Coming off Alabama State's 29-7 victory in the home opener vs. Mississippi Valley State, ASU head football coach
Reggie Barlow addressed the media on the SWAC Weekly Coaches Teleconference.
For the second straight week, Alabama State got off to a fast start. The Hornets outgained the Delta Devils 242 yards to 59 en route to a 26-0 halftime lead. Defensively, the Hornets yielded just one second-half touchdown, but did allow more than 100 rushing yards in the final two quarters.
“Similar to the last game, our offense was able to come out and score points pretty quickly,” Barlow said. “We took advantage of some opportunities and were able to score and come away with the win. Defensively, there's still some things we need to clean up from a running game standpoint. This week, we'll have to put our focus and attention toward that.”
The Hornets are on the road this week to face the defending SWAC Champion Grambling State Tigers Saturday at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on WVAS 90.7 FM and video streamed live free of charge on SWACTV.
“Grambling is an outstanding program with a lot of history and tradition there,” Barlow said. “They've always had really good players on all sides of the ball, and it's the same way this year. We know it's going to be a challenge. Whenever you have to go on the road in a hostile environment against a well-coached team, it's going to be tough. We'll use these three-four days to get ready for them, travel down there and give it our best shot.”
Saturday's game could be a preview of the Toyota SWAC Championship Game in Birmingham on December 8, as the Hornets and Tigers were the preseason picks to win their respective divisions this summer.
“At the end of all of this, everyone has the same goals,” Barlow said when asked if he thought this week's game was a statement game. “The people on the West want to win the West and have an opportunity to compete for the championship, and the same way for us on the East. It's not so much of trying to make a statement, per se. It's us wanting to play well in all three phases; we haven't done that yet. In the first game, our special teams were outstanding. In this last game, part of it took a step back. Offensively, we've done some good things, but we want to put a solid game together…that would more or less be the statement we'd like to make as a team, that we can play for four full quarters.”
Wenzig, Jackson Earn SWAC Awards: Alabama State K/P
Bobby Wenzig and DE Mickey Jackson were named SWAC Specialist and Newcomer of the Week, respectively.
Wenzig averaged 49.0 yards on six punts, with four of at least 49 yards, including a season-long 64 yarder against Miss. Valley State. A pair of his punts were downed inside the 20, as Valley had just six punt return yards. The junior from San Diego made his only field goal attempt, and made two PATs, and his kickoffs yielded just over 13 yards per kickoff return.
Jackson, a Piedmont, Ala. native and sophomore transfer from UAB, made four tackles (one for loss), two sacks, and two forced fumbles. Jackson's sack/fumble in the fourth quarter was recovered by teammate
Corey Schofield and was the third turnover forced by the Alabama State defense.
