Alabama A&M: Bulldogs' offense shows promise in season opener

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -Alabama A&M's offense was searching for an identity this time last year.

The Bulldogs had lost running back Ulysses Banks, their all-time leading rusher, wide receiver Thomas Harris, their all-time leading receiver, and center Xavier Manuel and guard Charles Meade, who were three-year starters. Throw in the fact that quarterback Deaunte Mason had only made five career starts and that made things even more harrowing.

A&M then went out and played awful in its season opener against Tennessee State, losing 27-14 in a game that wasn't that close.

Mason threw a pair of interceptions and was sacked seven times and hit countless others. Of the Bulldogs' first nine possessions, they punted six times, committed two turnovers and turned the ball over on downs once.

"We weren't very good last year," said Mason, who missed the bulk of the season after suffering a groin injury.

The Bulldogs finished third in the league in rushing (171.2), sixth in total offense (326.8) and ninth in scoring (20.1) and passing (155.6).

Fast forward to this season and A&M's offense was significantly better in Saturday's season opener against Hampton.

Despite suffering a21-20 setback, the Bulldogs finished with more than 400 yards in total offense and were equally effective running or throwing the football.

A&M rushed for 162 yards, led by 116 from Kaderius Lacey, and passed for 244 more. The Bulldogs, who had four plays of 20 yards or more, including two over 50, had the ball for more than 31 minutes.

"I'm excited to see how explosive we can be," said Mason, who finished with 295 yards in total offense and a touchdown.



"We didn't put up the points we should have, but we know we're capable of putting up a lot of points."

The two most encouraging signs of the offense was the play of the line and the wide receivers.

With two new starters [- left guard Bryant Ross and right tackle Alan Cruz [- the offensive line held up well until the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the receivers, led by newcomer Montarius Smith and holdover Torey Smith, who combined for eight catches for 187 yards, were solid.

"I see a lot of positive things," left tackle Jamaal Johnson-Webb said. "I'm encouraged because we really moved the ball at will against their defense. Every time we got stopped, we stopped ourselves. We've just got to get the offense on the same page. We can move the ball. We've just got to concentrate for four quarters."

A&M (0-1) will try to pick up its first win Saturday when it visits Southern (0-1) in the SWAC opener for both teams. Kickoff is 6 p.m.

The Bulldogs had little trouble moving the ball against the Jaguars last year. A&M rolled up 455 yards in total offense in a 34-14 win over Southern a year ago. Southern coach Stump Mitchell knows what to expect.

"They handled us pretty easily last year," Mitchell said. "We've just got to be able to match their intensity. It's a physical brand of football. It's been a physical brand of football since Coach Jones has been at A&M. And we have to be ready for that type of football game."