Alabama A&M football: Nelson fueled by something extra

Bryan Nelson
 Sophomore, Starting Fullback #42
From Jess Lanier High School
Bessemer, Alabama

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - When Alabama A&M fullback Bryan Nelson takes the field Saturday, he'll be trying to help the Bulldogs win the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship. He'll also be playing for his brother.

Nelson's older brother, Tavoris Mitchell, passed away more than a year ago due to complications from open heart surgery. He had had open heart surgery six years ago. Mitchell was just 34 years old and his birthday is Saturday.

"I broke down after we beat Prairie View because I knew we would be playing on his birthday," Nelson said. "He was like my father. He never missed a game. My mom and dad worked two jobs and my brother had me with him all the time."

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Alcorn falls to Alabama A&M

LORMAN, Mississippi — The Alcorn State defense did its part to pull off a SWAC upset of Alabama A&M Saturday afternoon at Jack Spinks Marino Casem Stadium, but the offense gave away two turnovers for touchdowns and was unable to put up enough points to get the Braves the win.

“I thought we came out and fought like champions,” Braves’ head coach Melvin Spears said. “We just can’t afford to make the little mistakes we made.”

Alcorn jumped out to a 7-0 lead early, but Alabama A&M was able to take the lead by the end of the first quarter with a 49-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown and a 30-yard interception return for a score. The Braves fought back to tie, but the Bulldogs were too much for the Braves in the fourth quarter and added two touchdowns to win 28-14.

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Alabama A&M football: MAKE IT SEVEN

LORMAN, Mississippi - Alabama A&M football coach Anthony Jones may not have been looking ahead to Jackson State, but his team certainly was Saturday. The Bulldogs came out flat as a pancake against an Alcorn State team that had beaten the likes of Mississippi Valley State and Concordia-Selma.

Fortunately, Jones got their attention at halftime, and they escaped danger. Free safety Rico Porch and cornerback Clarence Morris came away with defensive touchdowns in the first quarter and quarterback Deaunte Mason, and running back Kaderius Lacey scored on short touchdown runs in the fourth quarter as A&M downed Alcorn State 28-14 at Spinks-Casem Stadium.

"We had an attitude adjustment at halftime," said Lacey, who finished with 158 yards rushing, including 144 in the second half. "We didn't play to the best of our ability in the first half. We know how bad we want it, and we didn't want to blow our season like that.

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Alabama A&M sports: Athletics director Betty Austin will retire at the end of the month

Betty Kelly Austin
Director of Athletics, AAMU

Huntsville, Alabama -- Alabama A&M athletics director Betty Austin will retire at the end of the month, The Times has learned. Sources told The Times that Austin has agreed to stay on through Feb. 29 while the school conducts a search for a new athletics director.

Austin, a 1974 A&M graduate, has spent the last six-plus years as athletics director after taking over for the late Jim Martin. Before becoming athletics director, Austin served in a number of capacities, most notably as the volleyball coach, where she led the Bulldogs to unprecedented success, and Senior Woman Administrator.

Austin captured more than 600 wins during her 30-year tenure as volleyball coach. A&M won 17 conference championships, including 11 as a Division II member in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and six as a Division I member in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, during her illustrious career. She was named SWAC Coach of the Year during each of her championship seasons.

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This Magic City Classic is the biggest yet

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- There's big, and there's bigger. Then, there's the Magic City Classic.
Particularly the one coming up Saturday afternoon at Birmingham's Legion Field.

"Opportunities like this," Alabama A&M football coach Anthony Jones said earlier this week, "are rare."

Oh, there's the usual pomp surrounding the annual football game/fashion show/band battle - not necessarily in that order, of course - but the circumstance is even more intriguing in this, the 70th edition of the event.



Alabama State is 6-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. A&M is 4-1. Alabama State is ranked No. 1 in the latest Sheridan Broadcasting Network poll. A&M is No. 5.

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Magic City Classic a fierce rivalry

Birmingham, Alabama -- There are a number of rivalries in college football on every level. However, there are very few if any like the one between Alabama State and Alabama A&M.

Alabama State is in Montgomery. Alabama A&M is in Huntsville. The two school get together annually in Birmingham at Legion Field for the Magic City Classic. When Alabama State clashes with Alabama A&M on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU, 10:30 p.m. ET on tape delay), this will be 70 years for this legendary black college classic. Moreover, they're expecting 70,000 fans at the game.

This is actually, the 75th meeting between the rivals, the 70th in the Magic City Classic. Alabama A&M leads the overall series 36-35-3. The Bulldogs also lead the series in the Magic City Classic, 35-31-3. Last season, Alabama State ended a five-game losing streak to Alabama A&M with a 31-10 victory.



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Alabama A&M football: Fuller playing up to his potential

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Jamaal Ware and Johnny Baldwin quickly come to mind when Alabama A&M fans talk about the Bulldogs' best inside linebackers since joining the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Ware and Baldwin are first and second all-time in tackles and Baldwin led A&M to the 2006 SWAC championship and was a fifth-round draft pick by the Detroit Lions in 2007.

Willie Fuller hoped to put his name alongside that elite list when he showed up four years ago. While Fuller's numbers won't come close to those of Ware and Baldwin, his play this season is one of the reasons A&M is in the hunt for the SWAC Eastern Division championship.

"Willie has stepped up and provided great leadership for this team," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "When you assume leadership, you also assume responsibility. When you say follow me, all eyes go to you. When you make mistakes, everybody sees it. When you misstep, everybody sees it.

"Willie is a quiet guy, but ...



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Alabama A&M football: Defense turns back Texas Southern as Bulldogs extend winning streak

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Texas Southern came to town Thursday night with arguably the nation's best defense. The Tigers were first in total defense, third in pass defense and sixth in rushing defense.

Alabama A&M inside linebacker Willie Fuller was tired of hearing about Texas Southern's defense. The Bulldogs, Fuller said, had a pretty good defense, too. Fuller and company, before a national television audience on ESPNU, went out and showed it.

The Bulldogs forced four turnovers, sacked Texas Southern quarterback Riko Smalls three times, blocked a field goal and stopped the Tigers five times on fourth down and Reshaad DeJarnett hauled in a short pass from quarterback Deaunte Mason and raced 70 yards for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown with 4:15 remaining to lift A&M to an important 24-21 Southwestern Athletic Conference victory before an announced crowd of 5,386 at Lous Crews Stadiium.




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Alabama A&M football: Mason, Smith connect for big play (Notes)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Alabama A&M quarterback Deaunte Mason and wide receiver Montaurius Smith combined for the Bulldogs' longest play of the season Thursday night against Texas Southern.

On A&M's first offensive play of the game, Mason rolled out to his right and found Smith streaking down the field for a 72-yard gain before he was dragged down at the Tigers' 17-yard line.

Unfortunately, running back Kaderius Lacey fumbled two plays later to stop the drive.

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Alabama A&M: Redemption and Reshaad DeJarnett make this one must-see TV

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Mabel Lawrence, sitting up there in the early-fall chill at Louis Crews Stadium, had a sinking feeling. "Oh, Lord, my baby done dropped the ball," she said to herself, watching son Reshaad DeJarnett, an Alabama A&M freshman, botch a punt return.

"Then," she continued, "they (Texas Southern) made a touchdown and it was like, 'Oh, Lord, they're going to win because my baby done dropped the ball."

Only moments later, Lawrence, the executive director of the public housing authority in Eclectic, was on her feet instead of having head in hand.

"When he caught the ball and was running down the field, I was 'Go Reshaad! Go Reshaad! Go Reshaad! "That's my baby!"

Alabama A&M vs. Texas Southern Football Oct. 13, 2011 gallery




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Plenty at stake as Alabama A&M hosts TSU on ESPNU

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- As the calendar winds toward November and the Southwestern Athletic Conference reaches the midway point, the games get bigger and bigger.

For Alabama A&M, none is bigger than tonight's game with defending SWAC champion Texas Southern.

GAME: ALABAMA A&M vs. TEXAS SOUTHERN
DATE: THURSDAY, OCT. 13, 2011
TV: ESPNU
GAME TIME: 6:30 p.m. CT
SITE: Louis Crews Stadium, Huntsville, Alabama

The Bulldogs, who already have one league loss, are trying to stay within striking distance of East Division-leading Alabama State. If A&M wins tonight and Alabama State beats Prairie View on Saturday, first place in the Eastern Division will be on the line when the Bulldogs and Hornets collide in the Magic City Classic on Oct. 29 in Birmingham.

Meanwhile, Texas Southern is trying to keep West Division-leading Prairie View in its sights.


2011 - AAMU Field Show at the Southern Explosion BOTB

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Gov. Robert Bentley to honor first responders at Alabama A&M football game

Huntsville, Alabama -- Gov. Robert Bentley will help Alabama A&M University honor local first responders during a "Community Night" football game Thursday at Louis Crews Stadium, the university said in a news release.

Bentley will be on hand to help honor emergency workers who responded during the April 27 tornadoes and beyond. The emergency workers are invited to come to the game against Texas Southern University free of charge. The game will be televised on ESPN-U at 6:30 p.m.(C.T.).

Emergency management staff, fire and medical personnel, National Guard, soldiers and marines stationed at Redstone Arsenal, members of the print and broadcast media, and other first responders with the proper credentials can present work ID at the "Heroes Gate" located on the visitors' side of Louis Crews Stadium. Special recognition will be made to the honorees during the half-time observance.

AAMU Band - 2011 Homecoming On Campus Parade & Pep Rally



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Alabama A&M football: Milton wants to make up for snafu

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - G'Alonzo Milton spent the offseason working on his speed. Good thing, too.

Eleven months ago, Milton, a starting wide receiver for Alabama A&M, endured the most embarrassing moment of his football career when he was chased down from behind against Mississippi Valley State.

Last November, with A&M inside its 10-yard line, Milton hauled in a pass from quarterback Justin Jones and was headed toward the end zone for what appeared to be an easy touchdown. Unfortunately, Michael Boykins chased him down 92 yards later and tackled him at the 2-yard line. Two plays later, Tony Green fumbled giving the ball back to the Delta Devils.

A&M went on to win the game 21-7, but Milton hasn't been able to shake that embarrassing moment.



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Alabama A&M football: Milton's patience pays off

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - G'Alonzo Milton was Alabama A&M's top returning receiver from last year. The 6-0, 205-pound junior had 30 receptions for 517 yards and four touchdowns, but hadn't been much of a factor through the Bulldogs' first four games this season, managing just eight catches for 57 yards and a touchdown.

That all changed Saturday. Milton almost equaled his season total with seven catches for 87 yards and four touchdowns.

"I just stayed patient," Milton said. "Obviously, my time came and they can depend on me now. I'm going to enjoy this, but I'm going to stay humble. We've got a lot of mistakes to fix. We've got to keep working and prepare for next week."







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Alabama A&M Bulldogs pull off improbable comeback over UAPB

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Vandrick Jackson did a few cartwheels across the field. Clarence Morris struck a pose near the scoreboard. Several other Alabama A&M players celebrated in their own way. Meanwhile, in all of the excitement, Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones kneeled down to say thanks.

The Bulldogs had plenty of reasons to be thankful. Trailing by 20 points entering the fourth quarter, Alabama A&M put together a comeback for the ages.

Quarterback Deaunte Mason threw four touchdown passes to G'Alonzo Milton, including the game-winner with 57 seconds as A&M scored 21 unanswered points to pull off an improbable 28-27 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff before an announced crowd of 5,136 at Louis Crews Stadium.

"We played with a great sense of urgency in the fourth quarter," Jones said. "Sometimes you have to get punched in the face before you realize you're in a fight. We got punched in the face in the third quarter. The way our guys responded is darn near a miracle."

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Grambling comes home-finally

GRAMBLING, LA — The Tigers make their way back home this week — finally, and not at all too soon.
Grambling coach Doug Williams hasn't been particularly pleased with his team's — especially his offense's — performances in its past two games.

He's hoping some home-cooking will be just the remedy to rebound against visiting Alabama A&M (1-2, 0-1) and start moving forward again in SWAC play.

"It's certainly a good time to get back on track, and that's at home," he said. "Alabama A&M had a big win for them to beat Tuskegee who has been like a thorn in the side to some of the schools in the SWAC, but the good part about it, it's home. We get a chance to recoup, and hopefully the guys realize in order to do what we've set out to do we've got to compete every week, every minute, every second. There ain't no time to let up, and it ain't over until it's over."

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Alabama A&M: Martin, Pearl have strong ties to Tuskegee

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Twenty-one years ago, Jay Martin and Cedric Pearl played in arguably the greatest game in the Alabama A&M/Tuskegee rivalry.

On Saturday, Martin and Pearl, now A&M assistants, will try to beat their alma mater.

The Bulldogs (0-2) will host the Golden Tigers (0-1) in the second annual Louis Crews Classic. Kickoff is 6 p.m. from Louis Crews Stadium and the game can be heard on 90.9 FM.

"I have passion for Tuskegee, but A&M pays our bills ...

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Alabama A&M: Bulldogs, Golden Tigers both looking for wins

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Alabama A&M and Tuskegee will both be looking to break into win column Saturday when the two teams collide in the second annual Louis Crews Classic.

The Bulldogs are 0-2 after losing to Hampton and Southern, while the Golden Tigers are 0-1 after losing their home opener Saturday to Langston. Kickoff is 6 p.m. at Louis Crews Stadium.

"Tuskegee is going to bring a good football team in here," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "They lost their opener, so they're going to be desperate and fired up about the opportunity to play us. "We've got to be ready to play or we're not going to like the outcome."

A&M leads the all-time series ...

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SU defense gets rid of bad taste

Baton Rouge, LA - It was a collaborative effort Saturday night as Southern University vanquished its seven-game losing streak with a 21-6 win over Southwestern Athletic Conference rival Alabama A&M.

The Southern offense scored two pacesetting touchdowns in the first 7 minutes, and the Jaguars defense responded with just as much heart.

A week earlier, Southern’s defense surrendered more than 300 yards on the ground as it was manhandled by Tennessee State’s physical offensive line. But the defense showed its resiliency and held the Bulldogs to just 60 yards on the ground.




“We wanted to control the clock, and keep (Alabama A&M) off the field some,” Southern coach Stump Mitchell said of the Jaguars’ approach. “Last week, Tennessee State was just much bigger than us.”


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Hawkins knows Southern University has to get back up

Baton Rouge, LA - What was it that Muhammad Ali, Vince Lombardi and Rocky Balboa used to say? They each phrased it a little differently, but the line always went something like this: There’s no shame in getting knocked down. The shame comes when you don’t get back up.

Charles Hawkins knew that. Southern University’s junior wide receiver has known it for a while now. So last weekend, after Tennessee State safety Joseph Wylie leveled him for a second time in the Jaguars’ ugly season-opening loss, leaving Hawkins on the ground with stabbing pains in his chest, rib cage and back, the young wideout knew the deal.

Eventually, he had to get back up. And eventually, he got back in the game.

At 6 p.m. Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium, when the Jaguars (0-1) open Southwestern Athletic Conference play against Alabama A&M (0-1), they’ll try to do the same.

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Alabama A&M: Fuller named Bulldogs' running backs coach

Coach Andy Fuller
(Photo courtesy AAMU Athletics)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Andy Fuller, who has been a part-time assistant coach at Alabama A&M over the last five years under head coach Anthony Jones, has moved up to full-time status. Fuller, who has served as the Bulldogs' tight ends coach over the years, is now the running backs coach. His new position became official late last week.

"I want to thank Coach Jones for this opportunity," Fuller said. "I'm going to be the best coach I can be and help us win the SWAC championship." Fuller replaces Errol Jones, who left just before training camp began to become the boys basketball coach and assistant football coach at Deshler High School.

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Chicago Classic is homecoming of sorts for AAMU's Jackson

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Tony Jackson thought his football career was over. After Alabama A&M completed spring practice, Jackson, who has longed for a career in acting, received a call about becoming an extra in "Good Deeds," one of Tyler Perry's upcoming movies also starring Gabrielle Union.

"I jumped all over it and decided I was done with football," he said. "I was going to pursue an acting career."

After completing the project in late July, Jackson, who graduated in May with a degree in exercise science, got a chance to talk with Perry. He encouraged him to finish his football career.

"He told me if I had a year left to play, I should go ahead and play," Jackson said. "He told me acting would always be there."

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