"Obviously we like what we have up front (on defense)," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said.  "Our linebackers with guys like Kourtney (Berry) have a lot of experience.  The secondary guys we are still hoping will come along, but they (defense) are dominant."
 
The Hornets defense racked up some pretty impressive numbers only allowing 59 yards on 36 rushes, a 1.6 yards per carry average.  The defense had three sacks and 15 stops behind the line of scrimmage.
 
The front seven constantly hounded ASU's quarterbacks which combined to complete 15 passes for 207 yards on 37 attempts.  Among those 15 completions was a 65 yard catch and run from Earl Lucas and a 20 yard touchdown pass to Shawan Parks.
 
In all, the Hornets defense only allowed 266 total yards on 73 offensive plays.
 
Berry led the ASU defense with eight total tackles while Rodney Cross, who played running back last year but has been playing at linebacker this spring, finished with six.
 
ASU's defense forced two turnovers with Ka'Rah Stewart recovering a fumble and Meryles Gilbert grabbing a deflected pass for an interception.
 
Quinteris Toppings took most of the snaps completing nine of his 25 passes for 123 yards, with 65 of those yards coming on the pass play to Lucas.  DaShawn Blow competed three of his four passes for 70 yards and he had the 20 yard scoring toss to Parks.  Last year's starter Daniel Duhart played a limited amount of plays as he continues to fight through injuries. He competed two of his three passes for nine yards.
 
Malcolm Cyrus led the rushing game with 52 yards on 12 carries, and he scored the lone touchdown on the ground from 17 yards out.  Jahaad Coleman had 21 yards on 10 carries.
 
"The offense was sloppy and didn't perform and compete with any urgency," Barlow said.  "This is a game of passion and energy and our guys lacked that on offense.  We did get a couple of big plays.  Earl Lucas had a big play and that was good to see but I didn't think as a group they were quite as motivated and had as much energy as the defense had and of course it showed."
 
ASU has one week of spring practice left before the Black and Gold Game which will bring spring practice to a close.  The Hornets will be back on the field for their 13^th practice session Tuesday April 8 at 11 a.m.