HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Former Sparkman High School standout Marcus Dozier is expected to make his first career Saturday when Alabama A&M hosts Jackson State in an important Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division showdown.

Dozier, who had been limited to special teams, played well in last week's 28-14 win over Alcorn State after replacing starting strong safety Joshua Udeh early in the first quarter after he sustained a hamstring injury. Dozier was credited with two tackles.

"He played well against Alcorn State and he's done well this week in practice, so we're going to give him a chance to start," defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns said. "He doesn't have a lot of experience, but he has a good understanding of the game plan and hopefully, he can carry out his assignments."

Dozier becomes the fourth different starter at strong safety.

Tae Keith opened the season as the starter before losing his job to Chris Ervin. Then Ervin missed a game due a death in his family, and Jeremy Isabelle replaced him in the lineup. Ervin suffered a season-ending knee injury against Texas Southern, and Udeh started against Alabama State and Alcorn State.

Injury update

Left guard Bryant Ross, who left the Alcorn State game late in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury, was held out of practice Wednesday for the second straight day.

Ross has been fitted with a boot and will be re-evaluated over the next couple of days in hopes he will be able to play Saturday.

Senior Carlos Tolbert has worked with the first-team offense this week and will start if Ross is unable to go, said offensive coordinator Cedric Pearl, who also serves as offensive line coach.

Cornerback Derrick Harris is expected to start despite being bothered with a back injury, Towns said. Luther Snipe and Theron Rice will likely play, too. Meanwhile, cornerback A.J. Clark will likely miss his second straight game with a groin injury.

Hart's pursuit

Corey Hart is chasing two records held by former A&M standout defensive end Robert Mathis.

Mathis had 20 sacks and 32 tackles for loss during 2002 when he was the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year.

Hart has 13 sacks and 25 tackles for loss with two games left in the regular season.

"If I could tie his record that would be a great accomplishment," Hart said. "I'm working to try to get close to it. I don't know if I'm going to break it, but I'm trying to get close to it.

"I know I've got more than 13 sacks, but it doesn't matter if it's not down. I really don't sweat it."

Hart has watched Mathis, who is currently with the Indianapolis Colts, on film during his days at A&M.

"He was like a maniac off the edge," he said. "That's the only word I can use to describe him."