Mr. SWAC
F*** THE LAKERS!!!!!!
A&M reports hoping for title
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
By REGGIE BENSON
Times Sports Staff [email protected]
Bulldogs getting tired of finishing second in SWAC
Since becoming a full-time member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference in 1999, Alabama A&M's football program has been a major player.
The Bulldogs have played in the SWAC Championship Game three times in the last six years, but have yet to claim the title.
A&M's three teams that have reached the championship game were led by tremendous defenses and less-than-stellar offenses. The 2000 team lost to Grambling State 14-6. That year, A&M managed just 146 yards in total offense and its lone touchdown came on a 95-yard fumble return.
In 2002, A&M fell 31-19 to the Tigers, who scored a late touchdown as time expired. Quarterbacks Tim Robinson and Johnny Keith combined to throw four interceptions.
Last year, after trailing Grambling State 12-6 at intermission, A&M self- destructed. The Tigers outscored the Bulldogs 33-0 in the second half.
"We just collapsed in the second half," defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns said Tuesday at the school's first fall sports media day.
That experience, Towns believes, has provided the fuel A&M's players need to make another run at that elusive title. The Bulldogs report today and will hit the practice field Thursday afternoon.
"More kids have watched film this summer than I can remember," Towns said. "They seem to be more determined. We don't have the best talent on defense, but we have an experienced offense.
"A lot of times, you don't win with the best team. The team that wins is the team that has the best chemistry and has a little luck."
That experienced offense is led by quarterback Kelcy Luke, who threw for more than 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. He also rushing for more than 500 yards and eight touchdowns.
A&M returns its top four rushers and seven of its top eight receivers. Four starters are back along the offensive line.
A&M was picked to win the league's East Division title last week at the annual SWAC media day. While that came as no surprise to coach Anthony Jones, he knows it won't be easy.
"On the East side, all five schools felt like they had a chance (to win the division)," said Jones, echoing what his fellow coaches said last week in Birmingham.
Southern and Grambling were the top two teams in the West Division.
"This is our best opportunity to win it since we've been in the SWAC, but you still have to play the games," Jones said. "The other nine teams in the conference aren't going to give us anything, so we better be aware of that."
Source
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
By REGGIE BENSON
Times Sports Staff [email protected]
Bulldogs getting tired of finishing second in SWAC
Since becoming a full-time member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference in 1999, Alabama A&M's football program has been a major player.
The Bulldogs have played in the SWAC Championship Game three times in the last six years, but have yet to claim the title.
A&M's three teams that have reached the championship game were led by tremendous defenses and less-than-stellar offenses. The 2000 team lost to Grambling State 14-6. That year, A&M managed just 146 yards in total offense and its lone touchdown came on a 95-yard fumble return.
In 2002, A&M fell 31-19 to the Tigers, who scored a late touchdown as time expired. Quarterbacks Tim Robinson and Johnny Keith combined to throw four interceptions.
Last year, after trailing Grambling State 12-6 at intermission, A&M self- destructed. The Tigers outscored the Bulldogs 33-0 in the second half.
"We just collapsed in the second half," defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns said Tuesday at the school's first fall sports media day.
That experience, Towns believes, has provided the fuel A&M's players need to make another run at that elusive title. The Bulldogs report today and will hit the practice field Thursday afternoon.
"More kids have watched film this summer than I can remember," Towns said. "They seem to be more determined. We don't have the best talent on defense, but we have an experienced offense.
"A lot of times, you don't win with the best team. The team that wins is the team that has the best chemistry and has a little luck."
That experienced offense is led by quarterback Kelcy Luke, who threw for more than 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. He also rushing for more than 500 yards and eight touchdowns.
A&M returns its top four rushers and seven of its top eight receivers. Four starters are back along the offensive line.
A&M was picked to win the league's East Division title last week at the annual SWAC media day. While that came as no surprise to coach Anthony Jones, he knows it won't be easy.
"On the East side, all five schools felt like they had a chance (to win the division)," said Jones, echoing what his fellow coaches said last week in Birmingham.
Southern and Grambling were the top two teams in the West Division.
"This is our best opportunity to win it since we've been in the SWAC, but you still have to play the games," Jones said. "The other nine teams in the conference aren't going to give us anything, so we better be aware of that."
Source
:smh:
20-24-0-256 yards (2 td passes) 83 rushing yards on 8 carries
