BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – For the primary time in practically a decade, No. 25 Alabama A&M (4-0, 3-0 SWAC) gained the SWAC East Division champion and earned a berth within the league title sport with a 38-14 rout of rival Alabama State (3-3, 3-2 SWAC) within the 79th Annual Magic Metropolis Basic on Saturday.
The win locks up the seventh total East Division title for the Bulldogs and their first since 2011. They beforehand earned that honor in 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2009. It additionally snaps Alcorn State’s run of six straight titles because the Braves transfer to the West subsequent 12 months. Of these championships, the 2006 title holds a particular place in program historical past as its solely total SWAC Championship and can also be becoming for Spring 2023.
That season A&M defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff within the title sport and can face them this 12 months with the chance to doubtlessly host the sport at Louis Crews Stadium. A win over Mississippi Valley State subsequent weekend would ship the groups into tiebreakers to find out the place that sport could be performed whereas a loss will put it in Pine Bluff.
Senior quarterback Aqeel Glass was dominant once more with a 25-of-40 efficiency that noticed him compile 372 yards by means of the air, three touchdowns, no interceptions and even a team-high 45 yards speeding on 5 makes an attempt.
Additionally learn: Aqeel Glass was the one Bulldog Alabama A&M wanted in opposition to Jackson State
The primary beneficiary of that aerial spotlight reel was senior broad receiver Zabrian Moore (Tuscaloosa) who registered 138 yards receiving on 4 catches, two that went for scores. Not far behind him was sophomore wideout Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim (Miramar, Fla.) with seven grabs and 102 yards whereas second-year broad receiver Odieu Hilarie (Belle Glade, Fla.) caught 5 for 32 yards and the opposite rating.
On the bottom junior working again Gary Quarles (Cottondale, Ala.) notched simply 40 yards however put two within the endzone to spherical out the day’s touchdowns.
Defensively, junior Marcus Cushine (Broward County, Fla.) bought to the quarterback twice for a pair of sacks totaling 15 yards and redshirt-senior linebacker Quantravis Kelly (Montgomery, Ala.) racked up 10 tackles, seven solo and a pair for loss. Senior linebacker Armoni Holloway (Pinson, Ala.) and junior nook Ja’Marian Inexperienced (Belle Glade, Fla.) every had six tackles, the latter all solo, and redshirt-senior Amari Holloway (Pinson, Ala.) got here up with a key blocked punt.
Neither staff would mild up the scoreboard within the first quarter as ASU’s Jacory Merritt ran it in from one yard out to cap a 95-yard, 11-play drive on the 8:30 mark for a 7-0 lead. The Bulldogs answered with considered one of Quarles’ two TDs, this one from seven yards out with 3:14 left within the opening body.
Halfway by means of the second, the Hornets Michael Jefferson caught a nine-yard landing to retake the lead and Quarles as soon as once more answered again, this time with a 15-yard scamper into the endzone to knot it again up at 14-14 with 6:42 left within the half.
With their drive on the finish of the body stalled, Alabama State was pressured to punt with 9 seconds on the clock, solely to see Amari Holloway come crashing in to dam it and provides the ball again to A&M with 4 seconds left and the prospect at a protracted subject purpose. Lined up from 46-yards out, redshirt-junior kicker Spencer Corey (New Palestine, Ind.) was equal to the duty as he drilled it residence for a 17-14 lead on the break.
With that punt block and ensuing subject purpose, the momentum modified fully. Glass and the Bulldogs got here out slinging it as he hit Moore for a 44-yard rating lower than three minutes into the third and adopted with a 38-yard strike to the speedy wideout to blow the sport open at 31-14 with 3:17 left within the body.
A&M would add a two-yard TD to Hilaire firstly of the fourth after which salt away their fourth straight Magic Metropolis Basic victory, this one giving them an East Division title and a spot within the SWAC Championship.
Courtesy: AAMU Athletics
Supply hyperlink
Powered by WPeMatico
