The Huntsville Times Original Story

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Chris Ervin, Alabama A&M's starting strong safety, will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn meniscus in last Thursday night's 24-21 win over Texas Southern, defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns said Tuesday.

Ervin, a 6-foot, 195-pound true freshman from Pleasant Grove, was in the midst of one of his best games of the season before sustaining the injury in the second quarter. He had 10 tackles against the Tigers and graded out 92 percent. Ervin will undergo surgery on Friday.

"That's a big loss for us because he had done a great job for us," Towns said. "He had been getting better and better every week."

With Ervin out, Joshua Udeh, a junior college transfer, will move into the starting lineup, Towns said.

Udeh replaced Ervin Thursday night and finished with 5 tackles, including four solos, and an interception in the end zone early in the third quarter.

Jeremy Isabelle, a former Johnson High School standout, and Marcus Dozier, a former Sparkman High School standout, could also play some too, Towns said.

Bulldogs honored

Quarterback Deaunte Mason, inside linebacker Willie Fuller, free safety Rico Porch, punter Chance Wilson and defensive back Theron Rice were honored by A&M's coaching staff Tuesday for their play against Texas Southern.

Mason was named Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 289 yards and two touchdowns.

Fuller and Porch were named Co-Defensive Player of the Week.

Fuller, who graded out 91 percent, finished with eight tackles, including five solos, one tackle for loss, one sack, one quarterback hurry, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and three fourth-down plays.

Porch, who graded out 98 percent, finished with five tackles, including four solos, two pass breakups, one interception and three fourth-down plays.

Wilson and Rice were named Co-Special Teams Players of the Week.

Wilson averaged 34.2 yards per punt and pinned Texas Southern inside its 20-yard line three times. He also made three extra points and kicked a 22-yard field goal.

Rice blocked Wilbert Ortis' 30-yard field goal late in the third quarter that kept A&M on top 17-14.

Good and bad

A&M coach Anthony Jones said there were positives and negatives that came out of Thursday's win over Texas Southern.

He was pleased with the Bulldogs' effort and their ability to make plays in all three phases of the game. Consequently, he was disappointed that his team committed four turnovers and was whistled for eight penalties for 106 yards.

"We've got to clean those things up," he said. "Alabama State is very opportunistic. They force you to make mistakes and then they capitalize on them."