So much for those dropped passes by receivers during Albany State’s 24-19 loss against Morehouse two weeks ago that drew the ire of Rams coach Mike White.
“I thought that was the difference (last) Saturday,” said White, whose team hosts Miles in Saturday’s regular-season and home finale. “We had passes against Morehouse that we dropped. Kisan got the ball right to them and they just dropped them. This week, we caught those balls and turned around and made plays.”
All together, the team total of 273 passing yards (backup QB A.J. McKenna completed a 4-yard pass) was the team’s second-best passing effort of the year.
Earlier this year against Kentucky State, Flakes and A.J. McKenna combined for 312.
Flakes’ only pass that did not go for a completion was an interception that occurred while he tried to force the ball amid coverage.
As for Flakes’ targets, receiver Chad Bryant led the Rams with five catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns, Roger Frazier had three catches for 70 yards, and Larry Johnson had five catches for 60, including a touchdown. Brian Porter caught the other TD on a 10-yard toss.
“All of them came through,” Flakes said. “They stepped to the plate. I’ve got playmakers all around me. I’ve gotta get them the ball and let them make plays.”
Bryant felt the unit was due for a game like they had.
“It was a total team effort,” he said. “We wanted to put the best game possible together that day and play like there was no tomorrow and have fun. We wanted to make it known that we were better than our record (6-3 overall, 5-3 SIAC) indicates.
Not to be overshadowed, however, was the Rams’ running game. ASU also rushed for 194 yards against Fort Valley State, and White feels the Rams’ passing success had a lot to do with it, making the Wildcats respect Flakes’ arm, opening up plays for rushers Demetrice Johnson and Kaream Hess.
n PLAYOFF POSSIBILITIES: Right now, Albany State is seventh in the NCAA Division II Super Regional Two poll and if the poll stays the same after this Saturday’s games, the Rams would move to the No. 6 spot and take the place of Tusculum (Tenn.) due to the “earned access” rule. If a SIAC team, at first, is not among the region’s top six playoff-bound teams, it can replace the team of an already-represented conference at No. 6 if the Rams remain among the region’s top eight.
Since the region’s top two-seeded teams (Delta State, North Alabama) get first-round byes, that means the Rams could potentially play at No. 3 Valdosta State. Coincidentally, the Rams did not play Valdosta State during this regular season for the first time since 1997.
White just wants to make it.
“Making the playoffs after losing two games like we did (back-to-back against Tuskegee and Morehouse), that would be something,” White said. “We would be very grateful to get there.”
n CONNER ON HIS MIND: Stanley Conner, who coached Benedict to a 13-10 win against Albany State earlier this season, reportedly suffered an apparent heart attack during the Tigers’ 42-35 win against Kentucky State last Saturday. A recent Associated Press report said that Conner is improving.
“It definitely makes you recognize and realize how precious life is,” White said. “It can happen to anybody.”
