Alabama A&M: Marshall makes his presence felt early for Bulldogs (Notes)

CHICAGO, Ill. [- Vernon Marshall, Alabama A&M's leading tackler a year ago, didn't waste any time making his presence felt Saturday.

On the third play of the game, Marshall picked off a pass from Hampton quarterback David Legree and returned it five yards to the Hampton 49-yard line. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs couldn't take advantage of it as quarterback Deaunte Mason fumbled three plays later, giving the ball back to the Pirates.

Marshall finished with a team-high 10 tackles, including five solos, and an interception. He was named the game's Most Valuable Defensive Player.

Smith makes big play early

Wide receiver Montarius Smith, who has been compared to former Alabama A&M standout Thomas Harris, came up with the Bulldogs' first big play of the season.

Smith had a 51-yard catch and run on A&M's second possession of the game to set up the Bulldogs' first touchdown. He finished with 148 all-purpose yards. He had five catches for 89 yards, returned three kickoffs for 48 yards and returned three punts for 11 yards.

Jones didn't see last play

Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones didn't get a good look at Chance Wilson's potential game-winning field as time expired Saturday in the Chicago Classic.

Jones was trying to call timeout when Hampton blocked Wilson's 34-yard attempt.

"I was on the field trying to call time out so I didn't see it," Jones said. "I was trying to get the official's attention. I was on the field calling time out and the next thing I knew the ball was snapped and I heard the double thud of the ball ... the kick and the block."

Costly decision

The Bulldogs appeared to have stopped Hampton on its first possession of the second half, but Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones decided to take a holding call on a third-and-11 play. The Pirates scored on a third-and-11 the next play to pull within 17-7 and eventually came all the way back to take the 21-20 victory.

"It would have been fourth-and-6 opposed to third-and-22," Jones said. "We pushed them back and expected to hold them and make them take a testy field goal. We had good coverage.



They just made the play."

Bulldogs got complacent

Punter/kicker Chance Wilson said the Bulldogs finish Saturday's game and as a result they lost.

Alabama A&M built a 17-0 halftime lead, but allowed Hampton to get back in the game and ended up losing 21-20.

"We didn't come back out the same way we started the game," said Wilson, who's 34-yard potential game-winning field goal was blocked as time expired. "We got complacent."

Fuller says blocking broke down on field goal attempt

Willie Fuller got a good look at Alabama A&M's last play Saturday.

The Bulldogs' starting inside linebacker, Fuller was on the sideline when placekicker Chance Wilson's potential game-winning field goal was blocked.

"They came right up the middle," said Fuller, who finished with nine tackles, one tackle for loss and recovered a fumble. "It was a good snap and a good hold. It was the blocking.

"Our blocking broke down on the punt and on the field goal."

Lacey says Bulldogs will bounce back

Running back Kaderius Lacey said Alabama A&M has no time to hang its head after Saturday's heartbreaking 21-20 loss to Hampton. The Bulldogs open Southwestern Athletic Conference play Saturday at Southern.

"We know we should have won that game," he said. "We're upset, but we've got to get better. We dominated the first half. We gave it away. It hurts, but all we can do is move forward.

"We're going to bounce back. We believe in the system. We'll get there."

Plenty of newcomers see first action

A number of Bulldogs played for the first time in their careers Saturday.

The list included defensive linemen Corey Hart, Melvin Payne, Jawanza Vickers, Montay Rover, Quintin Robinson and Brandon Savage, defensive backs A.J. Clark, Chris Ervin, Nicholas Shoaf, Luther Snipe, Tae Keith, Theron Rice and Jamel Morris, linebacker Jimelle James, fullback Joseph Porter, offensive lineman Alan Cruz, wide receivers Montarius Smith and Reshaad DeJarnett and holder Terrance Pride just to name a few.