Alabama A&M: Bulldog buzz

Game basics

Alabama A&M (0-1) at Southern (0-1) Mumford Stadium, Baton Rouge, La., 6 p.m. Radio: 90.9 FM

This game will determine ...

If Alabama A&M is going to be a contender or a pretender for the SWAC championship. A loss would send shock waves through Bulldogs country. Southern is 2-10 under second-year coach Stump Mitchell and that includes a 34-14 thumping by A&M last season in Huntsville. If the Bulldogs don't beat the Jaguars, who were trounced 33-7 last week by Tennessee State, talk of coach Anthony Jones' possible contract extension will go away, particularly when you consider how A&M collapsed last week against Hampton.

Three things to look for:

1. Quarterback Deaunte Mason. Mason had a field day last year against Southern, accounting for almost 300 yards in total offense and four touchdown passes. Mason had 295 yards in total offense, more than any other quarterback in the SWAC last week, in a 21-20 loss to Hampton.

2. Running back Kaderius Lacey. Lacey recorded his fourth career 100-yard game last week and should get his fifth tonight. Southern allowed 342 yards rushing last week against Tennessee State, including a whopping 7.1 yards per carry average.

3.



Alabama A&M's defensive line. This unit got little done last week. Three first-time starters [- DE Phillip Harvey and DTs Montay Rover and Jawanza Vickers [- are being asked to play a lot better.

Key matchup: Alabama A&M's secondary vs. Southern quarterbacks Dray Joseph and J.P. Dousglas. The Bulldogs allowed only 99 yards passing last week, but free safety Rico Porch and company will be challenged tonight by the Jaguars' speedy receivers. In a losing effort last week, Joseph and Douglas combined to complete 16-of-33 passes for 263 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The return of senior cornerback Clarence Morris, who has been hampered by a pulled hamstring, could be a huge key.

Significant injuries

Alabama A&M: DT Tim Tillman (hamstring), DE Clarence Lovell (ankle) and DE Melvin Payne (ankle) are out.