Oct. 8, 2005

Final Stats

JACKSON, Miss. - After watching Alabama State's offense roll up more than 500 yards in the last four games, it might be hard to imagine the Hornets posting a number that would be more staggering.

Unfortunately for Jackson State, ASU found that number. The Hornets racked up 618 yards of offense in a 44-23 win over Jackson State at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Seniors Robert Randolph and Keldrick Williams each rushed for over 100 yards and paced a ground attack that finished with a season-high 331 yards.

"Running and passing, that was the best game so far," said Williams, who had a season-high 167 rushing yards. "We've had games where our passing game has been good and games where our running game has been good, but as far as being balanced, tonight was the best game we've played."

The passing game did not take the night off, as quarterback Tarvaris Jackson had 286 yards in the air, including a 31-yard touchdown pass to Chris Maddox early in the fourth quarter.

"We've got a pretty good offense," said Alabama State coach Charles Coe. "No. 7 (Jackson) makes everything go. We were a little scared when he went down in the first quarter, but fortunately he was able to come back."

Jackson, who took a hit to the knee early in the second quarter, returned after missing one play to engineer an offense that would score on the next seven possessions to help erase a 10-6 deficit.

"He's a tough guy and he showed that tonight," Randolph said. "He took a big hit and he came right back. Any man who can do that, you have to respect him. We knew he'd be back."

Randolph would score the first of his two touchdowns on an 8-yard jaunt midway through the second quarter that gave ASU a 13-10 advantage. It ended a 12-play, 98-yard drive - one of seven scoring drives that were at least 60 yards. After a Jackson State score, he went into the end zone again from two yards out to give the Hornets a 20-17 halftime advantage they would never relinquish.

"We have the top two backs in the conference and people got to see them tonight," Jackson said. "Our line did a great job today too. People can't say we're a running team and they can't say we're a passing team. We do both very well."

Alabama State put the game away in the second half buy pounding the rock downfield on the strength of Williams and Randolph, who had a season-high 122 yards rushing. The Hornets had 164 rushing yards in the second half alone.

"We found out there weakness from watching film; they've been giving up a lot of yards on the ground," Randolph said. "We came out and exploited that weakness. It was just a matter of us executing the way we're capable of."

Jackson added a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and freshman Tyrece Davis scored his first career touchdown on a 3-yard run in the fourth to close out the scoring.

Now, ASU prepares for a Prairie View A&M team that gave up 618 passing yards to Grambling State two weeks ago. With the Hornets' offense operating at such a high level, can the Panthers keep them from getting even more yards?

Coe had a simple answer.

"Honestly, I have no idea. I'm just glad I don't have to find out."