Alabama A&M 49, Tennessee St. 23

Updated: September 2, 2007, 12:13 AM ET

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Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Kelcy Luke threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns as Alabama A&M beat Tennessee State 49-23 Saturday in the John Merritt Classic.

The Bulldogs converted four Tiger turnovers to 21 points and racked up 450 total yards after leading 14-7 at the half.

Luke earned Offensive Most Valuable Player honors. Carlton Rice, who made his Bulldog debut at linebacker, was named Defensive Most Valuable Player with a game-high eight tackles and an interception.

TSU (0-1) opened the scoring on a Terrence Wright three-yard run midway through the first half. The Bulldogs (1-0) would answer with back-to-back big plays, both by wide receiver Thomas Harris.

Gerald Stockdale took an option pitch and hit Harris for a 42-yard gain. Luke and Harris connected on the next play for a 44-yard score.

Anthony Green's touchdown with 4:30 remaining in the first half on a one-yard plunge gave the Bulldogs the lead for good.

The A&M offense rolled in the second half to 35 points. Ulysses Banks and John Smith caught 34 and 33-yard touchdown passes, respectively in the third quarter.

Luke ran for an eight-yard touchdown, and Green salted the win with a 25-yard scoring scamper with 8:28 to play.

Each team would add one more score late.

Alabama A&M is 1-0 on the season and will host Clark-Atlanta next Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index