HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Alabama A&M quarterback Deaunte Mason, who sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee midway through the second quarter in the regular-season finale against Prairie View and never returned, said the injury won't keep him from playing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game.

A&M (8-3) takes on Grambling (7-4) in the title game at Birmingham's Legion Field on Dec. 10. Kickoff is noon and the game will be televised on ESPNU.

"I feel very confident I will be ready," Mason said Wednesday afternoon after doing some individual drills with trainer Michael Dye. "I played in all 11 games and nothing is going to stop me from playing in the biggest game of the season."

Mason underwent three days of treatment last week before Thanksgiving and came back on Sunday and has been having treatment twice a day.

"I've been working out in the pool, done some ice and stem and other rehab workouts," he said.

Mason participated in some individual drills Wednesday with Dye for the first time since sustaining the injury.

"It feels good," said Mason, who had a brace surrounding his left knee. "I was taking quick, three-step drops and five-step drops. It's just a little tight right now. I'm trying to get the stiffness out."

While Mason has played football a number of years, he said he's never played with a brace.

"It's kind of uncomfortable, but I'll get used to it," he said.

Dye was encouraged with the work Mason did Wednesday.

"He's getting stronger and he's not having as much pain, so that's good," Dye said. "We're just taking it day by day and we'll see how it goes."