Nov. 23, 2006

Final Stats

With his team riding a two-game winning streak and playing its best football of the season, Alabama State head football coach Charles Coe had one big worry going into the Turkey Day Classic: Tuskegee's Kevin Huff. Coe's concerns turned out to be well-founded. The senior quarterback proved to be too much for the Hornets as he led the Golden Tigers to a 17-10 win over ASU.

"He's such a great player," Coe said. "He's also a great leader. When they needed a play and no one else could make it, Huff stepped up and got it done."

Huff finished the game 18-30, passing for 257 yards and a touchdown. He more than made up for his two interceptions with 95 yards rushing, including the game-winning 31-yard run in the 4th quarter.

"I really feel bad for our seniors," Coe said. "They are great young men, and I really wanted to send them out with a win."

Chris Dupuy, one of 14 seniors honored before the game, went out with a bang. He racked up 16 tackles, desperately trying to end his Hornet career on a winning note.

"It's disappointing," he said. "But everyone played as hard as they could. I'm proud of this team; I'm proud of my teammates. I love ASU and I'll always be a Hornet."

ASU ends its season 5-6, but three players have already received post-season invitations. Wide receiver Lorenzo Hoffman has been invited to the Magnolia Bowl. Defensive back Michael Coe will be playing the East-West Shrine game, an event that catapulted former ASU star Tarvaris Jackson onto every NFL scouts' radar.

Still, it's Dupuy who will be making perhaps the most interesting trip of all. The standout linebacker has been invited to participate in the inaugural Motherland Classic. After a week of practice in Atlanta, he'll travel to play in an all-star game in Nigeria on December 16.

"I was like, 'Wow'", Dupuy said. "But it's another chance to show what I can do. Plus, it will be great to be able to travel to Africa. I've never been there, and it's a great opportunity to see another part of the world."

NOTES: With his 97 rushing yards during the Turkey Day Classic, Jay Peck broke the 1,000 yard mark on the season. He wraps up his junior campaign with 1,086 yards and eight touchdowns on 253 carries. "It's certainly something I'm proud of, but I am more committed to team goals," Peck said. "We have lots of guys back next year, and I'm excited about what I know we can do."