MONTGOMERY—The Alabama State University football team's defense has been ranked among the top three in total defense the past few seasons.  That has become the expectation, but this season did not start out all that well for the Hornets.
 
After giving up 551 yards in the season-opening loss (38-28) to Bethune-Cookman and giving up 466 yards in a three-point (24-21) loss to Arkansas-Pine Bluff, the Hornets defense seemed to have lost their sting.  That has turned around in the last two games as ASU only gave up 195 total yards in a 54-14 win over Alcorn State and last week the defense allowed only 133 total yards in a 45-0 win over Texas Southern.
 
“The guys are definitely understanding what we are asking for on defense,” Head Coach Reggie Barlow said.  “We have changed some things up in practice as far as guys running to the ball.  It is a small thing but it makes a big difference.”
 
Turnovers have always been a big part of the ASU defense, but in one of the early losses, ASU had a 33-game streak broken of gaining at least one turnover.  That has changed in the past two weeks as well, as the defense has given the ball back to the offense several times and has even scored a couple of touchdowns.
 
“In the first few games the ball was on the ground and the ball was tipped and we didn't have enough people around the ball to get the turnovers,” Barlow said.  “Now we've created that mindset where all of the guys are getting to the ball and we are able to get turnovers.”
 
“I think that is a combination of guys understanding the defense and also our guys doing a better job of running to the ball.”
 
ASU has moved into second in scoring defense in the conference giving up an average of 16.8 points per game.  They are 6^th in total defense allowing 324.2 yards per outing.
 
That defense will be tested this week by the Jackson State offense which is tops in the SWAC in total offense averaging 387.2 yards per game.  They are third in scoring averaging 24.2 points per game.
 
JSU has been the top passing team in the league for the past two seasons and that has not changed as they continue to lead the SWAC throwing for 223 yards per game.  This year they have added a rushing attack that is fifth in the league at 164.2 yards per game.  It is an offense that has the ASU coaching staff worried about heading into this weekend's contest.
 
“They had three 100-yard rushers last week (a 34-24 loss to Arkansas-pine Bluff) which is something to accomplish,” Barlow said.  “Whenever you can run the ball on any level and you're running it with that type of success that can be an issue or a problem for you.  Our guys have to make sure they are hitting and they have to make sure they are in balance when they are tackling and know that it is going to be a physical game.  We have to know that up front.”
 
“Last year they threw the ball all over the place because of their quarterback and the quarterback they have now is pretty good, but they are not throwing it as much.  There are some of the concepts there they ran last year and are still running so it is a good combination they have now.”
 
The kickoff has been set for 1 p.m. from the Cramton Bowl with all of the live play-by-play available on WVAS 90.7 FM There will be live stats and a live web stream which can be followed on www.bamastatesports.com.

The game is part of the Think Pink Weekend. Friday the Hornet Madness Fan Fest begins at 4 p.m. at the soccer field with music and free food as fans get to meet the Alabama State basketball and bowling teams. At 7 p.m. the ASU soccer team takes on defending champion Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a match that will be video streamed online at bamastatesports.com. Following Saturday's football game, the Lady Hornet volleyball team will face Cal State-Bakersfield at 7 p.m. at Lockhart Gym. The weekend culminates on Sunday with the volleyball team again facing Cal State-Bakersfield at 1 p.m. and soccer facing Grambling also at 1 p.m.