NASHVILLE - Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones' worst fears came true Saturday night on the opening kickoff against Tennessee State. 

The Bulldogs, who have struggled covering kicks in past years, gave up an 89-yard kickoff return to Ray Weatherspoon on the opening kickoff and never recovered. Weatherspoon was untouched on the play.

The Tigers led 27-0 at intermission. The 27 points were more than they scored in a game all of last year.

Offense struggles early

Early on, Alabama A&M's offense looked like a unit that had lost its all-time leading rusher and all-time leading receiver.

The Bulldogs, playing without running back Ulysses Banks and wide receiver Thomas Harris, went three and out on their first four possessions and didn't pick up their first first down until almost two minutes into the second quarter. A&M had just four first downs and only 68 yards [- 25 yards rushing and 43 passing [- in total offense at intermission and allowed four sacks.

A&M's best two drives in the first half ended in disaster.

The Bulldogs moved from their own 31 to a third-and-1 at the Tennessee State 36 early in the second quarter, but quarterback Deaunte Mason checked from a running play to a pass play and was sacked  and A&M had to punt. Later in the quarter, A&M moved from its own 20 to a first down at the Tennessee State 47, but Mason was picked off by Eugene Clifford to end the drive.

Porch pulled from starting lineup for disciplinary reasons

Alabama A&M free safety Rico Porch was yanked from the starting lineup Saturday night against Tennessee State due to disciplinary reasons, according to defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns.

Kimario McFadden replaced Porch in the starting lineup. A 5-foot-10, 179-pound redshirt freshman from Jonesboro, Ga., McFadden was making his first career start. Porch entered the game on the third series.

McFadden was one of nine first-time starters for the Bulldogs. The others included fullback Devron Owensby, wide receivers Demetrius Thomas and G'Alonzo Milton, tight end Bobby Goldsby, center Joaquenssi Eugene, right guard Justin Goodrich, left defensive tackle Tim Tillman and right defensive end Preston Nelson.

 Scary moment for Green

There was a scary moment early in the fourth quarter when Alabama A&M running back Tony Green was hit in a helmet-to-helmet collision trying to field a punt.

Green laid on the turf for a couple of minutes, before sitting up on his own. He had to be helped off the field, but never returned to the game.

Austin wants home-and-home series

Alabama A&M athletics director Betty Austin said she would love to continue playing Tennessee State, but she wants the series to be more of a home-and-home affair.

Since the two schools renewed their rivalry in 1998, seven of the 11 games have been played in Nashville, including four of the last five. Saturday's game was supposed to be in Huntsville, but Austin said Tennessee State athletics director Teresa Phillips asked if A&M would come back this season and she obliged.

"We like playing Tennessee State, but we want to play them home-and-home," Austin said. "Teresa and I have spoken about that. Hopefully, we can get it worked out. It's been a good relationship.

"(A&M) Coach (Anthony) Jones like playing Tennessee State and our players like playing in the Titans stadium and it's a good trip that our fans can make."

According to Wallace Dooley, assistant athletics director for media relations at Tennessee State, the Tigers' schedule may be full for next season.

In addition to seven Ohio Valley Conference games, Tennessee State will host Southern in the John Merritt Classic, play Jackson State in the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis and will play Florida A&M in the Atlanta Classic at the Georgia Dome. This season, the Tigers are playing North Carolina A&T in the Circle City Classic and could be invited back to play again next season.

 
Alabama, Tennessee ties

The Tigers have eight players from the state of Alabama on their roster.

The list includes three players from Birmingham, linebacker Wilson Robinson, wide receivers Julian Mallory and Wesley Samuels, defensive back Marquez Hall (Shorter), defensive back Toney Gurley (Gurley), offensive lineman Justin Ridgeway (Pleasant Grove) and defensive end Tim Pruitt (Huntsville).

Meanwhile, A&M has only two players from the state of Tennessee on its roster. The list includes quarterback Deaunte Mason (Nashville) and defensive lineman Jamal Cooper (Memphis).