AAMU Jennings alternately praised, criticized during tenure

Change welcome in beginning, but soon led to friction.

Dr. Robert Jennings was never trustees' first pick to become the 10th permanent president of Alabama A&M University.

They voted 5-4 to offer him the job on Dec. 16, 2005, after their unanimous first choice, Dr. Julian Earls, then director of NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, had turned them down in October.

Jennings, now 57, was the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Future Focus 2020, an academic think tank and research training center in the Babcock Graduate School of Management at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.

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AAMU Jennings fired for financial improperiety

The future of Alabama A&M University

Only a strong leader can save the university from itself

Whether you supported Dr. Robert Jennings in his almost two-year tenure at Alabama A&M University or whether you thought he had proved himself unequal to the task of leading the historically black school effectively, the decision by the board of trustees on Monday to fire Jennings must lead to this conclusion: This is a regrettable time for the university.

But we'll go further: A&M's leadership is, in fact, in chaos and there's little hope it can reach a state of equilibrium unless things change dramatically and soon.

Exactly why Jennings was fired remains unclear. Reports of Jennings' alleged questionable payments to staff members haven't been effectively addressed publicly.

The board has continued to meet behind closed doors to discuss his job performance, saying it was dealing with "good name and character" and getting legal advice.

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Jennings plans court action against firing by A&M

Photo: Fired Alabama A&M University president Dr. Robert R. Jennings.

Alabama A&M University President Dr. Robert Jennings was fired by the board of trustees in a 7-1 vote March 31, 2008, but will not leave without a fight.

"He feels like this was an absolute travesty of justice," said his attorney, John Saxon of Birmingham. "It was a kangaroo court. "I'm not even sure, first of all, that this was a lawful meeting."

Saxon said Jennings was not given a hearing or chance to respond publicly to the charges against him, and the termination was based on the report of an ad hoc committee never approved by the board.

"He has not been afforded due process, and we plan to fully challenge the decision and all of these points in Madison County Circuit Court," Saxon said. "I think he didn't play ball the way some people wanted him to play ball and to go along the way things had been in the past. And that bothered some people, some people in high places."

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Dr. Jennings is a Morehouse College grad earning a B.A. in sociology in 1972; earned a M.A. in educational psychology in 1974 and a Ed.S. degrees in interrelated learning, 1979 from Clark Atlanta University. He also earned a Doctor of Education degree in educational administration and policy studies from Clark Atlanta University in 1982.

Golden Lions knock out Alabama A&M in SWAC first round

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Familiarity breeds confidence. The Arkansas-Pine Bluff men’s basketball team knows that motto, especially considering that they were going up against an opponent they had defeated twice during the regular season.

With their 72-59 victory over Alabama A&M Thursday afternoon in the first round of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament, the Golden Lions defeated the Bulldogs three times this season.

UAPB (13-17, 8-10 No. 6 SWAC) will take on second-seeded Mississippi Valley State at 2:30 p.m. today in Birmingham, Ala. in the semifinals of the SWAC Tournament.

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AAMU defense takes charge in scrimmage

Unit bounces back from poor showing a week ago

Alabama A&M's offense held the upper hand through the first two weeks of spring practice. Quarterback Kevin Atkins and company torched Brawnski Towns' defense a week ago in the first scrimmage of the spring.

On Sunday afternoon, the Bulldogs' defense bounced back. Free safety Al Donaldson intercepted two of Atkins' passes and end Jeremy Maddox also had an interception as Towns' defense avenged last week's thumping.

"I think we're getting a little better on pass coverage," Towns said after the Bulldogs forced four turnovers in the almost 90-play scrimmage inside Louis Crews Stadium. "We got a little better in terms of turnovers, too. We had some kids really hustling and getting to the football.

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SWAC Women's Bowling Championship to air on ESPNU

College bowling returns to national television next week as Southern University and Alabama A&M University, two NCAA Division I programs, square off for the Southwestern Athletic Conference Women's Bowling Championship.

The championship match is scheduled to air on Wednesday, March 5 at 8 p.m. Eastern and replayed Thursday, March 6 at 7:30 a.m. Eastern. Check your local listings for time changes.

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Alabama A&M expects stronger defense

Photo: Re'Quincia Mack, SWAC preseason Player of the Year, Junior, 5-8 Centerfielder, Buckhorn H.S., Huntsville, AL. Mack batted last season .361 with 8 homers, 28 RBIs, 48 hits, scored 37 runs and had a .932 fielding percentage.

New coach Brown says team can make tournament

Nedra Brown is hoping to do for Alabama A&M's softball program what she did for the Bulldogs' volleyball team. Brown guided the volleyball program to the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship last October in her first season. She'll try to do the same thing in softball.


Photo: Debra Borcherding, SWAC preseason Pitcher of the Year, Senior, Right Handed Pitcher, Ames H.S., Ames, IA. Borcherding was 8-16 with a 5.41 ERA last season on a bad defensive club.

"We want to be competitive every time we take the field," said Brown, whose team opened the season Saturday dropping a doubleheader at Tennessee State. "If we can do that and improve over the course of the season, we'll have a chance to get into the (SWAC) tournament and hopefully make a run at it."

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AAMU 2008 SCHEDULE
(Date Opponent / Event Location Time / Result

Sat., Feb. 16 at Tennessee State Nashville, Tenn. L, 7-2
at Tennessee State Nashville, Tenn. L, 6-3

Univ. of Memphis Tournament
Fri., Feb. 22 vs. Ark.-Pine Bluff Southaven, Miss. 12:00 pm CT
vs. Evansville Southaven, Miss. 4:30 pm CT
Sat., Feb. 23 at Memphis Southaven, Miss. 2:15 pm CT
vs. Morehead State Southaven, Miss. 4:30 pm CT
Sun., Feb. 24 vs. SE Missouri Southaven, Miss. 10:00 am CT

Tue., Feb. 26 vs. Auburn Huntsville, Ala. 1:00 pm CT
vs. Auburn Huntsville, Ala. 3:00 pm CT
Tue., Mar. 4 at Tenn.-Martin Martin, Tenn. 1:00 pm CT
at Tenn.-Martin Martin, Tenn. 3:00 pm CT

SWAC East-West Roundup
Fri., Mar. 7 vs. Ark.-Pine Bluff * Shreveport, La. 10:00 am CT
vs. Southern * Shreveport, La. 1:00 pm CT
Sat., Mar. 8 vs. Texas Southern * Shreveport, La. 1:00 pm CT
Sun., Mar. 9 vs. Prairie View * Shreveport, La. 10:00 am CT
vs. Grambling * Shreveport, La. 1:00 pm CT

Wed., Mar. 12 vs. Memphis Huntsville, Ala. 2:00 pm CT
vs. Memphis Huntsville, Ala. 4:00 pm CT
Fri., Mar. 21 vs. Alabama State * Huntsville, Ala. 3:00 pm CT
Sat., Mar. 22 vs. Alabama State * Huntsville, Ala. 12:00 pm CT
vs. Alabama State * Huntsville, Ala. 2:00 pm CT
Fri., Mar. 28 at Jackson State * Jackson, Miss. 5:00 pm CT
Sat., Mar. 29 at Jackson State * Jackson, Miss. 12:00 pm CT
at Jackson State * Jackson, Miss. 2:00 pm CT
Mon., Apr. 7 vs. Belmont Huntsville, Ala. 2:00 pm CT
vs. Belmont Huntsville, Ala. 4:00 pm CT
Fri., Apr. 11 vs. Miss. Valley * Huntsville, Ala. 4:00 pm CT
Sat., Apr. 12 vs. Miss. Valley * Huntsville, Ala. 12:00 pm CT
vs. Miss. Valley * Huntsville, Ala. 2:00 pm CT
Fri., Apr. 18 at Alcorn State * Alcorn State, Miss. TBA
Sat., Apr. 19 at Alcorn State * Alcorn State, Miss. TBA
at Alcorn State * Alcorn State, Miss. TBA

SWAC Tournament
Thu., Apr. 24 SWAC Tournament Houston, Tex. All Day
Fri., Apr. 25 SWAC Tournament Houston, Tex. All Day
Sat., Apr. 26 SWAC Tournament Houston, Tex. All Day
Sun., Apr. 27 SWAC Tournament Houston, Tex. All Day

Tennessee State Softball Sweeps Alabama A&M in Opener

Tennessee State Sports Information

Nashville, Tenn.--- The Tennessee State University softball team opened the 2008 season with a sweep over visiting Alabama A&M University (7-2, 6-3) Saturday at Tiger Field. TSU moves to 2-0 while A&M falls to 0-2.

Leading 2-0 in the fifth inning of game one, TSU posted five runs on five hits and three A&M errors. The Bulldogs rallied to score two runs on two hits in the seventh inning before the Lady Tigers went on to win 7-2.

Photo: Alabama A&M University Lady Bulldogs 2008 Softball Team

TSU jumped ahead 5-0 in the second game following a three run, four hit inning in the third. Alabama A&M scored one run in the fifth and two runs in the sixth inning but TSU would go on to win the game 6-3.

Amanda Vaught picked up both wins with a total of 18 strikeouts. Brittany Webb led with four RBI’s and registered a triple in the first game.

TSU returns to action this Wednesday at home against Lipscomb University in a double header. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Tiger Field.

Alabama A&M will play at the University of Memphis Tournament beginning on Friday before returning for the home opener vs. Auburn on Tuesday, February 26.

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.

Alabama A&M pulls out thriller over Mississippi Valley

Photo: AAMU Bulldogs Trant Simpson makes drive on Mississippi Valley State on way to 18 point scoring spree. The 5-10/160 guard is a sophomore from Huntsville, AL Buckhorn H.S.

ITTA BENA, Miss. - Evan Hilton hit two free throws with 0.9 seconds left to lift Alabama A&M to a thrilling 53-52 victory over Mississippi Valley State Monday night in a Southwestern Athletic Conference game. The win, A&M's fourth in its last five games, lifted the Bulldogs to 8-13 overall and 5-6 in league play. MVSU fell to 8-14 and 6-5.

Larry Cox hit two free throws at the 5:08 mark to give MVSU a 50-47 lead and it stayed that way before A&M battled back in the last two minutes. Mickell Gladness' tip-in made it 50-49 and Hilton hit two free throws with 1:18 remaining to give the Bulldogs a 51-50 lead. However, Stanford Speech hit a jumper to put MVSU back up 52-51 with 50 seconds left.

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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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SU Jaguars to face Alabama A&M

For a team in the thick of a tight Southwestern Athletic Conference race, being successful on its longest home stand of the season is high on the list of important musts in order to win that race.

The Southern men’s basketball team (6-11, 4-2 SWAC) has three consecutive home games, beginning tonight, when Alabama A&M (4-11, 1-4) visits at 4 p.m. today at the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Still ahead: SWAC-leading Alabama State (8-7, 4-1) at 7 p.m. Monday in a game that will be televised on ESPNU and Alcorn State (3-16, 2-4) at 4 p.m. a week from today. SU is then idle on Monday, Feb. 4.

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2007 Magic City Classic: Battle of the Bands- ASU Hornets vs. AAMU Bulldogs

A record crowd of 68,593 came to Legion Field this past Saturday to enjoy the battle between the Bulldogs and the Hornets in the Magic City Classic. Alabama A&M University won the football game 13-9 and the winner of the battle of the bands is still undecided. You pick the winner of that contest...

Alabama State University Marching Hornets and Stingettes


Alabama A&M University Marching Maroon and White Band and the Dancing Divas


AAMU Band vs. ASU Band, The 5th Quarter - Magic City Classic 2007, Part I


ASU Band vs. AAMU Band, The 5th Quarter - Magic City Classic 2007, Part II

UAPB vs. AAMU: Father, son on opposite sidelines

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

A&M tackle's father coaches for Ark.-Pine Bluff

Alabama A&M and Arkansas-Pine Bluff will get together Thursday night at Louis Crews Stadium in a rematch of last year's Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game.

The game will also feature another rematch of smaller proportions.

A&M defensive tackle Justin Harper will be opposing his father, UAPB defensive line coach Gary Harper, when the two teams collide. Kickoff is 6:30 and the game will be televised live on ESPNU.

Gary Harper took bragging rights last year during the regular season as UAPB turned back A&M 23-21, but Justin Harper got the last laugh as the Bulldogs won the SWAC championship with a 22-13 win last December.

"I was so mad I didn't want to talk to anybody," said Justin Harper, recalling the loss last season. "My family was there and my dad wanted to take pictures, but I didn't feel like taking pictures with him."

Six weeks later, Justin Harper couldn't stop smiling.

"When we won, I took a picture with him," he said. "I know, since he couldn't win (the SWAC championship), he was happy that I won it."

Win or lose, Gary Harper was just thrilled to see his son.

"It was a good experience," said Gary Harper, who has coached at Tuskegee, Morris Brown, Savannah State and UAPB. "It gave me an opportunity to watch Justin on film and play in person. It was great because I seldom get to an opportunity to see him play. He played well. I enjoyed that."

Gary Harper plans to enjoy himself Thursday night. This time, however, he hopes to be celebrating.

"Knowing that Justin is on the other side, I want him to do well, but I want us to win," he said.

Gary and Lori Harper, Justin's mother, got divorced when he was 6 years old. As a result, Justin and Gary Harper have lived apart for most of their lives.

Even so, Justin Harper heavily considered playing college football at Savannah State four years ago. His father was an assistant coach there at the time.

However, A&M, Alcorn State and Nichols State also recruited Harper. In the end, he chose A&M.

"I came up here and had a good time on my visit," said Harper, a 6-foot-2, 252-pound redshirt junior. "I saw the highlight tape and A&M's defense was one of the dominant defenses in the nation and they were winning. I wanted to be a part of that."

Unfortunately, Harper had to call his father and give him the news.

"Initially, he sounded kind of sad ... a little hurt," he said. "But, he was proud I was going to a good school."

A&M offensive coordinator Cedric Pearl, who handles the Bulldogs' offensive line, and Gary Harper coached together at Morris Brown. Harper turned Pearl on to his son.

"Coach Pearl was fired up about Justin and he fell in love with Huntsville," Gary Harper said. "It was disappointing at first, but he needed to be happy where he went. He wanted to win a championship and he did that. A&M has been good for him and he's been good for A&M."

Despite being separated, father and son are close.

"I spent Christmas break, spring breaks and summers with him growing up," Justin said. "We haven't been living together, but we are close. We talk once or twice a week. We talk about football, school and other things."

In fact, they talked some Tuesday.

"He didn't want to talk too much," Gary Harper said. "Hopefully, I'll get to see him and get a chance to talk to him before the game."

Justin Harper has come on the last few weeks.

He broke his left thumb during preseason practice and had to undergo surgery. Initially, he was told he would miss the first four games of the season, but he only missed the season opener against Tennessee State. He moved into the starting lineup against Texas Southern and has been a force to be reckoned with ever since.

"I have a lot of admiration for that kid," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "He could have stayed out a few more weeks, but he wanted to play. He worked with our trainers to get back and since he's been back he's been our best defensive lineman."

Justin Harper has put a little extra into Thursday night's game. He wants to show out in front of his father.

"I want to have the bragging rights again," he said. "I've been watching a little more film and paying attention a little more to the scouting report ... the small details so I can get better."

Gary Harper couldn't be more proud.

"I'm excited about seeing him," he said. "I haven't seen him since Christmas with me being in Arkansas and him being in school all the time. It's tough, but it's a good thing. He's grown up and he'll be graduating soon.

"As a parent, I'm really proud of him for coming back so soon (from injury). He's just a chip off the old block. He has good work habits and doesn't want to sit out and be lazy. He's got a few more goals he wants to conquer and I'm sure he'll reach them."

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

A welcome opportunity for JSU

By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

Once hoping to land at Tennessee, Johnson is thankful to be at A&M

Two years ago, Rashad Johnson was headed to the University of Tennessee. At least, that was the plan. However, those plans were derailed and he landed at Alabama A&M instead.

The Vols' loss has clearly been the Bulldogs' gain as Johnson has emerged into a key contributor at wide receiver in his first season.

A 5-foot-10, 185-pound freshman from Mobile, Johnson had an outstanding senior year at Murphy High School, catching 37 balls for more than 700 yards and 12 touchdowns. A number of schools recruited Johnson, but he wanted to play at Tennessee.

That dream ended when Johnson failed to make the required score on the ACT. Then Jones got in trouble with the law when one of his friends picked him up from work in a stolen car.

"We got pulled over," Johnson said. "I had no idea it was a stolen car."

With few options, Johnson's mother spoke with then-A&M offensive coordinator Stan Conner.

"Coach Conner told me if I came up here and got eligible, I could get a scholarship and play," Johnson said.

Johnson isn't on scholarship yet, but if he keeps playing the way he has through the Bulldogs' first six games, he'll certainly earn one.

Johnson has just only nine catches, but four have gone for touchdowns, which is second on the team. He is averaging 16.2 yards per catch, third-best on the squad.

That's not bad for a guy who wasn't invited to training camp until after it began.

"I guess they figured I really didn't want to play," said Johnson, who was named A&M's offensive player of the week after catching three passes for 40 yards, including a pair of touchdowns in the Bulldogs' 33-28 win over Southern more than a week ago. "I was determined to play. I sat out last year and I realized how much I loved football.

"I went out there with the mind-set I wanted to play and showed them what I could do."

Receivers coach Willie Totten noticed Johnson on his first day of practice.

"It was a Wednesday night," Totten said. "He was wearing No. 46 and we were doing 1-on-1s. He had great acceleration. He was aggressive. He's got a little different attitude than some of our other receivers. That caught my attention.

"I knew he could help us. He kept getting better and better and I told Coach (Anthony) Jones we needed to consider him. He was hungry. He was very attentive to what we were doing."

It didn't take Johnson long to make an impact.

He had just two catches for 14 yards in the season opener against Tennessee State, but had three catches for 94 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the home opener against Clark Atlanta, including a 65-yarder.

Johnson managed just one catch over the next three games, but he came up big against Southern as A&M hung on for a big conference road win.

"Coach Totten told me to be patient and just keep running my routes," Johnson said. "I had to wait until my number was called and that's when I stepped up."

Johnson hauled in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Kelcy Luke to stake the Bulldogs to an early 7-0 lead. Later, Johnson threw a key blocked that allowed wide receiver Gerald Stockdale to find Thomas Harris with a 55-yard touchdown pass. Then, early in the second quarter, Luke found Johnson with a 18-yard touchdown pass.

While Johnson was happy with the touchdown catches, he was more thrilled about throwing the block that led to Harris' touchdown.

"When Stockdale came in motion, I knew his man was going to come with him," Johnson explained. "As soon as he got the ball, he faked like he was going to run the ball and his man came crashing down. I pushed him as far as I could to the sideline and Stockdale was able to throw it to Harris."

Johnson hopes to continue his strong play Thursday night when A&M hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a Southwestern Athletic Conference game. Kickoff is at 6:30 and the game will be televised live on ESPNU.

While Johnson is happy to be at A&M, Jones is equally excited to have him on the team. "He's been a great addition to our program," Jones said. "He just needed polishing. Coach Totten has done a great job of grooming him. "While he's been a great addition to our program, we've been a great addition to him and his development on and off the field."

Totten agreed.

"After the Clark Atlanta game, he came to me and said thank you," Totten said. "I didn't understand what he meant at the time. He said 'I appreciate you giving me a chance.' That still sticks with me today.

"He wants to prove to people that he's not the person people think he is. Those are the things that encourage me about Johnson. He's got a great attitude and he's trying to find his place in society. ... This football program is probably saving Johnson's life."

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."