The Alabama State University football team returned to practice Tuesday night to being preparing for Saturday night's home game vs. Alcorn State. 

“Practice was pretty good,” head coach Reggie Barlow said. “I wanted a little more energy, but these guys are practicing hard and I appreciate that. I'd like to have more energy and hopefully tomorrow night we'll get that.” 

The Hornets are coming off a 21-14 win at Jackson State to complete the month of September 3-1 overall, and 3-0 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play. In the past two weeks, the Hornets have defeated both teams that were picked to win their respective divisions in Grambling State (west) and Jackson State (east), and with those victories come recognition. 

Nationally, Alabama State is ranked third in several HBCU media polls, as well as sitting just outside the Sports Network FCS Top 25. The Hornets now move from being the hunter to being the hunted, a position Barlow acknowledges is different for his team but the focus remains the same. 

“It's a little different for us where we are now, but the focus is really just on Alcorn,” Barlow said. “This is another team that was picked higher than us (the Braves were predicted to finish second in the SWAC East, one spot ahead of the Hornets). Last year, they put a good whipping on us (a 41-21 Alcorn win), and it's the same team now that they had last year. They have the quarterback Brandon Bridge there, so it's going to be important that we stay focused, take ownership of the game plan and do what we need to do.” 

Bridge, a 6-5 sophomore from Ontario, Canada, accounted for nearly 2,700 yards total offense and 27 touchdowns last season. 

“The combination of his ability to run and throw makes him a threat,” Barlow said. “He's very athletic. He's like a receiver back there at that position. He's lanky, agile and hard for one guy to get him down. Bridge may drop back to pass, but if you're in coverage and running with the receiver, chances are he can take off running and you have to be able to tackle him. It's going to be a huge challenge for us this week and hopefully we can contain him.” 

The Hornets will practice Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday at 11 a.m. 

-HORNETS-