Alabama A&M: Jones takes blame for Hampton loss

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -A day after his team blew a 17-0 halftime lead and had a last-second, potential game-winning field goal blocked as time expired in a heartbreaking 21-20 loss to Hampton in the Chicago Classic, Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones blamed himself Sunday.

The Bulldogs dominated the Pirates the first 30 minutes, using a punishing ground game and some timely passes, to take a 17-0 lead at intermission.

A&M hardly resembled the same team in the second half, particularly in the third quarter, when it managed just two first downs as Hampton battled back and trailed just 17-14 entering the fourth quarter.

"We didn't play with the same enthusiasm or energy in the second half and it showed, particularly in the third quarter," Jones said. "We had breakdowns across the board. When that happens, I've got to take the blame for it. We're going to work harder and try to hold our concentration some more."

That will be especially important in the kicking game.

The Bulldogs made two huge mistakes in that area and it ended up costing them the game.

In addition to the field goal at the end of the game, A&M's punt team had a breakdown in the third quarter that set up the Pirates' second touchdown.

Punter Chance Wilson, feeling the pressure, avoided the first wave of defenders and was on the verge of getting the kick off when he was tackled from behind and fumbled.



Hampton recovered and scored five plays later to pull within 17-14.

"They did a simple twist," Jones said. "It's something we should have picked up in our sleep. We got a little lazy. Maybe we were tired or our minds wandered.

"We were high off the ball on the field goal. The first two field goals we made we did our proper technique and steps and we were fine. That particular time we got pushed back and they got way too much penetration."

Despite the loss, Jones says the Bulldogs don't have time to feel sorry for themselves. A&M visits Southern Saturday night in the Southwestern Athletic Conference opener for both teams. Southern lost 33-7 at Tennessee State Saturday.

"We made a bunch of mistakes, but I'm still excited about my football team," Jones said. "No one is happy about the outcome of the game. It happened. We're going to deal with it. We've corrected our mistakes and we're going to move forward.

"We're going to make the adjustments we need to make and be a better football team for it. That loss is over and done with. We can't go back and get that win. We're going to learn from it and move forward and that's what we plan to do."