The Alabama State football team will open its home schedule against the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils Saturday at 6 p.m. at Cramton Bowl.
 
It's the Blackout game, as fans are encouraged to wear all black for the contest. The game can be heard on WVAS 90.7 FM and will be video streamed live free of charge on bamastatesports.com.
 
It's also the Southwestern Athletic Conference opener for both teams, as Alabama State is looking to bounce back from last Sunday's 38-28 loss to Bethune-Cookman in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge. Head coach Reggie Barlow liked the way the Hornets prepared this week for Saturday's game.
 
“I saw a team that came back to practice this week and competed,” Barlow said. “Early in the week, the practices were really physical and guys got after it pretty good. I'm anxious to see these guys play tomorrow – can't wait to see how they respond and what their energy level is.”
 
It's an important early season game for the Hornets in league play, as two of the first three SWAC games for Alabama State are against Eastern Division opponents.
 
“It would be huge,” Barlow said of opening conference play with a victory Saturday night.  “It's the first home game for us against an Eastern Division opponent. We know how tough the SWAC is and it would be good to go out and get a victory. We know it's going to be a challenge, but we're looking forward to it.”

GO HORNETS