Hornets Fall to Bulldogs 42-28 in Magic City Classic

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Alabama State took on Alabama A&M in the oldest HBCU Classic to date, the Magic City Classic. This was the 80th meeting between the two largest HBCUs in the state of Alabama. Alabama A&M looked to get their first win in over a month and snap a four-game losing streak. ASU is trying to bounce back from a disappointing 28-7 loss to Deion Sanders’ Jackson State Tigers. But with a conference record of 2-2 and their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. The Hornets fell to the Bulldogs 42-28.

Alabama State lost another must-win game to stay in playoff contention. Their hopes of making the SWAC Championship are over with Alabama A&M taking the third spot in the SWAC East, bumping ASU to fourth. Jackson State is currently 5-0 in the conference, followed by FAMU at 4-1, and now A&M at 2-3. In the SWAC West, Prairie View is 5-0, followed by a consistent playoff team Alcorn State at 4-1.

These are the teams you need to beat to get on top of the conference and compete in the Celebration Bowl.

In the Hornets previous three losses, they have scored a total of just seven points, two games were complete shutouts. The three wins would be impressive if they hadn’t played against teams with a sub-500 record. One team has still yet to win a game and the other has only won one game.

Statistically, in this game, both teams were similar in rushing yards and passing yards, Alabama A&M took advantage of more opportunities which resulted in points scored. A&M quarterback Aqeel Glass went 20-33, 321 passing yards, and four touchdowns as the Hornet defense had a difficult time containing the former SWAC Offensive Player of the Year.

Ryan Nettles went 24-38, 243 passing yards, and three touchdowns but an interception to add. Nettles played well in his return from injury but the defense just could stop A&M’s passing attack. Wide Receiver Jeremiah Hixon had 10 catches for 116 yards. Another wide receiver Wallace Corker showed up with a six-catch, 73 yard game with two touchdowns.

These skilled players can be the key to their success, it’s just about getting the ball into your playmaker’s hands and moving the ball down the field. Finding the endzone didn’t seem to be a problem for Alabama State. Consistency is this teams biggest problem