Nov. 11, 2007

Itta Bena, Ms - Alabama State ended its five game losing streak with a solid 20-16 win at Mississippi Valley State.

The Hornets got going early as they recovered Valley's fumble on the opening kickoff. ASU quarterback Chris Mitchell ripped off a 48-yard run down to the Valley 22. Two plays later, Rahmod Traylor slashed off the left side for a 21-yard touchdown. The point after was good, and the Hornets led 7-0.

On the ensuing drive, the ASU defense forced Valley to punt after a three and out. The Hornets started on their own 26. Five rushes by Jay Peck picked up 25 yards. After an incompletion, Mitchell hit Cedric Harris on an eight yard and a 38-yard completion and ASU was set up on the Valley 5-yard line.

Peck would finish the drive with a romp up the middle. ASU missed the extra point, but still led 13-0.

The teams would exchange punts, and Valley would find a way to get back into the game. After being stuffed by the ASU defense, the Delta Devils took to the air. Ryan Burciaga completed two passes to Brandon Stargell for 44 yards. Burciaga got Valley on the scoreboard when he hit Cameron Russ for a 45 yard touchdown. Valley trailed 13-7.

Three drives later, Valley picked up two points when ASU's center snapped the ball over the head of the punter and through the endzone. Valley was now within 13-9.

The Hornets quickly went three and out. Valley drove to ASU's 15 yard line. With only a few seconds remaining in the half, the Delta Devils went for a 32-yard field goal.

However, the Hornet defense would again make a stand. Brandon Averett flew across the line of scrimmage and blocked the field goal attempt. Rechard Johnson scooped up the loose ball and raced 69 yards for a touchdown to end the half. ASU's extra point pushed the lead to 20-9.

Valley tacked on a late touchdown, but the ASU defense refused to let this one go and forced MSVU to turn the ball over on downs with less than two minutes remaining. The Hornets kneeled on the ball for the win.

"I'm proud of our guys," said ASU head coach Reggie Barlow. "We hadn't won in awhile, but they kept competing and kept playing hard. We really did a lot of good things tonight."

Peck, who played quarterback during the game, rushed for 173 yards on 29 carries. The total pushed Peck over the 1,000 mark for the 2nd consecutive season. It was his 6th 100 yard rushing game of the season, and the 11th of his career.

The Hornets (5-5, 4-5 SWAC) are off until the face Tuskegee (10-0, 7-0 SIAC) on Thanksgiving in the Turkey Day Classic.

Moving up the Pecking order: Peck's 1, 058 rushing yards thus far makes his career total 2, 218. He is now 4th on the ASU all-time rushing list behind Brad Baxter (3,732), Rico White (3,470) and Keldrick Williams (2,362).