MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Te'Sean Smoot passed for 422 yards and four touchdowns to lead Alabama State University to a 58-21 win over Tuskegee University in the 101st Turkey Day Classic on Thursday.
The victory improved Alabama State's record to 10-2 on the season, the first 10 win season since 2004. The Golden Tigers fell to 4-7.
Marcus Harris II totaled 34 yards to lead the Hornets' ground attack and added one touchdown in the game, picking up 5.7 yards per carry along the way. Smoot also tacked on 33 yards on the ground, picking up 8.2 yards per carry. Harris' touchdown moved him into a tie for second on the single season touchdown list wtih 16.
The most prolific target for Alabama State quarterbacks was Jalen Jones, who caught six passes for 189 yards. Jones topped 1000 receiving yards -- the fifth player in ASU history.
Ta'Shaun Sims paced the Alabama State defensive effort, recording 1.0 TFL, one sack, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. Jalil Lenore added five tackles and one interception and Cameron Gordon had three tackles, 2.0 TFL, and two sacks in the win.
The Hornets won the turnover battle in Thursday's game, forcing three turnovers while coughing the ball up two times, with Alabama State turning those takeaways into 14 points. Alabama State also had an outstanding day offensively, racking up 598 total yards, 135 on the ground and 463 through the air, while averaging 9.3 yards per play and out-gaining Tuskegee. The Alabama State offense did a good job keeping drives alive, converting on 50 percent of third-down attempts. The Hornets also went 2-for-2 on fourth down.
Alabama State's defense held up fairly well against the run, limiting Tuskegee to 150 yards on the ground. The Hornets defense disrupted the Tuskegee passing game on the way to grabbing three interceptions and breaking up four Golden Tigers passes.
Alabama State's offense made the most of its trips to the red zone, scoring on eight of its eight trips, with seven of those scores being touchdowns.
How It Happened
KEY MOMENTS
Alabama State put points on the board on eight different occasions on their way to scoring 58 points. The Hornets took the lead for good with 4:40 remaining in the second quarter, opening up a 28-21 advantage on the Golden Tigers. powered in a six-yard touchdown run to cap a 10-play, 82-yard scoring drive. The Hornets then rode that lead to victory, increasing their advantage by 30 points along the way.
Game Notes
» Alabama State outgained Tuskegee 598-358, including a 463-208 advantage through the air.
» Alabama State won the turnover battle 3-2 after picking off three passes.
» Alabama State had their highest scoring quarter in the second period, when they put up 24 points.
» Alabama State converted 4 of 8 third downs while Tuskegee was successful on 6 of 11.
» Alabama State went 2-for-2 on fourth down, converting on 100 percent of attempts.
» Alabama State forced one red zone turnover in the contest.
» Alabama State won the time of possession battle 30:45 to 29:15.
» The Hornets ended the game on a high note, scoring 44 unanswered points to close out the contest.
» Smoot completed 83.3% of his passes on the day, going 20-for-24 while averaging 17.6 yards per attempt.
» Michael Franklin led the Golden Tigers passing attack, completing 12 of his 29 attempts for 208 yards and one touchdown with three interceptions.
» Rashad Wilson Jr. was Tuskegee's leading receiver with 81 yards.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
