SWAC Sorting Out As Alabama A&M Edges State in the Battle of Alabama

Alabama State entered the 66th Magic City Classic as a decided underdog to archrival Alabama A & M. After all, the Bulldogs were the defending SWAC champions. They'd also won four out of the last five in the series. And, they were 6-1 on the season, and leading the eastern division with a 4-1 SWAC record.
On the other hand, ASU entered the game by dropping their last three games.

Still, a stout defensive effort kept the Hornets in the game, but ASU simply couldn't generate enough offense as they fell 13-9. After neither team scored in the first quarter, the Bulldogs got it going in the second.
Jeremy Licea knocked through a 27-yard field goal to open the scoring. Four minutes later, A & M took advantage of ASU's fumbled punt at their own 17-yard line. Three plays later, Ulysses Bank slammed in from one yard out to build the lead to 10-0.

ASU needed a break to get back into the game, and got one courtesy of a punt block by Brandon Averett setting the Hornets up on the A & M's 19-yard line. However ASU's offense couldn't move the ball. They did pick up 10 yards thanks to a pass interference call. However, three straight incomplete passes left the Hornets with a 4th and goal on the 9.
Jeremy Fetterhoff, place kicker, who had made none of his four field goal attempts this year, in front of the biggest crowd he'd ever seen banged it through - making the score 10-3. A & M took the ensuing kickoff and drove to the Hornets' 36-yard line. Facing a 4th and 1, A & M went for it. ASU's defense rose up once again, as Rechard Johnson and Adrian Hardy drilled Banks behind the line of scrimmage giving ASU the ball.

Helped by a couple of Bulldog penalties, ASU's offense starting moving. Behind 21-yard reception by Peck and a key 4th down catch by Steve Briggs, the Hornets were on the 1-yard line. Peck powered in to bring ASU within one. Fetterhoff came on for the extra point, but A & M's defense broke through and block the kick, leaving the score 10-9.
Licea's 4th quarter field goal pushed the lead to 13-9. With exactly 4 minutes left, ASU started on its own 16 yard l line. After two Peck rushes gained 16 yards and couple of incomplete passes, quarterback Chris Mitchell hit Antonio James for a 28 yard gain. Mitchell then ran 16 yards to the A & M 30. On 3rd and 9, Mitchell's pass was intercepted by Al Donaldson, clinching the game for the Bulldogs and the defensive MVP award for himself. Kelcy Luke, the offensive MVP, was 18-30 for 151 yards, while rushing for 62 more.

The ASU defense, despite giving up 406 yards, was strong in the red zone. A & M was held to 13 points, way off their average of 36 per game. And, A & M scored on only 50% of its red zone trips, far less than their average of 95%.

Alabama A&M
Offense
Note: Only a Sophomore TB Ulysses Banks 5’8.5” 192 has wiggle, wriggle and stronger than his size would suggest a little like James Brooks, but not as smooth in the passing game. His 25 carries, 132 yards rushing and 3 receptions for 33 yards made him, by far the most consistently effective weapon for either offense.
QB # 9 Kelcy Luke 6’0.1”4.66 [est.] is an efficient and tough college field general a little like a faster Major Harris, what position he might be able to play at the next level is up for debate, SS or RB are possibilities as a QB against a solid defense he passed for 151 yards completing 18 passes on 30 attempts. His lack of height and the simplified offense he has run make it unlikely he can play QB unless after some time in the Arena League or CFL he refines his passing skills he has a decent arm but he has not been asked to make NFL type throws or reads.

DEFENSE Notes:
OLB #55 Avery Moland 5’11.1” 232 4.94 [est.] Moland had another solid game, with 3 solos 2 helping hands, 1TFL, 1FF and 1PBU. His lack of size and timed speed means the indoor game most likely but he could catch an eye in camp and has an outside chance to be a special teams/special package LB.
Junior Al Donaldson #28 5’9.4” 173 4.48 [est.] was the DB who looked best in coverage for either team, he had 2 solo tackles, 2 assists, 2 INTs, 2 PBUs, and 1 fumble returned for 15 yards, he looked quick, showed good awareness, hips and ball skills.

Alabama A&M
OFFENSE
TB#20 Jay Peck 510.7” 202 4.59 [est.] was almost completely held in check with only 53 yards on 11 carries and had 1 catch for 21 yards, while he had a productive day with the exception of the catch and a 10 yard run he had no double digit gains.
DEFENSE
Notes:
RS Freshman WHIP SS/LB combo Rechard Johnson 5’10.3” 182 4.54 [est] was one of the most impressive players on either side of the ball for either team. He had 7 solo tackles and 7 clean ups on aisle pain, he had 3 solo TFLs and assisted on 2 more, the only issue is he is still more LB than DB he is still much better in the box than in coverage and he is small for a SS. Still he demands watching as he hits with passion and surprising power and he seems like he has good upside.

Hey Bill... how did Frank Moore (CB A&M) look? I've heard he's got all the physical tools, but I'd be interested to hear if he's technically sound. I think he's still an underclassman.

Moore is Small, he's listed at 5'9" 170, I bet he's more like 5'8.3" 164, but hips and feet are like Mercry, he stays in his back pedal a little too long and he cn take some bad angles. I would guess he's a mid 4.4s to 4.48 in the 40.