MONTGOMERY, Ala. – As the Alabama State University football team began a three game regular season ending homestand at ASU Stadium, its defense started things out with a strong stand and finished the game with a clutch interception in the end zone for a 20-13 win over the Jackson State Tigers, who are currently ranked as the second-best team in the Black College Football Polls (BCFP) and the 22nd ranked team in the Football College Subdivision Rankings (FCS), on Saturday afternoon in front of a crowd of 20,771 in one of the prime Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) contests of the season.
The Hornets (6-4, 4-3 SWAC) once again made the necessary plays to win the game on the day, limiting a potentially potent offense to three total scores and upsetting a strong Tigers (7-3, 4-3 SWAC) squad that was in control of its own postseason destiny heading into the day, but left the River Region in a challenging position as the season comes to a close.
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After both teams combined for four straight strong defensive stands to open the game, it was Alabama State who broke through first. The drive's first third-down play – 10 yards away on its own 35 - was converted by a 15-yard rush by standout rookie quarterback
Aaron Frye, and another key conversion on fourth down was made by running back
Jareese Howard. That momentum came in handy two plays later, as Frye took the ball down the right side for a 39-yard score.
Two plays later, a Jackson State receiver coughed up the ball inside its own territory, gifting the fumble to Zaquan Petterson, who was pulled down and fumbled the ball on his path to the end zone, only for teammate
Myles Richardson to recover it in the end zone to make it a two-point lead.
The Tigers had a scoring opportunity on a long field goal after a six-play series, only for it to fall short and left of the posts and give the Hornets prime field position. Unfortunately, it was stopped on a three-and-out, and the punting position allowed JSU to score four plays into the second quarter.
Defensive stands by each team kept it a one-score game, and the Alabama State red zone defense stood strong on a trio of red zone plays, forcing the Tigers to just three points at the end of the half to maintain a four-point edge heading into the break.
The third quarter started with Jackson State moving the ball well downfield, only for quarterback Jared Lockhart to fumble it into the possession of
T'Marrion Phillips just over two minutes into the period. The Hornets couldn't convert after a long responding drive, with a 39-yard field goal try sailing wide left.
Jackson State's next drive finished with a three-and-out, with the Hornets stopping a rush and two passes to combine for no gain. After it couldn't break through at the end of the final third-quarter drive, the Tigers used a long, drawn-out drive to draw within one with a chip-shot field goal with just over ten minutes to play.
From there, Frye and the Hornets methodically made its way downfield, taking five minutes off the clock before
Andrew Abu-Akel sent a career-long 47-yard field goal straight down the pipes to make it a four-point game. Jackson State looked to respond in its one last stand, connecting on two big passing plays to bring it to the ASU 35-yard line with six seconds left, but a lofty Lockhart ball into the left side of the end zone fell into the arms of
Zamari Hall for a game-sealing play.
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QB
Aaron Frye: 15-for-25, 118 yds., INT; 10 carries, 36 yds., TD
RB
Jamarie Hostzclaw: 12 carries, 39 yards
WR
DJ Hicks: 6 catches, 33 yards
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DE
Myles Richardson: 4 tackles (3 solo), pass breakup, scoop and score
LB
Rashad Watson: 8 tackles (3 solo)
HOR/S
Zaquan Patterson: 6 tackles (5 solo), TFL
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Coming off a week where Frye collected the Stats Perform National Freshman of the Week, he had another strong performance in his young career, yet again improving on his stats from a career week against Texas Southern a week ago. His improvements have seen him complete nearly 70 percent of his passes, while pushing the ball downfield at an efficient pace throughout his nine starts.
The Black Swarm Defense appeared to be a difference maker, as it has been in several games this season. Led by linebackers
Mitchell Robinson Jr. and
Corey Lucius and defensive backs
Montel Campbell and
Ta'Shaun Sims, the unit has made key plays when it needs to, and it has certainly been pivotal as the other side of the ball breaks in a new quarterback.
Speaking of the defense, the unit managed another third-quarter shutout on Saturday, its seventh of the season. While it has allowed plays here and there in the other three quarters, its strongest period has always followed halftime, as the locker room break provides the team a reminder of its goal while bringing an opportunity for the team to regroup.
With two different defenses matching up in The Gump, Alabama State's was more effective in limiting passing (58 percent completion, one interception), points (13), and third-down conversions (3-of-12). Jackson State's equally strong defensive unit, which specializes in preventing rushing yards (27) and total yards (219), did an admirable job in its own right, but Alabama State was able to recognize its holes to emerge victorious in the end.
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The Hornets, who keep its postseason hopes alive with a massive victory today, host Prairie View A&M, one of the West Division's top teams, next Saturday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m., with the game set to be broadcast from Montgomery on ESPN.
