The Alabama State University football Hornets had their walk through today at Hornet Stadium as part of their final preparations for tomorrow's important Southwestern Athletic Conference battle with Alcorn State.

The Hornets enter the game with a 2-2 overall record, and 2-1 in conference action. Alcorn is has a 3-1 overall record but sits at the top of the East Division, along with Jackson State, undefeated in SWAC play at 2-0. It is a game the Hornets cannot afford to let get away from them.

"Alcorn is a really good team and there is a reason they are undefeated in conference action," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "It is important for us because we cannot afford to lose another conference game; we are already in the hole with one loss. It is important for them because they want to maintain the spot at the top of the East."

It could turn out to be which team can stop or slow down the other team's running game. ASU leads the SWAC and is eighth in the Football Championship Series (FCS) averaging 277.8 yards per game. Alcorn is fourth in the SWAC averaging 166.2 yards per game.

The game will also feature three of the top runners in the league. ASU's Isaiah Crowell leads the conference with 562 yards rushing and averaging 140.5 yards per outing. Alcorn's Arnold Walker is fourth in the league with 298 yards rushing, averaging 74.5 yards per game. The third runner is ASU's Malcolm Cyrus who stands ninth in the league with 241 yards rushing and 60.2 yards per game.

"We know all about their running game," Barlow said. "Walker is a good one, but he is not their only runner. They have three good ones back there and our defense will have to be at the top of their game to slow Alcorn down."

ASU's defense showed vast improvement last week in limiting the Grambling State offense to only 241 total yards, of that, only 12 yards came on the ground. That showing vaulted ASU into the top rushing defense in the SWAC limiting their opponents to only 129.8 yards rushing per game.

"Our defensive front has been playing extremely well for us and that is where it starts," Barlow said. "We have a pretty good rotation there and even the back ups are getting in some quality time and playing well, but the rushing attack of Alcorn will be the best running game we have seen since the first game against Jacksonville State. We had better be ready."

Kickoff for the 39^th game in the series is set for 5 p.m. at New ASU Stadium. The game can be watched live on Hornet Vision at bamastatesports.com and can be listened to live on WVAS FM 90.7. The broadcast will begin with the pregame show at 4:45 p.m.