MONTGOMERY, Ala. – As Alabama State head football coach Brian Jenkins sat down to talk with the media during Wednesday's press conference, he put this out there.

"We're probably the best 1-5 football team in America when you check the stats and the numbers," Jenkins said.

"We're just not getting it done.  And, I think that's an example of a young ball club."

The second-year coach may be onto something.

The Hornets (1-5 overall, 1-4 SWAC) have come painstakingly close to finishing out opponents during the 2016 season.

They've taken halftime leads against the defending SWAC Champions Alcorn State on the road (led 10-7 at halftime), were firmly in control against Texas Southern (led 17-6 at halftime and were leading 27-24 with under five minutes remaining in the game), and led for the majority of the game at Prairie View A&M (led 17-7 at halftime and were leading 17-14 with under a minute to play in the fourth quarter). 

Alabama State even led 7-6 on the road to open the season at Texas-San Antonio with under four minutes to play in the first half. 

"I'm a numbers guy and when I look at that, it lets you know we're right there," Jenkins said. 

"We're just not finishing.  We could easily be 4-2.  It could easily be turned the opposite way.  Nevertheless, it's not.  Whatever those things that have kept us from being 4-2, we got to get those things done.  That is still what is encouraging to me.  When I watch game film, I don't see this as a bad football club.  I see a ball club that is just not finishing at some things or not doing things that we should be doing at this point in the season."  

ASU gets its next opportunity to begin the turnaround on Saturday at 2 p.m. when it hosts Mississippi Valley State (0-6 overall, 0-4 SWAC) at the new ASU Stadium. 

Live stats may be followed here: http://bamastatesports.com/4041.aspx?url=/www.sidearmstats.com/football

Live video can be watched here: http://bamastatesports.com/4041.aspx?url=/www.bamastatesports.com/showcase

Senior running back Khalid Thomas has been a gem for the Hornets' offense as he leads the SWAC in rushing yards (530 yards) and ranks second in rushing yards per contest with 88.3 per contest. 

The Kentucky transfer has gone over 100 rushing yards in each of his last two games and has totaled a team-high six touchdowns with five coming on the ground. 

"I see a much improved team [in Valley]," Jenkins said.

"Defensively, they fly around. Their front six or seven guys can hang in there with the best of them. They got two big ole nose tackles.  If you watch their games, you'll see that they were in it." 

Senior defensive lineman Khalil Young may be a player to keep an eye on as he leads the conference in forced fumbles with four and also has recorded two sacks and 41 tackles on the season. 

#GOHORNETS#