The Alabama State University football team has arrived in Lexington and gone through their final work out for tomorrow's game against the University of Kentucky. The game represents the first time any football team from Alabama State has played a member of the Southeastern Conference so it represents a unique challenge for ASU.

"Well it should be a good opportunity and it should be fun for our guys," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "I think they are excited about an opportunity to play against a SEC school. Of course we have a lot of respect for the SEC and Kentucky. Coach Stoops is getting his troops ready to play so it's going to be a challenge for us."

In games that feature a football bowl series (FBS) school and a football championship (FCS) team, the talent level between the skill players are not that different, but it is the depth and talent level across the line of scrimmage that usually determines how big a difference the score may turn out to be. It is a point that is not lost on the Hornets' coaching staff.

"It all starts up front," Barlow said. "Kentucky's defense, they are outstanding up front. They have big defensive tackles and their defensive ends are really explosive and physical guys. So we have to try and figure out how to establish the run against these guys whether it is running inside or outside."

"On our defense we have to be physical, we have to run to the ball. They have a lot of playmakers; they throw the ball on the perimeter a lot so that's the challenge. I think our guys will be up for it. It's an opportunity for them to play the SEC and see how they measure up against a really good team."

The Hornets had no problem getting up for the Magic City Classic and Alabama A&M last week and it is always tough to get up for big games on consecutive weekends, but this is no ordinary game, it is a game against a FBS team from the SEC.

"I think all of these kids are guys that really wished they had a chance to play in the SEC or on a high level, so it's going to be fun," Barlow said. "I can't wait to see the energy level of our guys and their approach when we take the field here in Lexington."

The game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. and can be seen live on CSS. The game can be heard live on WVAS FM 90.7. The pregame show begins at 6:15 p.m.