Final Game Stats

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The Alabama State University football team concluded its 2010 spring practice season with a successful and entertaining Black & Gold Game Saturday afternoon at Hornet Stadium in front of over 1,200 ASU fans.

The Bama State offense recorded four touchdowns and a pair of field goals in the contest while the defense forced five turnovers including three interceptions and two fumbles.

“This was a great game for us to see some of our players get an opportunity to play in front of people,” said ASU head coach Reggie Barlow. “We've worked hard and done a lot of evaluation during our first 14 practices this spring but it is always exciting to watch the guys play in a game-type situation. I thought we made some progress today and throughout the spring. I liked some of the things that both the quarterbacks did but we have to continue working on limiting our turnovers in the red zone. Defensively, I thought it was good to see some guys run around and make plays. I think the format today really allowed us to get quality reps on both sides of the ball. It was a nice way to finish up our spring season and head into offseason workouts.”

The ASU defense made the initial stand forcing a three-and-out on the game's first possession. The Hornet offense responded with a 12-play scoring drive the next time they got the ball. Redshirt freshman quarterback Rashard Burkette led the first scoring drive moving the team 42 yards before settling for a 40-yard field goal from Andrew Lyons.

Anthony Speight then took over the quarterbacking duties and guided the ASU offense to its first touchdown of the day. Speight finished off a nine-play 65-yard drive by finding Nick Andrews at the back of the endzone for a seven-yard scoring strike. The senior signal caller was a perfect 4-for-4 passing on the drive including a 37-yard connection with tight end Najee Leftwich.

Speight's second possession also resulted in points as Lyons split the uprights with a 32-yard field goal following a 10-play, 50-yard drive. Ronald Belser sparked the scoring effort with 31 yards rushing on two carries.

The defense stepped up on the next two possessions creating a pair of turnovers to halt drives. Sophomore Kejuan Riley stepped in front of a pass by Burkette at the goal line and raced 73 yards before being brought down from behind by the rookie quarterback to end the first drive. ASU's offense then held the ball for 14 plays and had a first and goal from the four-yard line before being stuffed on four consecutive plays by a stout Bama State defense. On fourth down from the one, the defense forced a fumble recovered by cornerback Donovan Masline at the goal line thwarting the second drive.

Burkette tallied his first touchdown pass of the game hitting Kyrea Rozier for a 39-yard score on the ensuing possession.

Following a fumble and Jacques Rickerson's interception of Speight's long pass attempt on back-to-back drives, Burkette led the Hornets on a pair of quick scoring strikes to end the offense's scoring performance. He found a streaking Andrews for a 65-yard touchdown pass on one drive then again connected with Andrews from 32-yards out capping a four-play drive, which also included a 36-yard completion to T.C. McWilliams.

The game's final possession featured a two-minute drill pitting the Hornet's No.1 offense against the No. 1 defense. Speight connected on 4-of-5 pass attempts and rushed for 10 yards in moving ASU to the 11-yard line with just under 20 seconds left to play. However, his final attempt was intercepted by Masline, who scurried 93 yards for the touchdown to end the game.

At the conclusion of the game, Barlow handed out several spring practice awards decided on by the ASU coaching staff. Honorees included Sejean Hart (Special Teams), Martavious Paulk (Most Improved Offense), Jacolby Chatman (Most Improved Defense), Terren Jones (Most Outstanding Offense), Kynjee Cotton (Most Outstanding Defense) and Tim Clark (Character Award).

ASU now turns its attention to is 2010 seasons opener Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. against Mississippi Valley State at Cramton Bowl.