The Alabama State University football team lost to Southern 31-28 Saturday at the New ASU Stadium.
A 43-yard touchdown run by
Isaiah Crowell with 1:29 remaining helped Alabama State tie the score at 28-28. However, a 64-yard kickoff return by Southern's Jaleel Richardson led to Greg Pittman's 43-yard field goal with 18 seconds remaining.
The game started fast, as touchdowns were scored on the opening three possessions.
Myles Everett's 47-yard return to start the game led to a four-play, 39-yard drive that led to a 23-yard touchdown pass from
Daniel Duhart to
Jamel Johnson to put the Hornets ahead 7-0 less than one minute into the game.
After Southern scored on its first possession, Alabama State (6-4 overall, 6-2 SWAC) responded on the ensuing possession. Driving 74 yards in 11 plays,
DeMario Bell's 11-yard touchdown catch put the Hornets back in front, 14-7 with just over eight minutes to play in the first quarter.
Alabama State extended its lead in the second quarter. A 13-play, 69-yard drive was capped by Crowell's first touchdown run of the day, a five-yard scamper, that gave the Hornets a 21-7 lead.
Southern (6-4, 6-2) closed the gap to 21-14 prior to halftime, and, after a scoreless third quarter, took the lead in the fourth. The Jaguars scored on touchdown passes to Mike Jones of 74 and 13 yards to take a 28-21 lead with 7:38 to play in the game.
The Hornets tied the score two possessions later. Taking over at its own 23 with 2:51 remaining, Alabama State drove 77 yards in only five plays. On fourth and three from the Southern 43, Crowell took a handoff around the left side and ran 43 yards for a touchdown to tie the game, leading to the dramatic finish.
"We knew Southern had a good team coming in here," Alabama State head coach
Reggie Barlow said. "…We knew it would be a challenge. We thought our guys came out and did some positive things. Southern just made more plays than we did."
Crowell went over the 1,000-yard mark on the season in the game, rushing for 145 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead Alabama State. He now has 1,057 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.
The Hornets conclude SWAC play at Mississippi Valley next Saturday.
