Alabama State University held its annual Black & Gold spring football game Saturday and its fan appreciation event – called Hornet Fest – to a horde of several hundred screaming and upbeat Bama State fans at Hornet Stadium.

The traditional spring football game pits the Black team, representing the Hornets defense, against the Gold team, representing the ASU offense. This year, the Black team won the match-up, with a score of 28 – 21, over the inspired efforts of the Gold team, said Reggie Barlow, head ASU football coach.

Saturday was a great day to be a Hornet, Barlow said.

“I was very pleased with the turnout, it means a lot to this program to see the community and fans supporting us as well as they did for our Black and Gold game,” Barlow said.

He said that the Hornets defense did what it has traditionally done during the past few spring match-ups and was able to keep the offense in check for sustained periods of time, while the ASU offense was able to have some good plays. 

“We saw a lot of good things out here today during the ball game,” Barlow said Saturday, “and while offensively we were sluggish at times, we made some good plays, too. I think we saw we have some playmakers out there.”

The Hornet Fest, which began at noon and continued until the game's kick off at 2 p.m., was attended by hundreds of happy ASU fans and their children and everyone seemed to have a good time, said Meisha Jackson, coordinator of the event.

Its activities ranged from face painting for the kids, fun games, and an exhibition of the latest dance moves that catered to all ages that was hosted by a DJ, said Willie Boswell, manager of ASU's Community Relations department.

“We were so happy to see all the various community based and church organizations turn out for our event and we were glad to be able to provide free hamburgers, hotdogs and drinks to the multitude of folks who attended,” he said.

Alabama State's head football coach said the Black and Gold game was a good exhibition of the skills that the football team is honing and building on to improve as it approaches its first game in September.

“Of course there's a lot we still have to work on” stated Barlow, “but overall I think we had a good showing Saturday.”

The Hornets will open the 2009 football season with a home game against Concordia, September 5, at 7 p.m., at Cramton Bowl.