GAMEDAY
Who: Alabama A&M Bulldogs (0-2, 0-0 SWAC) at South Alabama Jaguars (0-2, 0-0 Sun Belt)
When: Saturday, Sept. 16, 6 p.m.
Where: Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala.
Radio/TV/Internet: WJAB-FM 90.9/No/ESPN3; wjab.org
BULLDOG BITES
Bulldogs vs. Jaguars
This is the first meeting between the two schools from opposite ends of the state.
I-65 road trip
Mobile is the final leg of Alabama A&M's season-opening I-65 road trip trifecta. The Bulldogs opened the season in Birmingham to play UAB, then, last Saturday traveled to Nashville to play Vanderbilt and they wrap up this non-conference part of the schedule in Mobile to take on South Alabama.
Trailblazer Totten
Bulldogs quarterbacks coach Willie "Satellite" Totten has been honored as a Trailblazer by the Mississippi Valley State University Department of Athletics. Totten was recognized with his former coach Archie "Gunslinger" Cooley and teammate Jerry Rice. Totten is a member of seven halls of fame, including the College Football Hall of Fame and the HBCU Football Hall of Fame.
Bulldogs' Homecoming
For several Bulldogs who hail from Mobile, this will be a homecoming. Yurik Bethune, Adrian Portlock, Alijah Jordan, Alvintae Kirksey, Joshua Williams and Charles Shepherd will be playing their first collegiate football game in their hometown.
Familiar face
Bulldog defensive coordinator Travis Pearson was a member of the Jag coaching staff from 2013-15, serving in the same role for USA his last two years.
Ex-Jag on the staff
Defensive line coach Anthony Taylor played four years at the University of South Alabama as a defensive end and outside linebacker.
No flag zone
The Bulldogs are the least penalized team in the SWAC. They have been flagged 11 times for 65 yards – a league-low and 13th nationally average and of 32.5 yards per game.
Big Twin is back
Linebacker Bryan Brower returned to the Bulldog lineup after missing most of 2016 with a leg injury. The 2015 second team All-SWAC performer led A&M in tackles two years ago and is second on the team in tackles this season with 16 (9 solo, 7 assists). He is the twin brother of running back Byran Brower – both have already graduated.
Something special
The special teams have limited UAB and Vanderbilt to just 141 yards in kickoff and punt returns. Punter Nick Carden leads the SWAC with 834 yards on 21 punts and has had five punts downed inside the 20 and two were downed inside the 3. He has a 39.7 yards per punt average. The punt coverage teams have held their opponents to just 76 yards on 12 punts for a 6.3-yard average.
Making the switch
Harvey Harris, who was one of the Bulldogs' most reliable running backs the past three seasons, converted to the secondary for his senior year. Harris, a speedster who rushed for more than 1,100 yards in his career, leads the Bulldogs and is third in the SWAC with 18 tackles (11 solo, 7 assists) and 1 pass breakup.
All-SWAC
There are five preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selections wearing Maroon and White – the most in Head Coach James Spady's term. Running back Jordan Bentley; linebacker Kenneth Davis; defensive back Tere Calloway and kicker Nick Carden were named to the All-SWAC preseason first team and offensive lineman Austin Simmons was a second team selection.
Return of the returner
Return specialist Octayvious Miles is back after missing the 2016 season. In 2015, he was second in the nation in kickoff return yards while setting school records for a season (849 yards); game (192 yards vs. Alabama State); and longest return (99 yards vs. Jackson State).
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