BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama State captured its second East Division title in three years and a berth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Football Championship Game on December 13, 2003 at Birmingham’s Legion Field.
Alcorn State, winner six or their last seven games ended their season on a positive note, beating Jackson State for the first time in nine years.
Alabama A&M took out their frustrations on Arkansas-Pine Bluff and hopes to get a favorable nod to participate in the NCAA I-AA play-offs.
The West division title will be settled next week with the winner of the Southern – Grambling State clash in the Bayou Classic.
WEEK THIRTEEN REVIEWS
Alabama A&M 50, Ark.-Pine Bluff 0, at Huntsville, AL (4,893)
The Bulldogs posted their third shut-out of the year rolling 50-0 over Ark.-Pine Bluff in their regular season finale.
Senior RB Jeremiah Bonds recorded his fifth 100+ yd game of the season, rushing for 159 yds (26 carries) enough to put him over 1,000 yds on the season (1,097).
The AAMU defense forced six turnovers (4 interceptions, 2 fumbles), scoring on a safety in the first quarter (00:59) and a 70-yd interception return in the fourth quarter (4:40) to help totally dominate the Golden Lions.
Offensively, Alabama A&M rolled up 531 yds of Total Offense (329 rush, 202 pass) while limiting Ark.-Pine Bluff to 67 yds of Offense (15 rush, 52 pass). QB Johnny Keith passed for 202 yds (14-23-2) and 2 TDs, while Jeremiah Bonds scored 1 TD, rushing for 159 yds on 26 carries. WR Travis Martin caught six passes for 93 yds and 1 TD.
Defensively, UAPB’s Terrell Hammond turned in the game’s top performance with 12 tackles (10 solo) with 1 TFL (1). The Bulldogs top defensive performer was Wesley Bynum who finished the game with 7 tackles (5 solo) and 2 TFLs (3).
Alcorn State 49, Jackson State 25, at Jackson, MS (45,000)
Alcorn State chalked up their first win over Jackson State in nine years with a 49-25 win in the Capital city Classic. Alcorn State finished their season on a 5-game win streak, winning 6 of their last 7 games.
Braves’ QB Donald Carrie accounted for six TDs (3 pass, 3 rush) passing for 259 yds (13-27) and rushing for 44 more to rack up 299 yds in Total Offense. Jackson State QB Robert Kent passed for 194 yds and 1 TD, with WR Chris Jones catching five passes for 74 yds.
Offensively, Alcorn State rolled up 625 yds of Total Offense (366 rush, 259 pass) while Jackson State generated 311 yds of Offense (117 rush, 194 pass).
Defensively, Alcorn State’s Omega Logan was the game’s top performer recording 10 tackles (10 solo) with 1 QB hurry. Jackson State’s James McGowen was credited with 9 tackles (6 solo).
Alabama State 38, Texas Southern 26, at Houston, TX (1,052)
Alabama State captured the SWAC East division title with their 38-26 win over Texas Southern in a nearly empty (1,052) Reliant Astrodome. For Alabama State, this is the Hornets second division title in three years.
After a tightly contested first half that saw Texas Southern hold leads of 7-0 (11:44, 1st qtr) and 10-7 (9:08, 2nd qtr), Alabama State took a 14-10 lead into the halftime intermission. The Hornets scored 10 unanswered points in the third quarter on a pair of 73-yd drives for a 24-10 lead. The Tigers opened the fourth quarter scoring (14:48) with a 29-yd FG, closing the score to 24-13, but the Hornets countered with a pair of TDs (10:41 & 8:09) to move out to a comfortable 38-13 lead. Texas Southern put up two more TDs (6:43 & 1:35) to close out the scoring and their season.
Offensively, Alabama State rolled up 487 yds of Total Offense (294 rush, 193 pass) and Texas Southern generated 296 yds of Offense (79 rush, 217 pass). The Hornets had two players turn in 100+ rushing days as Robert Randolph picked up 141 yds on 21 carries and Keldrick Williams gained 139 yds and 1 TD on 26 carries. QB Tavaris Jackson passed for 193 yds (17-28-0) and 3 TDs.
Defensively, Alabama State LB Ronald Dillon finished the game with 16 tackles (11 solo), 3 TFLs (3) with 1 sack (1) and 1 QB hurry. Texas Southern’s Stacey Thomas finished the game with 11 tackles (7 solo) and 1 TFL (1).
