For the Alabama State University football team it has been two close games and two close losses, and while both games have hinged on a play or two, it has been a play or two the Hornets have not been able to make that has been the difference, and that was the case against Jackson State.

"I thought from an effort standpoint our guys played hard to the very end like they have been doing and I have never questioned whether or not they are going to do that," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "We brought a lot of pressure on defense and their guy (quarterback) would just throw it up to see if a receiver could make a play. A lot of times they did not make the play, but their guy did step up and make some big time plays at the right time."

The Hornets offense racked up almost 400 total yards, but the offense also bogged down at times and to shake things up Arsenio Favor made his first appearance of the season behind center.

"I thought (Daniel) Duhart made some pinpoint passes and they were dropped," Barlow said. "I know in the first half we had them in the right defense and we had a catch and run on a slant pattern and it was dropped, so he made some good passes which would have helped his percentage, but there were times when he missed on some passes I expect him to make."

"Arsenio did some good things running the ball and we did some stuff that would get him involved and he did some positive things. We will have some packages in there for him to run and we will still have Duhart who will start. Our guys have confidence in both players, but our offense just has not produced enough points."

One area the Hornets have excelled in is running the ball. ASU has rushed for over 200 yards in each of the first two games and looks to continue that trend as the season goes on.

"One thing I think we have done well is run the ball," Barlow said. "In the first game we had a runner almost gain 100 yards and against Jackson State Crowell runs for over 170. I think our offensive linemen are doing a good job blocking."

Isaiah Crowell leads that group with 272 yards rushing on just 29 carries, an average of 9.4 yards per carry. The Hornets are averaging 219 yards per game and average 5.7 yards every time they run the ball.

"It's the old saying we are better than being an oh-and-two team, well we do have lost two games because that is what our record is," Barlow said. "We have the ability to change our fortune and to get back on track. For me, I have to do a better job of making sure I communicate to the coaches exactly what I want and what I need, because I allow the coaches to coach. But I need to be more involved in saying here's what we need to do. I promise I'm encouraged, there's no panic, even though we didn't think we would be oh-and-two, but there is no panic in our process."

The Hornets will face UAPB at Golden Lions Stadium at 4 p.m. on ESPN3. The game will be televised on a tape delay basis at 9:30 p.m. on ESPNU.