DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. |  Alabama State University used a 308-yard performance on the ground, including 120 yards from Jamarie Hostzclaw, to pick up a 26-21 win to open SWAC play over Bethune-Cookman on Saturday afternoon at Daytona Stadium.

The Hornets improved to 2-2 on the year and 1-0 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, while the Wildcats fell to 0-5 and 0-1.

Alabama State's 308 yards rushing was the first 300-yard game for the Hornets since Oct. 29, 2017 when ASU rushed for 391 against Alabama A&M in the Magic City Classic. Holtzclaw's 120 yards was the third 100-yard rushing effort for ASU this season, 

Hostzclaw paced the Hornets rushing attack by accumulating 120 yards over the course of the game, averaging 8 yards per carry. A.J. Gates also added 74 yards on the ground, averaging 8.2 yards per carry. Daquon Kincey chipped in with 71 yards as well, averaging 5.9 yards per carry.

Zach Sims' most prolific target in the ballgame was Ajai Harrell, who caught four passes for 36 yards and one score.

Dwight Jacobs paced the Alabama State defensive effort, recording one recovered fumble. Amon Scarbrough added six tackles and one interception and Stefon Young-Rolle had 1.0 TFL and one recovered fumble in the win.

The Hornets won the turnover battle in Saturday's game, forcing three turnovers while coughing the ball up one time, with Alabama State turning those takeaways into 14 points. Alabama State recorded a big showing on the ground, racking up 308 rushing yards while averaging 5.6 yards per carry and out-rushing Bethune-Cookman by 209 yards. Alabama State converted on 57.1 percent of third-down attempts on the day.

Alabama State's defense held up against Bethune-Cookman's offense, giving up 241 total yards. The Hornets kept Bethune-Cookman under 150 yards on both the ground and through the air, allowing 142 passing and 99 rushing yards.

Alabama State got on the scoreboard first with 9:34 left in the first quarter to take a 3-0 lead.The Hornets then increased the lead to 10-0 with another score.

Alabama State kept building its advantage after Bethune-Cookman made it a 10-7 game, scoring again with :00 remaining in the second quarter to go on top 13-7.The Hornets continued to extend their lead, scoring again to go up 16-7.

Alabama State kept building its lead, scoring again with 7:15 left in the third quarter to go ahead 23-7.The Hornets kept scoring, tacking on a field goal to increase their advantage to 26-7. Alabama State didn't score again and Bethune-Cookman added 14 more points to finish off the scoring.

• Alabama State's 308 yards rushing was the first 300-yard game for the Hornets since Oct. 29, 2017 when ASU rushed for 391 against Alabama A&M in the Magic City Classic.
• Holtzclaw's 120 yards was the third 100-yard rushing effort for ASU this season, 
• Alabama State outgained Bethune-Cookman 386-241, including a 308-99 advantage on the ground.
• Alabama State won the turnover battle 3-1 after intercepting one pass and recovering two fumbles.
• The Hornets scored first with 9:34 left in the first quarter and never trailed the rest of the game on their way to victory.
• Alabama State had their highest scoring quarter in the third period, when they put up 10 points.
• Alabama State converted 8 of 14 third downs while Bethune-Cookman was successful on 2 of 10.
• Demarkus Cunningham led the Hornets with 12 tackles.
• Brandon Gilliam knocked through four field goals for the Hornets with a long of 49 yards. The last time ASU made three-plus field goals in a game was against BCU in 2022.
• The Hornets took potential points off the board by forcing two turnovers on their own half of the field.
• Alabama State won the time of possession battle 34:33 to 25:27.
• The Hornets offense came out of halftime firing on all cylinders, scoring 13 unanswered until the Wildcats got on the board again.
• Sims completed 66.7% of his passes on the day, going 8-for-12 while averaging 6.5 yards per attempt.
• Cam Ransom led the Wildcats passing attack, completing 18 of his 28 attempts for 143 yards and one touchdown with one interception.
• Omari Stewart was Bethune-Cookman's leading receiver with 53 yards and one touchdown.