Oct. 6, 2007

Final Stats

Jackson, Miss - With just over five minutes remaining, it appeared Alabama State had Jackson State right where they wanted them. The Hornets - playing their usual role - had come back from an 11-point deficit and trailed by only three. However, this time JSU had an answer. And, it came in the form of quarterback Jimmy Oliver.

Facing a crucial 3rd and 5, Oliver scrambled past several ASU defenders to get a first down. On the very next play, Tiger tailback Eric Haw took a routine handoff and burst up the left sideline for a 66-yard touchdown that sealed a 32-20 win for Jackson State.

"Despite how bad we played, we still had a chance to win," said ASU head coach Reggie Barlow. "Our guys didn't play with the kind of passion that we need, and that discouraged me.'

Still, Barlow was pleased with the efforts of several players, including quarterback Alex Engram.

"Alex did some good things for us, bringing us back late," Barlow said. "But then, he's got to make sure he makes good decisions with the ball."

In the third quarter, Engram came on to replace Chris Mitchell who'd gone 2-12 with one touchdown and one interception, stats not helped by dropped passes.

"You give them (Jackson State) credit," Barlow ssid. "We knew it would be tough coming in here. Jackson had started the season slowly, but they've been playing real well as of late."

Jackson State opened the scoring, courtesy a 6-yard run by Haw less than three minutes into the contest.

ASU responded with a 65-yard drive, capped by a 22-yard touchdown pass from Mitchell to Ragsdale.

JSU came right back, capitalizing on a Hornet fumble deep in ASU territory. Four plays, later, Haw scored his second touchdown of the game on a one yard plunge to make the score 14-6.

The score didn't change until the third quarter when Tiger kicker Eric Perri knocked in a couple of field goals to push the lead to 20-6.

ASU got back into the game after a shanked punt set them up on the JSU 39 yard-line. The Hornets faked an end around and quarterback-turned-receiver Mathis threw a 39 yard touchdown pass to Antonio James. ASU missed the extra point, but the score was 20-12.

JSU countered with a 10-play 66 yard drive, allowing Perri to attempt and make his third field goal of the day.

Engram marched ASU down the field, converting a couple of crucial third and fourth downs, including a fourth quarter nine-yard run on 4th and 5. That play kept the drive alive, and a two plays later Engram connected with Ragsdale for a 12-yard touchdown. Engram then hit Darius Mathis on a leaping catch for the PAT. But it wasn't enough.

"We've got to keep fighting and keep getting better," Barlow said. "We're struggling right now, but we'll have a good, hard week of practice and be ready to play next week.

ASU is now 4-2 overall, and 3-2 in the SWAC. The Hornets return home to face Prairie View A & M Saturday at 1 p.m. in Cramton Bowl.