The Original Story


BULLDOG BUZZ

WHAT: Tuskegee at Alabama A&M

WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Louis Crews Stadium, Huntsville

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: How much Alabama A&M has been able to improve since an effective, but occasionally rocky, opener at Grambling State last Saturday.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR:

1. Tuskegee mistakes. This is the Tigers' opener and even though some 16 starters return, there are the inevitable first-game errors. How well this veteran team shrugs those off will determine how competitive it can be.

2. Alabama A&M offensive evolution. The Bulldogs were efficient on offense, and rookie quarterback Brandon Wells was poised enough to simply unload passes out of bounds rather than take a sack or force a pass into coverage. The offensive line, with four new starters, kept him protected and gave some room to the running backs. If there's a hunch to be played, it'll be a breakout night is imminent for either tailback Brandon Eldemire or Barrington Scott.

3. Short fuses. A&M players say there was some trash-talking from the Tuskegee side a year ago. Officials will need to keep emotions in check.

KEY MATCHUP

Wells and the A&M passing attack vs. the Tuskegee secondary. The Tigers lost their starting secondary from a year ago and coach Willie Slater confesses, "I think I lost some more of my hair worrying about that." A&M has speed and depth at wideout and likes to use the tight end as a weapon as well.

BY THE NUMBERS

2 - Alabama A&M's national ranking in the Boxtorow FCS HBCU Football Coaches

INJURY REPORT

A&M: OT Justin Goorich (illness, out), TB Brendan Johnson (knee, out), K Cesar Ramon (leg, out).