MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University head coach
Brian Jenkins met with the media on Wednesday during his weekly press conference as the Hornets prepare to host Kennesaw State Saturday night at 7 pm inside ASU Stadium.
"They are very good football team," Jenkins said. "They do some unorthodox things offensively you don't normally see in college football but they do it well. They have some home run hitters on that side of the ball, and they believe in what they're doing offensively.
"Defensively, they have a very aggressive defense. They have some players that really stand out, very scrappy and will fight tooth and nail. It's the same that we face week in and week out. They are a very good up and coming program and I commend their coaching staff for how fast they are bringing that program along."
Alabama State (0-2) has been playing football since 1901, while their opponent on Saturday, Kennesaw State (1-1), is in just their third year of existence.
"We haven't played a good brand of football," Jenkins said. "Seeing this team play at a top level during camp and during the spring is what keeps me encouraged. Right now we are a good football team playing bad football and that's not good. Hopefully we can turn it around, you would think that by now we would know how but there's a mental block that's keeping us from playing at the level we should be playing at, but knowing that that level is there for us is what keeps me encouraged."
Thus far this season, the Hornets have been held to one offensive touchdown and one score on the defensive side of the football. And according to Jenkins it all boils down to one word – execution.
"I'm ready to execute so the right things can happen instead of the wrong things," Jenkins said. "I think people can see the frustration on my face because we have a good football team and a good group of guys, we just aren't executing. Wipe the slate clean; remember the past, whatever it all boils down to execution. We have to learn to execute because it gives us a much better chance and people that have seen us execute know it.
"You see many plays and we were right there. Why were we not right there instead of being there where we need to be? You can remember the past but poor execution is poor execution or wipe the slate clean but poor execution is poor execution. We have to correct that part of what's going on with our football team."
Through two games this season, Alabama State has rushed for 279 yards on 66 carries and are led by
Darrel King with 117 yards through two games. The senior, who ran for 73 yards in the opener, is averaging 6.2 yards per game and 58.5 yards per contest. Junior
Alex Anderson has ran the ball 12 times for 50 yards, while freshman
George Golden ran for 50 yards last week against Troy on just four carries.
Redshirt freshman
Kobie Jones, who has earned the start in the first two games, has thrown for 232 yards on 29-of-55 passing with one touchdown; while 13 different players have caught a pass this season led by
Jamir Hannah with nine (72 yards).
"I feel like the team is doing good," King said. "We have been working on finishing. In the beginning, we weren't finishing when we got into the red zone so we have been doing drills because that seemed to be a weak point in the last game."
Defensively, the Hornets were able to get on the board last week when senior
Ronnie Scott intercepted his first pass of the season, fourth of his career, and returned 80 yards for his first career touchdown.
Treyon Garnett and
Joshua Hill lead the team in tackles with 14 each, while
Darron Johnson has recorded 12 from his linebacker position.
Alabama State has been able to get pressure on the opposing team's quarterback, recording seven tackles for loss and two sacks; while recording seven quarterback hurries.
"Defensively, I think we are playing pretty sound football," Jenkins said. "When we were doing it right in the first half, pick six to the house. He did everything he was supposed to do. Drove on the ball, head and eyes on the ball. Once you catch, secure the ball, boom high and tight, stay protected as you run. He did that, seven points. We stopped them on a fourth and short and got the ball and moved the ball."
The game will be streamed by the Hornet Sports Network, and can be heard on WVAS-90.7 FM, YO! 100.5 FM or HSRN (SiriusXM Radio). For ticket information, call the Alabama State University ticket office at (334) 229-4551 or (334) 229-8479; or visit BamaStateSports.com.
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