Sanders, Maynor preview Jackson State-alabama A&M
As Tuesday arrived, a new page has turned for Jackson State and Alabama A&M'S football programs.
Jackson State (3-2, 2-1 SWAC) is coming off a 34-14 nonconference loss to Southern, while Alabama A&M (2-0, 1-0) prepares for its first game since March 6.
"(It's) going to be a big game," Alabama A&M coach Connell Maynor said. "They're still in it on our side."
The side Maynor is referring to is the SWAC East Division. The Tigers are currently tied for second with Alabama State, and Alabama A&M leads the division despite only playing one game.
The Bulldogs finished second in the SWAC East in 2019 to Alcorn State, who have opted out of the spring season. A&M'S sole SWAC win is the forfeited victory against Alcorn State.
"I think it's homecoming up there - a national television game," Maynor said. "We're just ready to play again, man. "We've only played one football game, so we're ready to hit somebody else, and we look forward to this opportunity. It's a big opportunity, and (we're) getting ready for a big football game."
After some early scouting from Sanders and his staff, they came away impressed by the Bulldogs' quarterback and SWAC Preseason Player of the Year Aqeel Glass.
"They definitely have an offensiveminded coach, a quarterback that can spin it, some guys that can go down there and go get it," Sanders said. "We have to challenge people on every single play to make you earn it."
After the first defensive drive Saturday, junior cornerback Isaiah Bolden went into the locker room and didn't return to the game. In the postgame press conference, Sanders said Bolden, a transfer from Florida State, was hurt.
On Monday morning, Sanders said a cornerback has been injured and the team is unsure if he'll be available this Saturday.
"We're praying that he gets back, but we've got to play ball, man," Sanders said. "We've got to challenge some people. From the first play on, we didn't challenge anybody and make them earn everything. We've got to challenge them."
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium and will be broadcast on ESPN.