HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - When Alabama A&M fullback Bryan Nelson takes the field Saturday, he'll be trying to help the Bulldogs win the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship.

He'll also be playing for his brother.

Nelson's older brother, Tavoris Mitchell, passed away more than a year ago due to complications from open heart surgery. He had had open heart surgery six years ago. Mitchell was just 34 years old and his birthday is Saturday.

"I broke down after we beat Prairie View because I knew we would be playing on his birthday," Nelson said. "He was like my father. He never missed a game. My mom and dad worked two jobs and my brother had me with him all the time."

Mitchell's death took a toll on Nelson. He took it so hard that he almost gave up on football.

"I was out of it," Nelson said. "It hurt. It was hard for me to get back on track with football, but (A&M) coach (Anthony) Jones stuck with me and I thank him for that."

If A&M (8-3) beats Grambling (7-4) Saturday to win the SWAC championship, maybe Jones should thank Nelson. The 5-foot-8, 242-pound redshirt sophomore from Bessemer has played a key role in the Bulldogs' march to the title game.

Kickoff is noon at Birmingham's Legion Field. The game will be televised on ESPNU and can be heard on 90.9 FM.

Nelson made his first career start against Grambling on Sept. 24 and since entering the lineup, A&M is 7-1.

He has primarily served as a blocking back for Kaderius Lacey, but that's fine with him.

"My job is to open holes for Kaderius," said Nelson, who has carried the ball two times for six yards and a touchdown. "Kaderius has been a workhorse for us. He's been setting up the blocks for me to make. Big ups to him."

With Nelson in front of him, Lacey has topped the 100-yard mark four times, including 178 yards and two touchdowns against Grambling.

"I couldn't have had the year I've had without Bryan and our offensive line," Lacey said. "They've made my job a lot easier."

There has been nothing easy about Nelson's career.

He was recruited to play inside linebacker, but after redshirting as a freshman, grew into a fullback.

"I gained some weight and coach Jones sat me down and told me they needed me on the offensive side of the ball," Nelson said.

Nelson played sparingly last season and suffered a knee injury during the offseason that required surgery and prevented him from participating in spring practice. He fell down the depth chart, but was able work his way onto the depth chart during preseason practice.

Still, he watched from the sidelines as Joseph Porter started the first three games.

"I was hoping for an opportunity to present itself," Nelson said.

Running backs coach Andy Fuller gave Nelson the opportunity he was looking for after the Tuskegee game.

"He told me to get ready," Nelson remembered. "On Tuesday before the Grambling game, he told me to get in and we've been rocking and rolling ever since."

Fuller couldn't be happier.

"We gave him an opportunity and he ran with it," he said. "He went in there, did what he had to do and he hasn't looked back. He's not taking it for granted because he knows it could change any day or any play. He has been doing a great job all year.

"He's a little bigger than Porter and because he played linebacker, he gives us that physicality that you need at fullback. He hits the hole and gets Kaderius where he needs to be. He's a big key to Kaderius's success along with the offensive line."

While Nelson is thrilled with the year he's had, he says it won't be complete unless A&M wins the championship.

Nelson's brother, Antonio, was on A&M's 2006 SWAC championship team. Bryan wants a ring of his own.

"The job is not finished until there are zeros on the scoreboard and we're holding up the championship trophy," he said. "During Thanksgiving, Antonio held his ring in my face and said 'get you one'. I'm going to get me one."