MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama State closed its regular season in dominant fashion Saturday afternoon, rolling past the University of Arkansas–Pine Bluff 44–13 at ASU Stadium to secure the program's first nine-plus win season since 2004.

The Hornets (9–2, 7–1 SWAC) took a few early punches but controlled the game from the middle of the second quarter on, unleashing a balanced offensive attack and a swarming defense that shut the Golden Lions (3–8, 2–6) down when it mattered most.

UAPB struck first, marching 75 yards on the opening drive and punching in a 3-yard quarterback keeper by Garrison Davis for a 7–0 lead. From there, however, Alabama State took over.

Kicker Andrew Abu-Akel delivered three first-half field goals—good from 24, 33, and a booming 43 yards as time expired—to stabilize the offense and help ASU climb in front. The spark came midway through the second quarter when Marcus Harris II burst through the left side and outran the secondary for a 50-yard touchdown, giving the Hornets a 13–7 advantage they never relinquished. Harris' score was his 15th, moving hime into a tie for third on the single season touchdown's list. 

Leading 16–7 at halftime, Alabama State exploded after the break. Quarterback Te'Sean Smoot engineered touchdown drives on back-to-back possessions to open the third quarter, first finding Jamarie Hostzclaw for a 12-yard score, then hitting Karl Ligon on the very next drive for a 34-yard strike. Smoot, who finished 20-of-28 for 271 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions, commanded an offense that averaged 8.6 yards per play.

After UAPB briefly cut into the lead with a short touchdown run in the third, Alabama State answered again. Smoot connected with Manny Thompson for a 10-yard touchdown early in the fourth, then capped the scoring with a 26-yard strike to Asa Gregg with 2:00 remaining.

The Hornets' ground game also played a key role, tallying 203 rushing yards on just 26 carries. Harris II (59 yards), Jahbari Kuykendall (62), and Hostzclaw (31) kept the chains moving behind an efficient offensive line.

Defensively, ASU delivered a resilient performance despite UAPB's 226 rushing yards, stiffening in critical moments and producing key stops. Deontre Morris led the unit with nine tackles, while Rhoody Jean-Louis and Eldridge Shelton each delivered tackles for loss, including Shelton's sack in the first quarter.

The win punctuated one of the most successful regular seasons in modern program history, marking the Hornets' first nine-win campaign in 21 years.

Additionally, Jalen Jones tallied 70 receiving yards on four catches, moving him 22-yards from becoming the first receiver with 1,000 receiving yards in a season since 2011.

Alabama State hosts Tuskegee for the 101st Turkey Day Classic on Thursday at 2 p.m.