Alabama A&M off to best start in decades

It’s no surprise that Alabama A&M is one of the best teams in HBCU football. The Bulldogs are off to a 5-0 start (4-0 in the SWAC) for the first time since 1966 when Alabama A&M finished 8-1.

Last season, they played for the SWAC championship, losing to Grambling State for the league title. Alabama A&M defeated Grambling State, 38-17, on Sept. 29 in a rematch of the championship game.

The Bulldogs have some great players in quarterback Deaunte Mason and running back Kaderius Lacey. They also have a coach who has been around for a long time. Anthony Jones is in his 11th year as the program’s head coach and has an overall record of 77-45.

Jones has won five division titles. In 2006, he guided Alabama A&M to a 9-3 overall mark and a SWAC championship. He could be headed for another conference title this season. Alabama A&M will visit Mississippi Valley State (1-3 overall, 1-1 SWAC) on Saturday aiming for its sixth consecutive win. Nobody is playing better than the Bulldogs in the SWAC, and there aren’t many teams playing as well as them in the FCS.

In spite of his success, it hasn’t been all about winning football games for Jones. He takes responsibility for not only developing good players but great human beings as well.

Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis, who played for Jones at Alabama A&M, has won a Super Bowl and has been to five Pro Bowls in 10 seasons. Although Jones is impressed with what Mathis has accomplished on the field, he was extremely pleased when Mathis received his college degree from Alabama A&M in 2010.

“For him to go back and get his degree, it just validates our institution,” Jones said. “It just validates him. He understood his purpose here, but also went back and finished his degree. I just think it’s a great story.”

Notes

Alabama A&M QB Deaunte Mason has been named the SWAC Offensive Player of the Week. Mason completed 13-of-18 passes for 247 yards while throwing three touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 38-17 win over Grambling State.

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