By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times
A&M knows MVSU tougher than its numbers
On paper, tonight's Alabama A&M-Mississippi Valley State game appears to be a mismatch.
The Bulldogs (2-0) are averaging 45 points and 529 yards per game. The Delta Devils (1-1) are averaging 11 points and 172.5 yards per game.
But Bulldogs coach Anthony Jones knows numbers don't win football games and that MVSU has historically played tough against A&M.
"I expect this game to be no different than the other ones we've played against them," said Jones, who is 4-1 against MVSU. "We better be ready because they're going to come in here firing their best shot and if we're not ready to fire our best shot, we won't like the outcome."
Kickoff is at 6:30 at Louis Crews Stadium.
Despite its paltry numbers, MVSU owns a win over defending Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division champion Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Delta Devils played another league foe last week and lost 23-6 to Southern.Tonight's game is the SWAC opener for A&M.
"They haven't had a great explosion offensively, but they've been in both games," Jones said. "Their offense is going to come around. I'm just hoping it doesn't come around (tonight)."
A&M's offense has already come around.
The Bulldogs were unstoppable in whipping Tennessee State 49-23 and Clark Atlanta 41-10. A&M had 450 yards against the Tigers and 608 against the Panthers. Quarterback Kelcy Luke threw for 301 yards with four touchdowns against Clark Atlanta, and running back Ulysses Banks rushed for a school-record 211 yards on 19 carries.
"We're going against the best team in our conference in the Eastern Division," said MVSU coach Willie Totten, whose team is giving up 16 points, but is allowing more than 360 yards per game. "They are doing a lot of exciting things offensively and they're always good on defense. This is the best I've seen A&M look this early."
Jones said A&M won't likely be able to maintain its scoring pace as it enters conference play - even against an MVSU defense that gave up almost 500 yards against Southern.
"They've given up some plays, but stats are misleading," he said. "They shut down Arkansas-Pine Bluff and then they played a statistically bad game against Southern, but they were still in the game midway through the fourth quarter.
"They have a bend-but-don't-break mentality. We have to do our best to take advantage of whatever opportunities that present themselves."
A&M knows MVSU tougher than its numbers
On paper, tonight's Alabama A&M-Mississippi Valley State game appears to be a mismatch.
The Bulldogs (2-0) are averaging 45 points and 529 yards per game. The Delta Devils (1-1) are averaging 11 points and 172.5 yards per game.
But Bulldogs coach Anthony Jones knows numbers don't win football games and that MVSU has historically played tough against A&M.
"I expect this game to be no different than the other ones we've played against them," said Jones, who is 4-1 against MVSU. "We better be ready because they're going to come in here firing their best shot and if we're not ready to fire our best shot, we won't like the outcome."
Kickoff is at 6:30 at Louis Crews Stadium.
Despite its paltry numbers, MVSU owns a win over defending Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division champion Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Delta Devils played another league foe last week and lost 23-6 to Southern.Tonight's game is the SWAC opener for A&M.
"They haven't had a great explosion offensively, but they've been in both games," Jones said. "Their offense is going to come around. I'm just hoping it doesn't come around (tonight)."
A&M's offense has already come around.
The Bulldogs were unstoppable in whipping Tennessee State 49-23 and Clark Atlanta 41-10. A&M had 450 yards against the Tigers and 608 against the Panthers. Quarterback Kelcy Luke threw for 301 yards with four touchdowns against Clark Atlanta, and running back Ulysses Banks rushed for a school-record 211 yards on 19 carries.
"We're going against the best team in our conference in the Eastern Division," said MVSU coach Willie Totten, whose team is giving up 16 points, but is allowing more than 360 yards per game. "They are doing a lot of exciting things offensively and they're always good on defense. This is the best I've seen A&M look this early."
Jones said A&M won't likely be able to maintain its scoring pace as it enters conference play - even against an MVSU defense that gave up almost 500 yards against Southern.
"They've given up some plays, but stats are misleading," he said. "They shut down Arkansas-Pine Bluff and then they played a statistically bad game against Southern, but they were still in the game midway through the fourth quarter.
"They have a bend-but-don't-break mentality. We have to do our best to take advantage of whatever opportunities that present themselves."
