Thursday, August 30, 2007

AAMU: No set plan to play Atkins or Allen


Reggie Benson, Huntsville Times

Backup quarterback Kevin Atkins, a redshirt freshman, has yet to play in a game. Third stringer Stanley Allen, a redshirt junior, has played only in three games and two of those were in a mop-up role.

Even so, Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones says there is no set plan to get either one of them in Saturday's season opener against Tennessee State. The Bulldogs visit the Tigers at Nashville's LP Field at 6 p.m.

"The most important criteria is to try to win the ballgame," Jones said. "If that means there's a time I can put Atkins in there I will do so, but I'm not going to insert him into the game to get him some experience.

"I'll make a decision based on everything I'm seeing. Stanley is still not counted out of everything. If I don't like the way Kevin is handling everything, I might go with the more experienced guy."

Allen filled in admirably for much of the second half in last year's Southwestern Athletic Conference championship after starting quarterback Kelcy Luke went down with a broken leg and helped A&M rally to a 22-13 victory.

Wright to start: Even though Javarris Williams finished second in the Ohio Valley Conference in rushing last season and was named to the all-conference team, TSU coach James Webster said Tuesday that Terrence Wright will start at tailback for the Tigers Saturday night against Alabama A&M.

Wright, 5-10 and 190, rushed for just 86 yards on 24 carries last season and scored two touchdowns.

Williams finished with 1,233 yards on 245 carries and scored 11 touchdowns. He had 121 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown and also caught two passes for 41 yards in TSU's 27-20 loss to A&M last season.

"Terrence has earned the right to start," Webster said. "In my mind and in my heart, Javarris is still our starting running back, but every day you earn your starting position. In evaluating the running backs since last season, Terrence deserves an opportunity to start."

Afterward, Webster heaped praise on Williams.

"Javarris has worked hard," he said. "He reported to camp in good shape. He's big, strong, fast and physical. I'm excited about Javarris. I expect him to be our leading ballcarrier and lead us to victory."

Winston returns: Defensive tackle David Winston returned to practice Tuesday night and moved around pretty well, but defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns said redshirt sophomore Renaldo Askew will start Saturday night against Tennessee State.

Askew, a 6-1, 263-pounder out of Atlanta, played in five games last season and was credited with six tackles.

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