ATLANTA, Ga. – The Alabama State University (1-0) used a stingy defense that yielded 109 yards in the second half as the Hornets secured a 23-13 win over Howard University (0-1) in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge on Saturday.
 
Dematrius Davis was named the MEAC-SWAC Challenge Most Valuable Player, completing 17-of-24 passes attempts totaling 187 yards and a touchdown. 
 
THE BASICS
Score: Alabama State 23 | Howard University 13
Records: Hornets (1-0) | Bison (0-1)
Date: Saturday, August 27, 2022
Location: Center Parc Stadium | Atlanta, Ga..
Series: Alabama State leads 2-0
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Dylan West kicked a 33-yard field goal on the opening possession of the game to stake Howard to a 3-0 lead with 10:31 left in the first quarter. 
• The Hornets grabbed a 6-3 lead when Ja'Won Howell scored on a three-yard rush to cap an eight-play, 55-yard drive that capped the first quarter scoring.
• Isaiah Scott was on the end of a Dematrius Davis 11-yard pass to finish a seven-play, 77-yard and give Alabama State a 13-6 lead with 12:22 left in the second quarter. 
• Alabama State's defense held the Bison offense inside the red zone for the second time in the first half, forcing a Davis 28-yard field to make the score 13-6 with 4:54 remaining in the first half. 
• Davis misfired on a 30-yard attempt as time expired to preserve the Hornets' 13-6 lead.
• Jacory Merrett-Croskey scampered 21-yards to cap a 99-yard drive and push the ASU lead to 20-6 heading to the final stanza.
• Jarrett Hunter dashed in from five yards away to trim the Hornets' lead to 20-13 at the 10:01 mark of the fourth quarter. 
• Nathanial Eichner's 29-yard field goal with 3:29 made the score 23-13.

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES

• Dematrius Davis completed 17 passes to eight different targets on 24 attempts totaling 159 yards and a touchdown. 
• Merritt finished with 103 all-purpose yards, 55 on the ground, and 48 receiving. 
• Scott caught four passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. 
• Myles Crawley attempted one pass that covered 61 yards. 
• The Hornets amassed 248 yards through the air and 115 on the ground for 363 yards. 
• ASU's offense cranked things up in the third quarter, totaling 148 yards, including 98 yards passing and 50 yards on the ground. 

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES

• Keenan Isaac led ASU defense with seven tackles. while Adrian Maddox had six stops with an interception to pace the ASU defense. 
• Stefan Young-Rolle registered two sacks while the Hornets finished with five tackles for loss. 
• The Hornets held Howard to 265 total yards, 127 yards rushing, and 138 yards passing.  
• The defense flexed its muscle in the second half, limiting Howard to 109 yards, 31 yards in the third quarter and 78 in the fourth quarter.  

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTABLES:

• Aubrey Grace averaged 42 yards on three punts with a long of 44.
• Eichner was 1-for-1 with a 29-yard field goal in the fourth quarter and was 2-for-3 on extra points.

OTHER NOTABLES:

• ASU Captains: Irshaad Davis (S) and Jacory Merritt-Croskey (RB).
• Alabama State won the toss deferred to the second half. 
• The third time was the charm for Bama State which is now 1-2 in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge. 
• Alabama State's 99-yard drive set a new MEAC-SWAC record for the longest offensive drive. North Carolina A&T held the previous record of 97 yards vs. Alabama A&M. 
• First-year Head Coach Eddie Robinson recorded his first win as Bama State's leader. 
• The game went through two weather delays with the game duration of 5:20 setting a new MEAC-SWAC Challenge record for the longest game. 

 
UP NEXT:
Alabama State hosts Miles College for the Labor Day Classic Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at 6 p.m.