Oct. 13, 2007

Final Stats

Montgomery, Ala. - Saturday afternoon's contest between Alabama State and Prairie View A & M was big for both teams.

For ASU, it was a chance to get back on the winning side after two difficult loses and stay in contention for the eastern division title. For Prairie View, it was a chance to continue pushing for their first winning season since 1976. Both teams sported strong defenses, and both offenses had struggled in the past couple of games.

In a game dominated by both defenses, Prairie View made just enough plays to pull of a 17-6 win. PVAMU is now 4-2 overall, and 3-2 in the SWAC, with the Hornets fall to 4-3 overall and 3-3 in the SWAC.

It was ASU's 3rd consecutive loss in a season that started with four straight wins.

"It was bad," said ASU head coach Reggie Barlow. "When you have a chance to play at home, it is a game you have to win. We practiced well all week; we just didn't play well today.

"It's disappointing that we can't put it together. I still love and care for all of theses guys; we just have to get back and work even harder."

Prairie View opened the scoring with a 44 yard field goal in the first quarter. ASU got right back with an 11-play, 76-yard drive capped by a one-yard Jay Peck touchdown run. Peck ran for 48 yards on that drive alone. The Hornets - still struggling with their kicking game - was forced to go for two, and failed. ASU led 6-3.

That held until late in the 4th quarter when PVAMU quarterback hit Gabe Osaze-Ediae for a 14 yard touchdown. The Panthers hit their extra point and regained the lead 10-6.

Both defenses stood tall, until Prairie View crafted a 13-play, 66-yard drive that ate 7 minutes and 21 seconds off the clock. More importantly, it resulted in a Donald Babers 7-yard touchdown run with only 3:14 left on the clock - essentially sealing the game.

Despite Peck's 108 yards rushing on 23 carries, the Hornets only managed 98 passing yards.

"We have to find some consistency and some playmakers on offense," Barlow said. "We just don't have any leaders on that side of the ball."

The Hornet defense kept ASU in the game. They held PVAMU to only 281 yards of total offense. But the ASU offense could only gain 251.

The Hornets will be off this week, and will be back in action on October 27 as they face Alabama A & M in the Magic City Classic.

"Your mind would want you to just work these guys," Barlow said. "But they've been here since August 4th. We'll give them a little time off to rest and we'll get back at it and get ready for A & M.