Alabama State head football coach
Reggie Barlow addressed the media on the SWAC Weekly Coaches Teleconference reflecting on Saturday win at Grambling and this week's Thursday night game vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
The Hornets overcame deficits three times this past week to post a hard-fought 19-18 victory at Grambling against the defending league champs. ASU put together successive 70-yard touchdown drives in the final quarter and got a huge defensive stand late to improve to 2-1 overall and 2-0 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play.
“It's always hard to go down to Grambling and play there with their history and tradition,” Barlow said. “It's something I've embraced; I love going there and being in that atmosphere. It was a good game. Grambling came out and played well, did some things to us in the passing game and went up on us. However, our kids fought back.”
Alabama State had to overcome a number of mistakes, including a fumbled punt, a touchdown run negated by penalty and a roughing the punter penalty in the contest.
“There was a lot of adversity we had to overcome in the game,” Barlow said of his team which trailed twice in the second half. “We talk to our guys about sustaining effort and that was an indication of them doing that. In our first game (vs. Bethune-Cookman), our guys didn't sustain effort, so it was good (that the players saw) you have to play for four quarters and they did that.”
Thursday night, the Hornets host UAPB at Cramton Bowl at 6:30 p.m. It's Faith, Family and Military night as fans are encouraged to wear ASU gold to the game, which will be broadcast live on WVAS 90.7 FM and televised live on ESPNU.
The Golden Lions are also 2-1 overall and are 1-1 in conference play coming off a 24-6 win at Alcorn State last week.
“We're excited about the opportunity to be on TV,” Barlow said. “It's always good when you can put the product out there nationally. We have our work cut out for us. I've enjoyed watching Arkansas-Pine Bluff on film. They're a very explosive defense and a veteran group of guys who have played in that system for a while. They're flying around and doing some good things. Offensively, they always have great running backs and explosive receivers and quarterbacks, and (this year) is no different. It's going to be a challenge for us on Thursday. It's a short week, so we've got to get on it.”
Wenzig Earns SWAC Honors Again: For the second consecutive week, Alabama State K/P
Bobby Wenzig earned SWAC Specialist of the Week honors.
The junior from San Diego, Ca. used his legs literally to help Alabama State to the come-from-behind win at Grambling. His 14-yard run on fourth-and-2 from ASU 38 in the fourth quarter kept the drive alive that led to
Greg Jenkins' 29-yard touchdown run with just over four minutes remaining in the game. Wenzig averaged 46.8 yards on five punts, including a 63-yarder, as GSU had no punt return yards. Wenzig also made his only PAT attempt.
The Hornets will practice Monday night and Tuesday night at 7 p.m. and Wednesday at 3 p.m.
NOTABLES vs. GRAMBLING:
• It was the second time in series history Alabama State has posted back-to-back wins over Grambling. ASU posted consecutive wins over the Tigers in 1990 (37-14) and 1991 (60-14).
• It was the first time the Hornets have won when trailing entering the fourth quarter since an 18-15 win at Prairie View A&M on Sept. 18, 2010.
• The second-quarter interception by
Kejuan Riley extended Alabama State's streak to 33 consecutive games with at least one takeaway. The Hornets have forced five turnovers this season.
• Riley's interception was his second of the season and the 19th of his career, extending his school record. Riley's 24-yard return makes him ASU's career leader in INT return yards with 268, breaking a tie with Antoine Hill (244 yards, 2001-03).
• It is the fifth consecutive game the Hornets have had at least 30 carries in a game. It's the seventh straight game Alabama State has had at least two rushing touchdowns in a game and the 12th straight game with at least one rushing touchdown.
• RB
Isaiah Crowell had the longest run of his collegiate career vs. Grambling, a 30-yard run in the fourth quarter.
• QB
Greg Jenkins led a pair of 70-yard fourth-quarter touchdown drives, twice rallying ASU from deficits. Jenkins' 29-yard game-winning TD run equaled his career-long.
• WR
T.C. McWilliams' 13-yard reception on the game-winning touchdown drive was the 100th catch of his career. He now has 102 career receptions, tied for ninth in school history with Horace Brooks (1989-92) and Alphus Shipman (1994-97).
