Nov. 4, 2006

Final Stats

Grambling, La. - Alabama State spoiled Grambling's homecoming with a 35-16 win Saturday afternoon. Jay Peck, the SWAC's leading rusher, accounted for 115 of the Hornets' 225 yards of total offense. But it was the ASU defense - led by Chris Dupuy's 13 tackles - that was the story of the day, limiting Grambling's high-powered offense to only 207 total yards.

"This was a total team win," Dupuy said. "Some people thought there was some dissention on our team, but in the locker room before the game, we talked about everyone - offense, defense and special teams - playing together, playing for each other. We played 60 minutes of Alabama State football and it was awesome."

ASU got on the scoreboard first when Leland Jones scooped up a Grambling fumble and raced 19 yards for a touchdown. After the Tigers blocked Anthony Johnson's kick attempt and returned it for a score, ASU led 6-2.

A few series later, Grambling quarterback Larry Kerlegan led his team on a seven-play, 83-yard drive, capped off by a beautiful one-handed touchdown catch by Clyde Edwards. After a 14-yard touchdown scramble by Alex Engram with one second left in the second quarter, it seemed ASU would take a 14-9 lead to the half. However, after a Hornet penalty, Grambling's prayers were answered when Nick Lewis hauled in a 42-yard "Hail Mary" pass with no time left on the clock.

"I was angry with our guys for not knocking that ball down," Coe said. "I couldn't believe that we'd played so hard, and our defense had played so well, then we go and give that up.

"I challenged our guys at halftime to go out and play with great pride and effort."

And the Hornets responded.

ASU rattled off 22 points in the second half while shutting Grambling out. Justin Wright scored on an 18-yard fumble return, Jay Peck barreled into the end zone from one yard out, Anthony Johnson banged in a 41-yard field goal and Rahmod Traylor scampered into the end zone from 20 yards out to put an exclamation point on one of ASU's most convincing performances of the season.

"It's really a great win for us," Coe said. "This gives us a lot of confidence and momentum going into our game with Mississippi Valley." Alabama State (4-5, 4-4 SWAC) will host Mississippi Valley State on Saturday, November 11 at 1 p.m.