HOUSTON – “It was a complete game,” said 11th year head coach Anthony Jones about the contest today versus Texas Southern University.
It was a game of first for A&M as wide receivers Torey Smith scored his first touchdown on a 61-yard pass and catch while Terrance Pride caught his first TD on an 11-yard pass reception. Running backs Terrell Badie posted double digit carries and his first touchdown and Brendon Johnson got his first start and finished with 105 all-purpose yards. Quarterbacks David Isabelle saw action while Deaunte Mason recorded back-to-back games with three rushing touchdowns and a least two passing TD’s. Wide receiver Demario Ross played in his first game and posted his first two receptions and defensive backs Chris Ervin and A.J. Clark recorded their first interception.
“We felt like we made some mistakes today but I feel we played a complete game as a team,” Jones mentioned. “We have some areas that need attention and we will continue to improve upon them.”
Four and O is Jones best start as the leader of the AAMU football program. The 4-0 start is also A&M’s best since the 1966 team when then head coach Louis Crews won eight straight contests.
The Bulldog offense was on point today scoring on six of their 11 drives versus Texas Southern.
The game was close in the first quarter only as A&M opened the scoring with a five play 37 yard drive that started with an Ervin pick that led to a one yard Mason rush.
TSU scored their first six points on the second drive of the game on a 44 yard TD pass and catch from Randolph Johnson to Fred Plummer.
From there it was all Bulldogs as they scored their second TD with Smith’s 61-yarder, then Mason found Terrance Pride in the second quarter for an 11 yard pass, to push the score to 21-6. Mason then ended an eight play 72 yard drive with an 11 yard TD rush which was complimented with another 1 yard rush to push the score to 35-6 in the third quarter.
Texas Southern finally found life against the second string defense with an eight play 75 yard drive of their own to make the score 35-13.
After some hard nose running, Badie would not be withheld from the end zone breaking two tackles to secure his first six points of his collegiate career.
“I saw the endzone and I was determined to make it in,” Badie quoted.
“We are pleased to get this victory,” Jones said. “Everything came together for us today.”
This was Jones 94th career victory as a head coach and his 76th at the helm of the Maroon & White program.
The back to back 40 plus point games has not been seen by an A&M team since the 2007 season when five different opponents seen 40 or more by the Bulldogs.
Alabama A&M will look to continue the streak when they welcome Grambling State University on Saturday, Sept. 29th in the third annual Louis Crews Classic and Hall of Fame Game. The contest is set for 6 p.m. and will be played live on ESPN3 and tape delayed on ESPNU.
