MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State and Bethune-Cookman will meet for the first time since 2012 when the two meet inside ASU Stadium on Saturday evening. The game marks the opening contest in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) for Alabama State, and the game can be seen on ESPN+ with kick set for 5:05 pm.

GAME INFORMATION
Kick: 5:05 pm
Site: ASU Stadium | Montgomery, Ala.
Watch: ESPN+ | WatchESPN app
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Game Notes (.pdf)

SERIES
All-time record: Bethune-Cookman leads the series, 12-3
Last Meeting: Bethune-Cookman defeated Alabama State, 38-28 (2012)
First Meeting: Bethune-Cookman defeated Alabama State, 18-6 (1949)

GAME NOTES

• Alabama State is 15-23 in SWAC openers, with their last win coming against Grambling State, 23-20 (2019). They dropped their opener during the spring season to Southern, 24-21.
• The longest winning streak in the series with Bethune-Cookman is two, winning in 1976 (22-14) and 1979 (24-13).
• The Hornets return to the field for the first time since their list to #25 Auburn and are currently ranked second in the nation in pass defense at 104.0 yards allowed per game.
• Alabama State is also ranked 20th overall in tackles for loss and 32nd in quarterback sacks per game. They also rank 42nd overall in time of possession.
• Jeremiah Hixon (Monroeville, Ala.) is fourth in the conference in all-purpose yards at 69 yards per game, while Jacquez Payton (Georgiana, Ala.) is second in the conference in passes defended at 1.5.
• Nicholas Terry (Youngstown, Ohio) is fifth in the conference in tackles for loss, while Ryan Nettles (Evergreen, Ala.) is seventh in both passing and total offense.
• Head coach Donald Hill-Eley is 5-7 all-time against Bethune-Cookman, however, this will be his first meeting with the Wildcats at Alabama State.
• Ezra Gray (Lynn Haven, Fla.) returns to the lineup after sitting out the Auburn contest, while Naytron Culpepper (Miami, Fla.) will make his debut this season on Saturday night.
• The crowd at the opener was the 20th largest crowd at ASU Stadium since it opened in 2012.
• Alabama State will honor the 2001 SWAC East Division champions at halftime of the game on Saturday with a video tribute.

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