Denying big plays, running the ball are two A&M goals

Winless Bulldogs, Gamecocks both have questions

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JACKSONVILLE, AL - Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones learned two days before the Bulldogs' season opener against Tennessee State that his three Division I transfers - offensive tackle Michael Brown, inside linebacker Alfred Williams and defensive end Cornelius Robinson - wouldn't be able to play pending a ruling by the NCAA on their eligibility.

As a result, Jones had to resort to his backup plan, and it failed miserably as the Tigers claimed a 34-13 victory. Jones had hoped those players would be cleared in time for today's game at Jacksonville State. As of Friday, there had been no word. The Bulldogs and Gamecocks will battle at Paul Snow Stadium with both teams in search of their first victory of the season. Kickoff is 6 and the game can be heard on WJAB-FM 90.9.

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Transfer-heavy TSU aiming for turnaround

James Webster accepted the daunting task three years ago of trying to rebuild Tennessee State's football program. It has been a slow go - the Tigers are just 13-20 during his tenure - but he says this year's team is ready to turn the corner. "This should be our best team since I've been here," said Webster, whose team went 5-6 last season, losing four games by 16 points. "It's not the most experienced team, but as far as talent is concerned, it is the best team."

The Tigers did that with nine Division-I transfers. Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones, whose Bulldogs host the Tigers in Saturday's season opener, has taken notice. "We're expecting a very, very talented team to come in here," Jones said. "They've got good size and speed in all the right places. They're going to be a tough opponent. "Based on what I'm seeing, they're going to beat a lot of teams this year. Hopefully, we won't be one of them."

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AAMU Jones has winning recipe

Coach builds A&M into one of nation's elite

Before Anthony Jones was named Alabama A&M's head football coach six years ago, Bulldog fans had gone through a number of coaches. Ron Cooper served for four seasons, leading A&M into the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Bulldogs reached the SWAC championship game in 2000. Prior to that, Ken Pettiford led A&M to three straight winning seasons before being fired. Reggie Oliver, Ray Bonner, George Pugh, Ray Greene, Ed Wyche and others had also held the title. Greene had the job on two separate occasions.

"I've worked with a bunch of them," said A&M defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns, who has been an assistant since 1984 under Wyche. "Unfortunately, none of them have been able to stay around here too long." Except Jones. A former tight end on the Washington Redskins' 1987 Super Bowl team, Jones has not only built A&M's program into one of the best in the SWAC, but one of the best in black college football.

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Frustration lives at A&M

Team's scrimmage doesn't put smile on Jones' face

Alabama A&M's second preseason scrimmage Tuesday night looked a lot like the first one and that drew the ire of coach Anthony Jones. Last Saturday, A&M's defense got the best of the offense. Tuesday was much of the same. Offensively, the Bulldogs showed some big-play capability, but weren't nearly as consistent as Jones wants the unit to be. "There were a lot of encouraging things out here tonight, but there were some discouraging things, too," he said. "We've got to be more consistent."

Some things that encouraged Jones:

- The rushing and receiving of tailback Anthony Green.
- The play of wide receivers Rashad Johnson and Thomas Harris.
- Quarterback Kevin Atkins was terrific at times.
- The offensive line did a nice job run blocking and pass blocking.

Some things that discouraged Jones:

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AAMU new tight ends aim to catch on

Aside from quarterback Kelcy Luke, Alabama A&M's biggest losses on offense were tight ends three-time All-SWAC selection Charles Moody and John Smith. A&M's new tight ends offer few credentials and no numbers to speak of. Todd Leichtfuss and Jeremy Cunningham have caught one pass between them, but despite their lack of playing time and production, they're confident they can be just as effective.

"I feel that we can handle this," said Leichtfuss, a 6-foot-2, 217-pound junior who will serve as the Bulldogs' long- snapper for the third straight year in addition to his tight end duties. "As long as we do our job and not worry about anybody else, everything will take care of itself."

Cunningham was a little more adamant.

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AAMU Bulldogs' defensive tackles taking committee approach

But Askew hopes someone steps up to "be the big dog"

Every few plays, Renaldo Askew jogs his 6-foot-2, 266-pound frame off the field to talk with Alabama A&M defensive line coach Ben Blacknall. It's a common theme for Askew and the rest of the defensive tackles. The unit hasn't been dominant since All-Southwestern Athletic Conference tackle Kevin Lockhart finished his career two years ago. Blacknall's job is to make sure progress is being made, and that's why he's in constant contact with his players.

"If we're going to be successful on defense," Blacknall said, "our tackles have to play well." Askew and Whitney Garrett, the lone senior, are the current starters. Frank Kearse and Marcus Powe will also see a lot of playing time. Askew said the group has gotten Blacknall's message. "There's a lot of pressure on us," he said. "Every day. Every practice. Every meeting. We've got to stay together and do what we've got to do."

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Alabama A&M's Moore wants to put poor season behind him

Cornerback who lost starting job is on the rebound

Frank Moore was one of the big surprises in the Southwestern Athletic Conference two years ago - a walk-on defensive back who finished with a league-high six interceptions as the Bulldogs captured their first SWAC championship. But in 2007, the 5-foot-9, 170-pounder couldn't duplicate his success. In fact, Moore played so poorly that he ended up losing his job to Maurice Thomas early in the season and finished the year with just 10 tackles. He had no interceptions.

"I got the big head," Moore said Tuesday after practice. "I feel like I could have still made some plays. I didn't have any problems on the field. My problems were off the field." Said Defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns: "I don't know what happened between his sophomore and junior year. Frank was terrific for us in 2006 when we won the championship. Last year, he wasn't the same kid. He didn't play well at all last year.

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A&M's class hurt by 10 ineligibles

At least 10 of Alabama A&M's incoming freshmen have been ruled academically ineligible and three more are still awaiting word from the NCAA Clearinghouse concerning their status. A&M coach Anthony Jones said he knew there would be some academic casualties, but the numbers surprised him.

"We signed some kids that we knew would be on the borderline, but there were some others that we felt would make it but didn't," he said. "Hopefully, we can get them all here, get them acclimated to college and help them become successful student-athletes."

Those who failed to get eligible include running backs Trent Johnson and Kaderius Lacey, defensive linemen Regis Laister, Parker Marino and Tim Tillman, offensive linemen Clarence Lovell, Mike Patridge and Roberto Gonzales, wide receiver Rashad Daniels and fullback Devron Owensby. Jones wasn't sure how many would enroll at A&M this semester.

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Alabama A&M Bulldogs lose huge blocker

Poor grades cost All-SWAC tackle his senior season

Alabama A&M lineman Darius Turner's college career is over after the left tackle was ruled academically ineligible for the upcoming season. Turner, a 6-foot-5, 293-pound fifth-year senior named to the preseason All-SWAC squad, didn't make the necessary grades in summer school to gain his eligibility.

"He gave me the impression all summer that he was getting it done," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "He knew the path he had to travel and from all indications he was on the right path. Unfortunately, when the grades came out, I started hearing a different story." Slated to start for the third straight year, Turner was expected to bolster a unit considered one of the strengths on the team.

While the Bulldogs still return All-SWAC center Xavier Manuel and guards Charles Meade and Russell Jackson, the unit will take on a different look with Turner out.

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AAMU Bulldogs' title hopes tied to young players

If Alabama A&M is to contend for a Southwestern Athletic Conference championship, coach Anthony Jones says some of his young players will have to play key roles. Offensively, the Bulldogs must fill holes at quarterback, tight end and fullback. Defensively, help is needed at tackle and inside linebacker.

"We've got some talented players at those positions, but they're not as experienced as we'd like them to be," Jones said Monday, two days before the Bulldogs report for training camp. "Our job is to try to get those guys ready to play and that's what we're going to try to do."

The biggest concern as A&M enters preseason practice is at quarterback where redshirt sophomore Kevin Atkins takes over for All-SWAC performer Kelcy Luke. Atkins appeared in five games last season, but attempted only two passes. "I've been waiting on this opportunity for three years," Atkins said. "I haven't played a full game since high school. I'm ready."

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A&M Jones at ease entering 7th year

A&M coach confident as season nears

BIRMINGHAM - There was a time when Alabama A&M football coach Anthony Jones was a little apprehensive about dealing with the media. He was in a new position. He was in a new city. And he didn't know how the media would treat him. "Dealing with the media is just like any other type of relationship," Jones said. "There has to be a level of trust involved. Over the years, the level of trust has heightened and increased."

As a result, Jones, now entering his seventh season at A&M, has become somewhat of a media darling. "The longer you do something the more comfortable you're going to become," he said. "I didn't want to come out when I first got here and make a bunch of statements because I had a bunch of new players and some new coaches that I had never been in the fire with and we had to grow together.

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2008-09 Alabama A&M Basketball Preview: #143

Alabama A&M Bulldogs
Overall Rank: #143
Conference Rank: #1 SWAC
2007-08: 14-15, 11-7, 3rd
2007-08 postseason: none

If Alabama A&M could only beat Arkansas Pine Bluff, their season would have ended much differently. As it was, the Bulldogs finished third in the conference and had a first round conference tournament exit at the hands of the Golden Lions. With a whole slew of talent returning, the Bulldogs will have the best back court in the SWAC and that should be enough for Coach Vann Pettaway’s squad to think about a conference championship.

Who’s Out: However, there is a huge, literally and figuratively, hole to fill in the front court. The 6-11 Mickell Gladness tallied 10.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Having a big guy like that...

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Former A&M Standout Mickell Gladness Signs With NBA Agent

Huntsville, Ala. - Former men's basketball standout Mickell Gladness has recently signed with NBA agent Mark Fleisher of Enter Sport Management Inc. based in Connecticut. They will be sending Gladness to Las Vegas to train with one of the NBA's top workout specialist. While in training, the company will be working on Gladness' behalf for an invite to the Orlando pre-draft camp held for all rookies.

Gladness finished the 2007-08 season third on the team in scoring with a 10.3 average. He also led the Southwestern Athletic Conference in blocked shots with 4.5 per contest - good for a No. 2 NCAA-DI individual ranking.

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Alabama A&M returns to schedule for Tuskegee University football

Tuskegee University Football, coming off an undefeated season in 2007 (12-0) and a national black college championship, on Friday (April 4) released its 2008 football schedule.

The 11-game regular season includes five home games, three "classics" and three other road contests. A nine-game mandated Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schedule will determine the conference championship.

"This year, we have two 1AA schools (Alabama State and Alabama A&M), making it a much tougher schedule than usual, in addition to playing every school in the conference (SIAC)" said Willie Slater, head coach of the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers. "At the same time, we will deal with it and are ready to do so."

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The Miles College Golden Bears/Coach Billy Joe era kickoff at the Golden Tigers Abbott Stadium in TU's season opener on September 6.

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME

Sept. 6 MILES COLLEGE + TUSKEGEE 1:00

Sept. 13 BENEDICT COLLEGE + TUSKEGEE 1:00

Sept. 20 Stillman College + Tuscaloosa 5:00

Sept. 27 Fort Valley State University + Fort Valley, GA 1:00 ET

Oct. 4 Alabama A&M University (25th Circle City Classic-Lucas Oil Stadium)Indianapolis, IN 5:00 ET

Oct. 11 Morehouse College + (73rd Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic) Columbus, GA TBA

Oct. 18 ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY + TUSKEGEE 1:00

Oct. 25 KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY + TUSKEGEE 1:00

Nov. 1 Clark Atlanta University + Atlanta, GA 7:00 ET

Nov. 8 LANE COLLEGE (HOMECOMING) + TUSKEGEE 1:00

Nov. 27 Alabama State University (85th Annual Turkey Day Classic) Montgomery 1:00

Alabama A&M Bulldogs set to play Tuskegee on Oct. 4

Alabama A&M will rekindle an old football rivalry this season when the Bulldogs travel to Indianapolis on Oct. 4 to take on Tuskegee University in the Circle City Classic.

It will be the first meeting between the two teams since 1999 when A&M came away with a 54-0 victory. The Bulldogs lead the series 22-19-4.

Betty Austin, A&M's athletic director, released a trio of big games from the 2008 schedule, which is incomplete at this time.

Also, A&M will host Grambling for homecoming on Oct. 11 and will take on Alabama State in the Magic City Classic at Birmingham's Legion Field on Oct. 25. Start times are yet to be finalized.

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A&M Gaines making a push for more playing time

Inside linebacker David Gaines has played primarily on special teams during his first two seasons at Alabama A&M.

He played in four games in 2006 and was credited with four tackles.

He played in all 11 games last season and was credited with 15 tackles. A rising junior, Gaines believes he's ready to be a contributor on defense, and if his play in Sunday's scrimmage is any indication, the 6-foot, 214-pounder could be right. Unofficially, Gaines was credited with six tackles, a sack and three pass breakups in the nearly 90-play scrimmage.

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UAPB next up for Alabama A&M 'Dogs

Alabama A&M will have to get revenge against Arkansas-Pine Bluff if it is going to win the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament.

The Bulldogs, who wrapped up the third seed in next week's tournament at Fair Park Arena in Birmingham, will take on the Golden Lions Thursday at 2:30 p.m. UAPB swept A&M this season, winning 65-59 at Elmore Gym and 70-65 in Pine Bluff.

"We're hoping the third time is the charm for us," A&M coach Vann Pettaway said Saturday night. "I'm hoping my history will remain the same. I don't know of a team that has beaten me three times in the same season."

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Alabama State Hornets should waltz through the SWAC tournament and win the NCAA bid without being tested. The SWAC has been so weak this season, that it makes you question if the Hornets will be competitive in the NCAAs. Anyhow, AAMU is going to be home watching it all on television and grumbling about how the season got away from them. There is always a next year...

Alabama A&M clobbers Grambling, 74-43

A&M's 6-foot-11 center rims out on trey in 74-43 win as 3-point attempt thrills Gladness on Senior Day

Alabama A&M's Mickell Gladness had always fashioned himself as a shooting guard. Unfortunately for his hopes, at 6-foot-11 and 205 pounds, he grew into a center. Saturday night, however, with A&M holding a commanding lead over Grambling State, coach Vann Pettaway moved Gladness to the shooting guard spot with approximately three minutes to go in the game.

Gladness came off of a screen and launched a 3-pointer that rimmed out. Afterwards, he left to a standing ovation as the Bulldogs clobbered the Tigers 74-43 in a Southwestern Athletic Conference game at Elmore Gym.

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Atkins, Alabama A&M offense solid

Bulldogs' QB takes unit to five TDs in scrimmage

Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones has been bragging about Kevin Atkins since spring practice started more than a week ago. Jones has said Atkins looks more like a veteran than a seldom-used redshirt sophomore. That was the case Saturday as Atkins looked sharp in A&M's first scrimmage of the spring. He completed 12-of-19 passes for 172 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in the nearly 90-play scrimmage at Louis Crews Stadium.

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Atkins is off to good start for Alabama A&M Bulldogs

AAMU QB does well on first dayof spring practice

Kevin Atkins jogged off the field smiling.

A rising sophomore on the Alabama A&M football team, Atkins is the heir apparent to quarterback Kelcy Luke. After Friday's first day of spring practice, all seemed right in Atkins' world. "It went pretty good," said the 6-0, 213-pounder out of Durham, N.C. "I've got to prove to my teammates and my coaches I can lead this team and be the starter. I don't want to get too comfortable or too relaxed.

"I'm going to stay hungry every day and try to get better."

Atkins and Jared Loftin will battle for the starting job this spring. While Atkins played in five games, Loftin, a redshirt sophomore from Troy, has yet to play in a college football game.

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