BOXSCORE
CHICAGO – The Alabama A&M Bulldogs held a 17-0 lead at halftime in the 14th Annual Chicago Classic but couldn’t maintain it in the second half losing a heartbreaker to Hampton University 21-20.
The game did not begin until 4:15 p.m. due to rain and lighting in the area. But once the clouds roll over both teams hit the field creating excitement.
Junior Vernon Marshall started things off for A&M with his first interception of the season on the third play from scrimmage. On the Maroon & White’s first drive of 2011, starting quarterback Deaunte Mason was headed out-of bounds when Hampton’s Jamie Curry stripe the ball giving the Pirates another chance on offense. But the Bulldog defense stood strong and held the Pirates for a second straight series.
On the Bulldogs second drive of the game Mason connected with redshirt freshman Montarius Smith for 51 yards setting up a 15 yard run by Mason to put A&M up 7-0. A&M would then put three on the board in the second quarter with a 41 yard field goal by junior Chance Wilson.
After a three play one yard drive by the Pirates the Bulldogs would score their last touchdown of the game when junior runningback Kaderius Lacey rushed in from five-yards for his first score of the new season. That ended the first half in the windy city classic.
At the start of the third quarter A&M earned one first down before punting for only the third time in the game. The Pirates would then institute a 16 play 86 yard drive chewing up 6:04 on the clock resulting in their first score of 2011.
Hampton scored again after Alabama A&M’s second straight three and out coming within three points 17-14. The Pirates were perfect in the quarter on third down conversions finishing 5-5.
In A&M’s opening drive of the fourth quarter they would score their final points in the game as Wilson hit his second field goal from 34 yards out. Hampton needed only five plays to take their first lead on an Antwon Chislom four yard run. The Maroon & White ran eight plays for 26 yards but was stymied by the Pirates defense after eight plays for 26 yards.
Hampton went three and out before the Bulldogs would start the final drive of the contest. After the first two plays the Bulldogs were staring at a third and long. Mason hit Torey Smith for 27 yards igniting the crowd and sideline picking up the much needed first. Alabama A&M then drove the ball to the middle of the field setting up a Wilson field goal to win the game. After the snap Hampton got push in the middle of the line and blocked the kick securing the Pirates first victory over head coach Anthony Jones and the Bulldogs.
A&M gave up 248 yards on the ground but stood tall holding the Pirates to a mere 99 yards passing.
Leading the way for A&M was Lacey who finished the game with 116 yards on 29 carries. Mason went 16 of 29 for 244 yards and 51 yards rushing on 12 carries. Torey Smith and Montarius Smith led all receivers in the game with a combined total of eight receptions for 187 yards.
The Bulldogs will travel to Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday, September 10 to face their first Southwestern Athletic Conference foe the Jaguars of Southern University. Kick-off is slated for 6:00 p.m.
