Bulldogs 'D' puts its foot down

Box Score HUNTSVILLE -- Though the Bulldogs put 35 points on the scoreboard last Saturday against Mississippi Valley, Head Coach James Spady gave a lot of credit for the win to the players on the other side of the line - his defense.

A&M shut out the Delta Devils in the second half and the defense chipped in with a touchdwon in the 35-16 win. Over the last six quarters, the defense has given up 26 points.

The Bulldogs held a 21-16 lead at the half over Valley after taking a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter. The Delta Devils went on a 16-0 run before De'Angelo Ballard scored on a nine-yard run with 24 seconds to play in the first half.

At halftime, Spady said, the team made adjustments - and they paid off.

"The defensive staff under the direction of Coach (Travis) Pearson did a fantastic job at halftime," Spady said. "(The Bulldogs) really understood the adjustments we had to make ... putting their foot down and said, 'You know what ... we're done.'

"That made all the difference in the game."

For the game, the Bulldogs held MVSU to 20 net yards rushing, sacked Valley quarterbacks Austin Bray and Slade Jarman five times and also recorded 13 tackles for losses of 70 yards.

Defensive lineman Ryan Ducksworth even got into the scoring column. In the fourth quarter, linebacker Kenneth Davis slammed into MVSU quarterback Bray, forcing a fumble. Ducksworth scooped up the loose ball and took it 16 yards for the final score of the game.

"I can't remember a times since I've been here that we shut a team down in the second half," Spady said.

With Prairie View A&M coming to The Hill on Saturday for the Louis Crews Classic, Spady had a cautionary word.

"We're far from a finished product," he said. "We've got a lot of work to do."

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Players Mentioned

#18 De'Angelo Ballard: QB; 6' 1"; Senior

#50 Ryan Ducksworth: DL; 6' 1"; Junior

#52 Kenneth Davis III: LB; 5' 11"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#18 De'Angelo Ballard
: 6' 1"; Senior
: QB

#50 Ryan Ducksworth
: 6' 1"; Junior
: DL

#52 Kenneth Davis III
: 5' 11"; Junior
: LB

Players Mentioned

#18 De'Angelo Ballard

#50 Ryan Ducksworth

#52 Kenneth Davis III

Players Mentioned

#18 De'Angelo Ballard

#50 Ryan Ducksworth

#52 Kenneth Davis III