Oct. 14, 2006
Final Stats
Alabama A&M stormed to a 21-0 lead in the first half Saturday and seemed in control with the Luke brothers, quarterback Kelcy and running back Nic, setting personal and school records. Then reality paid a visit in the second half in the form of the Stillman Tigers and quarterback Charles McCullum. McCullum's rally fell just short as A&M's Frank Moore's interception stopped a possible game-tying drive in the final minute - AAMU 21, Stillman 14.
Alabama A&M, which has been prone to slow starts all season, scored on its second possession, a six-play 63-yard drive capped by a Tedric Milton 28-yard touchdown reception from Kelcy Luke. The catch was Milton's first career touchdown and his first reception of the season. The point after was blocked.
The Bulldogs added two more scores in the second quarter, a 25-yard pass from Kelcy Luke to Jacques Pyant and a Kevin Francis 15-yard reception from Luke.
Turnovers and miscues would allow Stillman back in the game in the second half. The Tigers turned a fumble recovery at the A&M 42-yard-line into their first score at the 3:04 mark of the third quarter. Marcus Bryant scored on an eight-yard pass from McCullum. Stillman scored again with 14:04 to play on another A&M miscue. Bulldog punter Rashan Cylar muffed a snap and was tackled at the A&M 20 to give the Tigers the ball.
Six plays later the Tigers were in the end zone on another eight-yard strike from McCullum, this time to Quinn Porter. Stillman would get two more possessions, but squander the opportunities to tie.
McCullum finished 11-29 for 258 yards passing and two scores. Denatay Heard led the Tiger receiving corps with 108 yards on just two catches.
Nic Luke, who has been nursing an injured groin the past month, set the Alabama A&M career rushing record, measured from when the Bulldogs turned NCAA Division I-AA in 1998, with a 48-yard weaving scamper on his first rush midway through the second quarter. Nic would finish with 83 yards on 11 carries and now has 1746 yards in his A&M career, breaking the mark of 1680 held by Jeremiah Bonds.
Kelcy Luke came just 15 yards short of capturing the same record for passing. His career high 297-yard output moved him to 3494 career passing yards. Johnnie Keith holds the record at 3508.
Alabama A&M finished with eight sacks on the night for a total of 47 yards.
