Sept. 10, 2006

Final Stats

Montgomery, Ala. - After never really threatening in their first game of the season, Alabama State found itself in a precarious position Saturday night: ahead late in the game, with the ball and momentum on their side. But as young teams often do, the Hornets let a possible win slip through their fingers in a painful 10-9 loss to Texas Southern. "Obviously, it's heartbreaking," said ASU head coach Charles Coe. "We really played hard.

The defense played well, and they can get even better." The story, again, for ASU was a lack of offense. After being shut out and gaining only 134 total yards in their week-one loss to Troy, the Hornets turned to quarterback Alex Engram in their efforts against Texas Southern. Engram managed to surpass the Hornets' earlier yardage output alone, throwing for 151 and rushing for another 53. Still, Coe felt the young signal caller played a bit anxiously. "He (Engram) pressed tonight," Coe said. "He played hard and on a couple of throws and runs showed his potential, but he also made some freshman mistakes." Engram did find a way to get the Hornets a shot at a win - with some help from his friends. Linebacker Leland Jones led ASU with nine and a half tackles, including seven solo and a quarterback hurry.

But it was senior Chris Dupuy who left his mark on the game. Dupuy tallied eight tackles overall, with seven solo. He also had two tackles for loss, and he made one of the greatest plays for the Hornets so far this year. With ASU down 7-3 in the fourth quarter, Dupuy took it upon himself to make a play. On a second and seven in their territory, TSU quarterback Tino Edgecombe thought he had an open receiver. He did, until Dupuy flew in from out of nowhere and snatched the ball for the Hornets' first interception of the year.

"I said to myself that I was going to do everything possible to make our team victorious," Dupuy said. "We couldn't quite do it, but we're getting closer. We'll keep working hard, and as a leader of this defense, I know we are going to have to shoulder a lot of the burden for a while." Dupuy's play led to another 2006 first for the Hornets: a touchdown. After the turnover, ASU started at the TSU 33. After two incompletions, Engram scrambled for 13 yards and a first down. Jay Peck picked up three yards for a run, and Engram hit James Earl Cray for another 11. Peck then burst up the middle and crossed the goal line, and a crowd of more than 12,000 erupted. The celebration was a bit muted when Anthony Johnson missed the PAT, but the Hornets had their first lead of the year nonetheless.

Unfortunately, ASU wasn't able to hold on. The Hornet defense stopped the Tigers, forcing a punt with less than four minutes left on the clock. But on a third and six on the ASU 26, Engram's pass was picked off by TSU's Tristeon Moore. The Tigers were unable to pick up a first down, but kicker D'Javan Conway's 25-yard boot split the uprights with only thirty seconds to go. TSU had the lead and the win. With its 2-0 start, both SWAC wins, Texas Southern is on unfamiliar ground. Their pair of victories this year already surpasses their combined win total over the last couple of seasons. "We're not a pretty team," said TSU head coach Steve Wilson. "But we are finding a way to make the big plays when we need them." Next week, the Hornets host a tough Arkansas-Pine Bluff team, fresh off an impressive 42-14 win over Alcorn State. "We've just got to learn from tonight," Coe said. "We must understand what we are doing wrong so we can prevent the same mistakes." The Hornets face the Golden Lions next Saturday evening at 5pm.

-- HORNET NOTES: Prior to and during the game, ASU celebrated Armed Services Day. The tribute to men and women serving America all around the world included a tailgate party, displays and interactive exhibits and a special performance by the Mighty Marching Hornets. General Ed Crowell, 1972 ASU alumnus, was one of the featured guests. -- ASU head coach Charles Coe will host his weekly media/fan luncheon on Monday at 12 p.m. in the banquet room of the Joe L. Reed Acadome. The cost for fans is $10. For more details, contact the ASU Office of Sports Information at (334) 229-4511.