MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State jumped out to an early two touchdown lead in the first half and held off UAPB in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) action, winning 35-15 on homecoming on a day that the Hornets celebrated the 1991 HBCU National Champions 30th anniversary.

Alabama State (3-2, 2-1 SWAC) drove the ball down the field on their first drive behind freshman Myles Crawley (Tucker, Ga.) before the drive ended on downs due to a bad snap. However, after forcing a turnover, the Hornets took just one play to get on the board when Crawley hit Jeremiah Hixon (Monroeville, Ala.) for a 30-yard touchdown pass with 9:11 to play in the first quarter.

They added another score with 4:46 to play in the half when the duo hooked up for the second time ending a nine-play, 76-yard drive with a 51-yard touchdown reception for a 14-0 halftime lead.

After allowing a field goal to trim the score to 14-3, Alabama State answered with the third touchdown pass of the day from Crawley – this one from 43 yards out to Ezra Gray (Lynn Haven, Fla.) that ended a nine-play, 85-yard drive for a 21-3 lead. They added to that lead when Crawley pitched his fourth touchdown pass of the day to E'Shawn Mayes (Hephzibah, Ga.) – his first career touchdown – for a 28-3 lead.

UAPB added a pair of scores to trim the lead to 28-15, however, Keenan Isaac (Midfield, Ala.) put the finishing touches on the game with a 37-yard onside kick recovery for his first career touchdown and the final margin.

The Hornets were able to hold on to the football for nearly 37 minutes in the victory against the defending SWAC West Division champions.
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• During the halftime break, Alabama State recognized the 1991 team at halftime and unveiled a pair of banners that will hang in the rafters.
• Alabama State blocked a pair of kicks in the game, one from Cameron Rampersaud (Kissimmee, Fla.) and the other by Naytron Culpepper (Miami, Fla.).
• Alabama State held on to the football for nearly 37 minutes in the game, amassing 363 yards of total offense including 292 yards through the air.
• Three of the Hornets touchdowns came on "money plays" of 25 yards or more on the night with the longest coming from the arm of Crawley to Hixon.
• The touchdowns from Mayes and Isaac were their first career touchdowns, and the start from Crawley was his first career start.
• Alabama State forced three three-and-outs from UAPB and forced a turnover on downs three other times on the night.
• Crawley connected with nine different receivers on the night with Hixon (6-112-2) leading the way. Abdou Diop (Harlem, N.Y.) added three receptions as did Wallace Corker (Stockbridge, Ga.) for the Hornets.
• Irshaad Davis (Carol City, Fla.) led Alabama State with nine tackles on the night including four solo, while Nicholas Terry (Youngstown, Ohio) added six.

UP NEXT
Alabama State hits the road for the first of four consecutive games away from home, taking on SWAC East Division leader Jackson State for the Tigers' homecoming. The game kicks off at 2 pm on Saturday and can be seen on ESPN+.

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