Lacey leading the way for Alabama A&M

Original story

It’s always nice to hand the ball off to a player who can get a first down or make a big play.

Alabama A&M has that kind of talent in running back Kaderius Lacey, who has been a huge part of the team’s ground game.

Lacey finished with 17 carries for 124 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score on a 43-yard run, in Alabama A&M’s 14-10 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. As a result, he was selected as the SWAC Offensive Player of the Week. After two games, he’s averaging 5.9 yards per carry, ranking second in the SWAC with 171 rushing yards on 29 attempts.

Lacey has consistently been one of the best running backs in the FCS. Last season, he had 285 attempts for 1,143 yards and eight TDs and averaged 4.0 yards a carry. The 6-0, 218-pounder led Alabama A&M to the SWAC championship game , in which it lost a close contest to Grambling State 16-15. Lacey had 28 carries for 86 yards and an 11-yard TD run in that loss.

The Bulldogs running back doesn’t do anything fancy. He just grinds it out and runs with power between the tackles. He knows how to make players miss in the open field. Expect the senior to receive some NFL looks once the season is over. He’s that good.

“Kaderius is a good football player,” said Bulldogs coach Anthony Jones. “He works hard. He had a good offseason. I think what makes Kaderius a really good football player is his understanding of what you can do. I think once you come to terms with what your strengths are you can be a better football player. Kaderius has done that.”

In addition to the recent win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Alabama A&M owns a 7-6 victory over in-state Division II rival Tuskegee University.

The Bulldogs will host Prairie View A&M (0-2) on Saturday night in its home opener at Louis Crews Stadium in Huntsville, Ala.

Alabama A&M will try to control the tempo, and the best way to do that is to keep the ball in the hands of Lacey.

Notes

Speaking of running backs, Mississippi Valley State’s Brandon Stansell had 167 yards on 16 attempts in a 29-7 loss to Alabama State. Stansell leads the SWAC with 193 yards.
Norfolk State running back Brendon Riddick was named the MEAC Offensive Player of the Week. Riddick, a 5-11, 210-pound freshman, came off the bench to record career highs in rushing, yards and touchdowns to help the Spartans defeat Liberty 31-24. He had 21 carries for 150 yards with three TDs in the win.
Bethune-Cookman cornerback Dion Hanks was chosen as the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week. Hanks grabbed to interceptions to help B-CU defeat South Carolina State 27-14. His two interceptions led to a game-tying scoring drive in the first half and also helped to put the game away for the Wildcats.

The 2012 Boxtorow HBCU Football Media Top 10 Poll

1. Bethune-Cookman
2. Norfolk State
3. Winston-Salem State
4. Alabama A&M
5. Tennessee State
6. South Carolina State
7. Alabama State
8. Jackson State
9. Alcorn State
10. Texas Southern

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