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MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama State University football team raced to an early lead and then fended off a late charge by Concordia College to earn a 38-33 victory in the season opener Saturday night at Cramton Bowl.

Concordia (1-1) scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to make the game close before the Alabama State (1-0) defense stiffened in the closing minutes to halt a final charge by the visitors.

“We knew that this was going to be a tough game,” said third-year ASU head coach Reggie Barlow. “I warned the team about getting complacent in the second half, but that is just a tough thing to battle because it is human nature to let up a little when you are in front. We still have a lot of things to work on, but it was good to finally see the guys on the field playing a game. We are excited to start the season with a victory.”

Alabama State's offense looked sluggish in the opening drive. Following a punt that slipped off the ASU punter's foot for limited yardage, Concordia got on the board using a five-play, 39-yard drive to score first. Quarterback T'Chelpio Woods connected with Morris Benton for an eight-yard touchdown strike to cap the drive. Concordia led 6-0 after missing the PAT.

ASU answered quickly on the following possession going 56 yards in six plays capped by a 10-yard scoring pass by Chris Mitchell to Nick Andrews. The drive was highlighted by a 27-yard Andrews diving reception and some strong runs by Rahmod Traylor. Bama State grabbed a 7-6 lead following Jake King's successful extra point.

The defense of the Black and Gold Hornets ended the visiting Hornets' next drive with a Jason Bruce interception. After trading possessions, ASU then mounted another scoring drive with Mitchell finding Darius Mathis for a 13-yard touchdown reception and a 14-6 lead.

Mitchell and Mathis connected for a second time giving ASU a 21-6 lead with 57 seconds left in the second quarter. The scoring play culminated a six-play, 53-yard drive.

Senior linebacker Adrian Hardy picked off Woods on Concordia's following possession setting up ASU for a final scoring drive. Bama State moved the ball into scoring range and closed the half with a 45-yard field goal by King as time expired to take a 24-6 halftime advantage.

Hardy grabbed his second interception of the game early in the third quarter stepping in front of a Woods pass and racing 18 yards for a touchdown putting ASU in front 31-6.

Concordia notched its second touchdown of the night behind a 12-play, 77-yard march that covered more than six minutes. Woods connected with Benton from 10 yards out. A successful two-point play made the score 31-14.

On ASU's next possession, Mitchell hit a streaking Andrews on the second play for a 72-yard touchdown pass. The score put Bama State in front by a 38-14 count.

Concordia cut the deficit to just 38-21 as Woods dropped a 24-yard pass into the hands of Fred Rouse with 1:51 left in the third quarter.

After an ASU drive to open the fourth quarter ended with a punt, Concordia went 48 yards in seven plays finishing with a Woods to Calvin Cornish 20-yard touchdown pass. The Green and Gold Hornets missed their second PAT of the night and trailed 38-27 with just over nine minutes left in the game.

The two teams traded possessions before Concordia struck again on a 65-yard bomb from Woods to Benton making the score 38-33 with 2:57 left. The visiting Hornets failed on a two-point conversion.

ASU fumbled on the ensuing kickoff and Concordia recovered the ball at the 37-yard line. After moving the ball to the Alabama State 25, Concordia would not gain another yard as ASU stopped the visitors on three consecutive plays, including an incomplete pass on fourth down. Bama State ran out the
clock to secure the victory.

For the night, ASU racked up 411 total yards including 242 through the air. Mitchell finished 13-28 with four touchdowns and two interceptions in his return at quarterback. Traylor rushed for 101 yards on 18 carries while Andrews (136 yards, 2 TDs) and Mathis (46 yards, 2 TDs) shared the team lead with five catches each.

Defensively, Rechard Johnson led the way with seven tackles including one for a loss. Hardy finished with five stops to go along with his two interceptions and two pass break-ups.

Woods, a former ASU player, was 16-39 for 264 yards passing for Concordia. He threw three interceptions and had five touchdowns. Benton had five catches, including three for TDs, for 134 yards receiving.

Alabama State next hits the road for a game Sept. 12 at Savannah State. Kick off is at 4 p.m. (CT).