul line.

"Trant had a really good freshman year and he's only going to get better," Pettaway said. "We had to play him too many minutes and we've added some depth to that position and we hope that will make our team better."

Junior Norris Arnold, 6-8 and 225 pounds, will back up Gladness at center, while Jonathan Inman and Jonathan Belt, a pair of rugged sophomores, will split time at power forward. Inman is 6-5 and 215, while Belt is 6-6 and 235.

"Inman played real well down the stretch last year," Pettaway said. "We're counting on both of those guys to give us some scoring punch inside."

Kudus Ogbara, who was granted a medical redshirt last year after sustaining a knee injury, will play both forward spots, Pettaway said.

The Bulldogs have an ample amount of talent at small forward, shooting guard and point guard.

Sophomores LaNorris Smith and Andrew Williams will compete for the starting job at small forward.

Smith, 6-4 and 215, is regarded as the team's best athlete. Williams, also 6-4 and 215, isn't far behind.

"Smith has to pick it up," Pettaway said. "He has shown some signs in preseason practice that he may be ready to come around. He was a little heavy last year, but he's lighter and leaner this year.

"He has looked impressive in preseason workouts and he has that look in his eye. He's a very gifted athlete. He's got to have his motor running every game."

Sophomore Cornelius Hester returns at shooting guard, but will be challenged by redshirt freshman Desmond Jackson and junior Evan Hilton.

Hester averaged 10.4 points per game, but shot just 35 percent from the field, including 29 percent from 3-point range. Jackson has been solid in preseason workouts, Pettaway said, while Hilton hopefully will emerge after splitting time between shooting guard and point guard the last two seasons.

"Jackson can put the ball in the basket," Pettaway said. "We think we have created a very competitive situation by grouping those three guys together."

Simpson is the clear leader at point guard, but freshmen Jabari Deshields and Reggie Porter will also see playing time.

"We expect more from this cast of players," Pettaway said. "If Mickell can shoulder some of the offensive production in the paint and we can stay healthy, I like our chances."

Alabama A&M University Maroon and White Marching Band

Plenty of good happening at SU, in SWAC

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

In the wake of Southern’s first loss of this football season and Monday’s unprompted inflammatory remarks from Jackson State coach Rick Comegy, here’s a good time to talk about what’s good at Southern U.

Pete Richardson. There hasn’t been a week that’s gone by when, in evaluating the coaching matchups for a Saturday game, the edge hasn’t gone to Southern.

The man has been good, steady, honest, decent. He’s a winner. He’s a treasure, for Southern and for Baton Rouge. This is the final year of his contract, and he’s shown all season why he is who he is. Almost weekly, a Southwestern Athletic Conference coach says so, including Comegy on Monday.

He’s 62, in great health, and he’s as loyal as always.

“I want to be at Southern,” Richardson said Monday.

Southern’s offensive line. The Jaguars were doing amazing with six guys taking all the snaps. Saturday, center Demarcus Stewart went down with a calf injury and further complicated matters.

How are they doing what they’re doing? Heart, guts and good coaching from Damon Nivens.

Wide receiver Gerard Landry. The way the senior co-captain scored SU’s final touchdown in a 33-28 loss to Alabama A&M said it all Saturday. On a fourth-and-long, he had to fight to hold his position to even make a catch on the first down, then he had to get through two guys at the goal line. He’s been determined all season.

Defensive end Vince Lands. Top-notch scholar, athlete. All heart. Relentless.
Strong safety Glenn Bell. Inspirational leader. Fiery, yet eloquent. When he says he’d play defensive end if you asked him, believe it.

Quarterback Bryant Lee. A winner in high school and a winner in college. Still learning. The joy in college football is right here in Lee: It’s fun watching the sophomore grow up before our eyes.

Running back Darren Coates. Richardson called the senior, who battled academic issues that sidelined him for two years and then worked his way up the depth chart, the team’s MVP. The guy stuck with it to get where he is. That’s what it’s all about.

Free safety Jarmaul George. The other co-captain came back to Southern, gave this place another chance last season, and is doing everything he said he’d do. Here’s a guy who really grew up and matured. It’s fun to watch guys like Lee while they’re growing. It’s fun to watch guys like George when they’re all grown up.

Defensive tackles Dwayne Charles and Joseph Selders. Smart guys. Personable guys. Hard-working guys.

Linebacker Gary Chatman. Unfazed by missing two seasons of football. Getting better by the game.

Southern’s fans and the people around campus. Warm, friendly, passionate.
SWAC fans, coaches, players and bands. The SWAC is special, and the people make it so. Kids trying to grow up and better themselves. Coaches and teachers who help them do so. Great stuff, daily.

Certainly, there is more good.

Southern University Jaguars Human Jukebox Marching Band

Alabama A&M notebook

Photo: SWAC pre-season defensive player of the year, FS Jarmaul George is just one of the many game breakers that SU has available to stop opponents.

Huntsville Times

Bulldogs have concerns about secondary

Alabama A&M's secondary had held up pretty well in wins over Tennessee State, Clark Atlanta and Mississippi Valley State. The Bulldogs had allowed under 160 yards per game in those three victories.

However, A&M gave up 235 yards in a 31-6 loss at Grambling and then allowed a season-high 352 yards in Saturday's 48-24 win over Texas Southern as quarterback Tino Edgecombe was 29-of-59 with three touchdowns and three interceptions.

While A&M coach Anthony Jones voiced some concerns about the Bulldogs' secondary play, he admitted the nature of the game dictated some of the things that happened.

"They were trailing throughout the game and that forced them to throw the ball almost 60 times," he said. "We had three interceptions and we had our hands on a few more that we let slip away."

But Jones admitted the Bulldogs would have to play a lot better if they hoped to beat Southern this weekend.

The Jaguars are 5-0 overall and 3-0 in SWAC play after beating Alabama State 21-2 Saturday.

"We'll go back to the drawing board and try to make some adjustments to curb that," Jones said in reference to his team's problems in the secondary.

"We know if Southern has that kind of success against us the results won't be the same."

A different Southern team: Southern's best teams under coach Pete Richardson have usually been highly productive through the air.

This year's squad has been effective throwing the football with sophomore quarterback Bryant Lee. But the Jaguars have been equally impressive running the ball, led by senior Darren Coates, who has been among the SWAC's top rushers.

"They're going to run the football," Jones said. "They still have a relatively young quarterback and their coaches are doing a great job of putting him in situations where he can manage the game.

"They're going to try to run the ball and we've got to be geared up to stop it. They've got some serious weapons when they throw the ball. (Gerard) Landry is really fast. They are an explosive unit. They're going to be a group that will be hard to contain."

A little worried in warmups: Jones is usually pretty good about gauging his team during pregame warmups. That wasn't the case Saturday.

Fortunately for A&M, it worked out as the Bulldogs rolled to an easy win over Texas Southern.

"Coach (Ben) Blacknall and I talked during pregame and we were trying to figure out which team was going to show up," Jones said. "I couldn't make a good assessment. Either we were going to come out and explode or lay an egg.

"Thank God we exploded."

A&M scored on four of its first five possessions and rolled up 514 yards in total offense.

Reggie Benson

Alabama A&M after Southern harmony

By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

'Dogs hope second trip to Louisiana more fruitful

Alabama A&M failed miserably in its first big test of the season. On Saturday, the Bulldogs hope to pass their second one.

They will travel to Baton Rouge, La., to take on Southern in a big Southwestern Athletic Conference game at Mumford Stadium. Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m.

The Jaguars, coming off back-to-back losing seasons for the first time in Pete Richardson's tenure, have been the class of the conference so far. Southern is 5-0 overall and 3-0 in league play following Saturday's 21-2 thumping of previously unbeaten Alabama State.

"They're playing the best football in the conference right now," A&M coach Anthony Jones said Sunday. "They're the only undefeated team left. When Pete has them playing this way, they're hard to handle.

"Then, you've got to do it on the road in front of their crowd and their fans. It's their homecoming and I guarantee you they'll have close to 40,000 there."

A&M failed to show up just over a week ago in its first trip to Louisiana. Grambling whipped the Bulldogs 31-6, limiting A&M's potent offense to a pair of Jeremy Licea field goals and only 147 total yards.

However, quarterback Kelcy Luke and company got back on track Saturday as the Bulldogs whipped Texas Southern 48-24. A&M rolled up 514 yards in total offense, including 308 on the ground, to take out the Tigers.

The Bulldogs scored on four of their first five possessions and topped the 40-point mark for the fourth time in five games.

"I liked our focus when we came out and the energy that we had," Jones said.

It'll take that same kind of focus and energy, Jones said, if A&M is going to come away with a win over a Southern team that is playing as well as it has since winning the SWAC and the black college national championship in 2003.

"Coach Richardson has them playing great football right now," Jones said. "He is the dean of this conference for a reason. He's been here the longest for a reason and it's very, very evident this year why he has the record he's had over the years.

"He's going to have his team ready to play. I've got to do the same thing."

That wasn't the case against Grambling, but Jones predicted his team would be ready to play this time around.

"I think our guys will be up for this game," he said. "We're not going down there just to be going down there."

Alabama A&M notebook

Huntsville Times

Bulldogs gobble up ground

Alabama A&M's running game, which was limited to 30 yards rushing in a 31-6 loss last week at Grambling, showed up Saturday afternoon against Texas Southern.

The Bulldogs finished with a season-high 308 yards on 46 carries as five different players had 30 or more yards.

Ulysses Banks led with 112 yards on 17 carries. Anthony Green had 60 yards on nine carries, Generion McWhorter had 40 yards on three carries, Kevin McCants had 39 yards on four carries and quarterback Kelcy Luke had 32 yards on eight carries.

Harris on the move

Thomas Harris, a sophomore wide receiver, was involved in the running game early on.

On Alabama A&M's second play from scrimmage, Harris went 22 yards on a reverse that helped set up Banks' 9-yard touchdown run.

Cummings a force early

Defensive end Dominique Cummings has played behind Chris Traylor for much of his career, but the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder made his presence felt early against Texas Southern.

Cummings had a pass breakup on the Tigers' second possession of the game to force a field goal and later in the first quarter came up with his first sack of the season when he dropped quarterback Tino Edgecombe for a 6-yard loss.

Unfortunately for A&M, the Tigers came back to score on the next play as Edgecombe found B.J. Haith with a 32-yard touchdown pass.

Donaldson swipes pass No. 2

Free safety Al Donaldson took over the team lead in interceptions early in the second quarter.

Donaldson, a junior from Crawfordsville, Fla., picked off an Edgecombe pass early in the second quarter that led to a 12-yard touchdown pass from Luke to Gerald Stockdale.

Donaldson, who had four tackles and three pass breakups, now has two interceptions on the season. He had one in the season opener against Tennessee State that also led to a touchdown.

Luke picked off again

Luke threw his fourth interception of the season on Alabama A&M's first possession of the second quarter.

The Bulldogs had moved from their own 31 to a first down at the Texas Southern 40. Two plays later, facing a third-and-four from the 34, Luke's poorly thrown ball, intended for Rashad Johnson, was picked off by Texas Southern's Chris Salvant.

Luke threw just eight interceptions all of last season.

McWhorter an opportunist

McWhorter, a fullback, hadn't gotten many opportunities through Alabama A&M's first four games, but he had made the most of them.

Going into Saturday's game, McWhorter had only 40 yards on five carries, but was averaging a whopping 8.0 yards per carry. He topped that average in the first half against Texas Southern.

A 5-foot-10, 208-pound redshirt freshman out of Jasper, McWhorter had 40 yards on three carries, including a 27-yard jaunt to help set up Luke's 12-yard touchdown pass to Stockdale midway through the second quarter.

Stockdale scores his first TD

Saturday was a big day for Stockdale.

A 6-2, 223-pound junior from Talladega, hadn't scored a touchdown during his career. However, that all changed when quarterback Luke found Stockdale with a 12-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter.

"I saw the coverage a couple of plays before the touchdown," said Stockdale, who had three catches for 37 yards.

"I knew Kelcy was going to get it to me quick and I had to get in the end zone."

Harper picks off Edgecombe

Not only did defensive tackle Justin Harper make his first start of the season Saturday against Texas Southern, he also got his first career interception.

Harper, who lost his job to Whitney Garrett last spring and underwent surgery during the preseason on his left thumb, had a sack early in the third quarter and then recorded his first interception early in the fourth quarter.

Edgecombe's pass was tipped by defensive end Traylor and Harper was there to pick it off.

"I almost dropped it," Harper said. "It rolled around in my hands, but I finally got a hold of it."

Opponents are ex-teammates

Alabama A&M defensive back Stephan Tucker and Texas Southern's Edgecombe were former teammates during their Pop Warner football days in Miami.

"We were real cool," Tucker remembered.

Tucker was 2-1 against Edgecome entering Saturday's game.

"I just want to win," he said. "I'm not worried about any personal battles. I just want to get this win and go on to the next game."

Tucker forced Edgecombe to fumble early in the third quarter and recovered it. He finished with four tackles. Edgecombe completed 29-of-59 passes for 352 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.

However, Tucker came away with a 48-24 victory.

Praise for Bulldogs

Texas Southern quarterback Steve Wilson said Alabama A&M was the best team the Tigers have faced in the Southwestern Athletic Conference because of Luke.

"There's a lot of things you can do with a senior quarterback," Wilson said. "He's the difference. He's a good runner, a good passer and he checks off well at the line of scrimmage.

"As long as they keep him healthy, they'll have a chance."

Furthermore

The 28 points A&M scored in the first half were the most the Bulldogs have scored in the first half this season. ... Luke has thrown at least three touchdown passes in four of A&M's five games this season. ... A&M place-kicker Jeremy Licea has made eight straight field goals dating back to last year's Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game.

Reggie Benson

AAMU Bulldogs regain bite, 48--24 over Texas Southern

By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

A&M offense roars again for landslide homecoming win

There would be no upset this time around. Alabama A&M's offense made sure of that.

The Bulldogs scored on four of their first five possessions, rolled up more than 500 yards in total offense and simply overpowered Texas Southern on homecoming Saturday afternoon.

When it was over, A&M ran off to celebrate a 48-24 victory before an announced crowd of 13,745 at Louis Crews Stadium and exorcised some demons from two years ago when the Tigers came to town and spoiled homecoming with a shocking 17-7 win.

"We couldn't let it happen," said offensive lineman James Sanders, referring to another homecoming loss. "I wasn't going to let it happen."

Sanders and the rest of his offensive linemates certainly did their part.

A week after managing only 147 yards in a 31-6 loss to Grambling, A&M dominated Texas Southern's porous defense.

How good were the Bulldogs?

A&M finished with 514 yards in total offense and 33 first downs.

Tailback Ulysses Banks finished with 112 yards on 17 carries and scored a touchdown.

It is the third time in five games Banks has topped the 100-yard mark this season.

A&M finished with 308 yards rushing on 46 carries as five different players had 30 or more yards. A&M averaged a whopping 6.7 yards per carry.

Quarterback Kelcy Luke completed 19-of-34 passes for 206 yards and an interception, not overly impressive numbers, but he threw four touchdown passes.

Seven players caught passes, including four with three or more.

"We needed this," Luke said. "This puts us back on track. We wanted to show people we are the same team that put up big numbers the first three weeks."

The win lifted A&M to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Texas Southern fell to 0-5 and 0-4.

The Bulldogs started fast.

After forcing Texas Southern to punt on its first possession, Luke engineered an eight-play, 77-yard drive to put A&M on the board.

Banks, who had 45 yards on four carries on the drive, capped it with a 9-yard run less than three minutes into the game.

The Tigers trimmed the margin to 7-3 after Djavan Conway kicked a 30-yard field goal, but Luke found tight end John Smith with a 4-yard touchdown pass to put the Bulldogs up 14-3. A&M extended its lead to 21-3 when Luke hit Thomas Harris with a 20-yard touchdown pass with just less than three minutes left in the first quarter.

The Bulldogs had 206 yards in total offense in the first quarter, including 137 yards on the ground. Banks had 82 of them on nine carries.

"We wanted to establish our running game and then put them back on their heels and take advantage of whatever opportunities we had through the air," A&Mcoach Anthony Jones said.

The plan worked perfectly.

Luke found Gerald Stockdale with a 12-yard touchdown pass to put A&M ahead 28-10 midway through the first half. Texas Southern responded with a 15-play, 69-yard drive to pull to within 28-17 at intermission, but couldn't get any closer.

The Bulldogs scored 20 unanswered points in the second half and won going away.

"We got to within 11 before halftime and felt good about that, but they came out and made some more plays," Texas Southern coach Steve Wilson said. "We knew they would be fired up.

"Offensively, they've got a good scheme. Their tight ends did a good job and they converted a lot of first downs.

"That was the difference in the game."

A&M place-kicker Jeremy Licea booted a 32-yard field goal to make it 31-17 early in the third quarter.

Luke found Thomas near the end of the quarter with a 27-yard touchdown pass to put the Bulldogs ahead 38-17.

Licea added another field - a career-long 42-yarder - early in the fourth quarter and fullback Kevin McCants' 30-yard jaunt rounded out the scoring for A&M.

"This gets our hopes up," said Harris, who had six catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns. "This was a confidence builder for us after last week's game."

Banks agreed.

"We needed this win," he said. "That wasn't our team last week."

The win offset a strong effort from Texas Southern's Tino Edgecombe, who completed 29-of-59 passes for 352 yards. He threw three touchdowns, but also threw three interceptions.

Wide receiver B.J. Haith had nine catches for 133 yards and a touchdown, and Roland Robins had seven catches for 73 yards.

"(Edgecombe) was as good as he could be," Jones said. "We battered him.

"He made some plays, but we forced him into some bad throws and turnovers."

AAMU Soccer Bulldogs fill in holes, roll

By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

The Alabama A&M men's soccer team got off to a rough start with losses in four of its first five games, but Salah Yousif's squad has picked up momentum over the last couple of weeks.

The Bulldogs have won two of their last three games and will host the A&M Invitational Saturday and Sunday at John Hunt Park.

A&M will take on Houston Baptist at 11 a.m. Saturday, and Air Force will play Central Arkansas at 1 p.m. On Sunday, Central Arkansas and Houston Baptist collide at noon followed by A&M and Air Force at 2 p.m. Admission is free.

"We're excited about the way we're playing right now," said Yousif, whose team has lost four games by one goal apiece. "Early on, we didn't have enough athletes because guys were either hampered by nagging injuries or hadn't been cleared.

"We're healthier now and we have a bench to work with and that's the difference right now."

Striker Kun Chamjock (Gallatin, Tenn.), defender Mustefa Ahmed (Uganda) and midfielder Eric Kamya (Hyattsville, Md.) were recently cleared to play and Yousif says they have helped immensely.

"Those three guys have made a huge difference," he said. "(Goalkeeper) Paul Musoke has also been terrific."

MfanaFuthi Bhembe and Mosito Ranko, who had surgery on both knees during the offseason, have also been terrific. Through eight games, they are tied for the team lead with eight points apiece.

Chargers have momentum: If pre-conference results are any indication, UAH men's soccer coach Carlos Petersen may be right about his team being a contender for the Gulf South Conference championship

UAH opened the season 1-4, including losses to No. 10 Lynn, No. 9 Rollins and No. 10 Nova Southeastern. Since then, however, the Chargers have reeled off three wins in a row, including a 2-1 victory over No. 25 Barry University.

With four wins, UAH has equaled its win total from last season. The Chargers will try to make it four in a row when Fisk University visits Sunday at 1 p.m. UAH opens GSC play Friday at Ouachita Baptist.

Lady Chargers face UNA: UAH will begin its quest for a berth in the GSC women's soccer tournament today when it visits North Alabama.

The Lady Chargers had their four-game winning streak snapped last weekend in a 5-0 loss to Georgia College, but Lincoln Ziyenge believes his team will bounce back today.

UAH, Ziyenge says, must be able to put two halves together to win in the GSC.

The Lady Chargers have outscored their opponents 12-5 in the first half, but have been outscored 11-6 in the second. UAH has scored 17 goals in five wins, but just one goal in three losses.

Missing Kanda: A&M women's soccer coach Frank Davies knew the Bulldogs would miss Belinda Kanda. He didn't know they'd miss her this much.

With Kanda, A&M led the nation in scoring last season. Without her, the Bulldogs have struggled.

A&M, 1-5-1 on the season, has scored just 10 goals this year and has been shut out four times. However, Kanda, who has been playing with Ghana's national team during the World Cup, could be back next week when the Bulldogs visit Austin Peay on Monday or play Texas Southern next Sunday.

Kanda led the nation in goals per game (1.25) and points per game (3.06) last season.

UAH in bind: Three games into GSC play, the UAH volleyball team finds itself needing a win to have a shot at the playoffs.

The Chargers are 6-15 overall and 0-3 in league play and play their three remaining conference games on the road.

UAH visits Valdosta State on Saturday, West Florida on Sunday and West Georgia on Tuesday.

The Chargers opened the season 3-2, but have lost 13 of their last 16 matches.

Bulldogs need turnaround: After more than two weeks off, A&M volleyball coach Nedra Brown is eager to get her young team back on the court.

Since beating Albany State in the season opener on Sept. 4, the Bulldogs have dropped four straight matches and three of those were in straight sets. Brown and the Bulldogs hope to turn their season around starting Tuesday when they visit Alabama State in the Southwestern Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

Alabama A&M notebook

Huntsville Times

Harper slated to start against Texas Southern

Defensive tackle Justin Harper, who was named Alabama A&M's co-defensive Player of the Week for his effort against Grambling last week, will start Saturday against Texas Southern, defensive line coach Ben Blacknall said Wednesday.

Harper, who lost his job to Whitney Garrett last spring and had surgery on his thumb during preseason practice and missed the season opener against Tennessee State, will start at left tackle in place of Renaldo Askew, Blacknall said. Garrett will make his fifth consecutive start at right tackle.

"He played better than any defensive tackle we had," Blacknall said of Harper's effort against the Tigers. "He deserves an opportunity to start."

The Bulldogs, who have annually been among the league's best against the run, are seventh in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in rushing defense, allowing 127 yards per game.

Harper, a 6-foot-2, 252-pound junior from Gulfport, Miss., was credited with nine tackles, including six solos, two tackles for loss and a sack while grading out 92 percent.

Early starter: Texas Southern coach Steve Wilson said if he had to do it over again he would have redshirted quarterback Tino Edgecombe.

A 6-2, 185-pound senior from Miami, Edgecombe was pressed into action as a freshman and Wilson said that has affected him throughout his career.

"Tino had to come through a situation where we had to play him as a freshman and we didn't have people to protect him and that hindered his growth," Wilson said. "He had some breakout games last season, but we haven't been able to get him in a rhythm this season.

"Part of it is our offensive line being unsettled. He made some plays last week (against UTEP) that proved he can be an outstanding quarterback."

Edgecombe is fourth in the league in passing yards per game, averaging 162.5 yards.

He has completed 64-of-112 passes (57.1 percent) for 650 yards, three touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Smith likes ball distribution: A&M tight end John Smith admits he would like to see a few more balls thrown his way, but he says he can't complain with the way quarterback Kelcy Luke is distributing the football.

Ten players have caught passes and six different players have caught touchdown passes.

Wide receiver Thomas Harris and tight end Charles Moody have 17 catches apiece. Smith has eight followed by wide receivers Rashad Johnson and Gerald Stockdale, who have six apiece.

"The distribution is pretty good," said Smith, who has eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. "We've got a lot of talent out there. No one person is above the team."

Reggie Benson

Alabama A&M notebook

Huntsville Times

Totten looking for leaders at receiver.

Alabama A&M receivers coach Roger Totten has been pleased with the play of his young group, but admits he's looking for some of them to emerge as leaders.

The Bulldogs have used five different players at wide receiver, but there are no seniors among the bunch.

The group includes seldom-used juniors Gerald Stockdale and Paul Kellum, sophomore Thomas Harris and redshirt freshmen Nate Baxter and Rashad Johnson.

"I'm trying to find a leader," Totten said. "That's something we haven't found yet ... a guy that's going to step up. Leadership is very important when you have a lot of young players.

"Sometimes, guys have to be put in leadership roles when they don't want to be or they have to be put in roles because they're in a position to be a leader. We need some of those guys to step up."

Totten said the likely candidates include Stockdale, Harris, Baxter and Johnson.

"All four of those guys have the same personality," he said. "We need them to be more involved in what we're doing and be more vocal."

Jones excited about practice:

The Bulldogs practiced for more than two hours Tuesday as they began preparations for Saturday's homecoming game against Texas Southern. Kickoff is 3 p.m. at Louis Crews Stadium.

"We had a real good practice," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "Our guys were attentive. They had a desire to learn. We made some mistakes, but it wasn't because of a lack of effort ... it wasn't because guys weren't trying to understand. This was a good bounce back day for us."

Baxter status up in the air: Baxter, who sustained an ankle injury against Mississippi Valley State and didn't play in last week's 31-6 loss to Grambling, didn't practice Tuesday.

His status for Saturday's game against Texas Southern is up in the air.

Totten was unsure if Baxter would be available against the Tigers.

"I really don't know," Totten said. "He's still working on it ... trying to get it ready, but I really don't know."

Reggie Benson