MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama State brought its spring football campaign to a close with the annual Black and Gold Game. It was a game which pitted the defense (Black) against the offense (White) with the black team taking advantage of several point gaining plays to defeat the white team 82-18.
“For us this spring this was our finale, the spring game,” Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. “It’s an opportunity for our fans to see where the team is and see what these guys have done and accomplished over the spring.”
“For us it was more about letting these kids get out there and playing without the coaches actually being on the field and ultimately trying to keep everybody healthy. All-in-all it was a pretty good spring and we have some things to evaluate on and go from here.”
ASU’s defense returns nine starters from last year’s team and it showed all spring as the defense turned in big play after big play. In the 81-play game ASU’s offense only managed 222 yards and scored two touchdowns, while also getting a field goal.
The scoring system which heavily favored the defense awarded five points for an interception and three points for any three-and-out, sacks and fumble recoveries. Tackles for lost yardage awarded the defense with two points.
The defense recorded eight sacks led by Chris Terry and Marcus Owens who had two each. There was a total of 18 tackles for lost yardage as Owens led the way with four and Terry and Roderick Henderson recording three each.
Kourtney Berry picked up a fumble which he returned 27 yards for a score and Justin Mitchell also fell on a loose ball. JaQuez Bowser had a first half interception for the Black team and Henderson finished off an outstanding spring game when he picked off the game’s final pass for the defense’s fourth turnover of the game.
“Obviously I went and discussed the scoring system with the defensive coaches because I wanted to make sure I was fair to them and of course they were all like yea, yea a sack should be three points and a loss of yardage should be this and it kind of got out of hand,” Barlow said jokingly.
The White team did manage a touchdown pass from Quinteris Toppings to Earl Lucas which covered 35 yards in the opening half. In the second half Andre Kincey ran in from 10 yards out for the White team’s second score and the final three points came off the foot of kicker Alex Louthan who booted a 21 yard field goal in the final quarter of play.
Toppings completed 11 of 19 passes for 82 yards and the scoring toss to Lucas who had 40 yards on two receptions. The game’s leading rusher was Kincey who finished the game with 37 yards on 11 carries including his 10 yard sprint to the endzone.
“Obviously, I was a bit disappointed in the (offensive) performance today,” Barlow said. “The game of football has to be played with emotion and energy and excitement and when you don’t have that, it shows. Even if you don’t have all the ability, if you play with energy and effort you’ll make some plays. I just didn’t think our guys displayed that from an offensive standpoint.”
“Yeah, we know our defense is good but our offense is good. We’ve got the same guys who averaged 30 points except for Crowell and Edmond. You’ve still got Damian, you’ve still got Bell, you’ve still got Cyrus. There’s no reason for us not to be able to put on a better show. They lacked energy and it showed on the field.”
The coaching staff handed out their spring awards following the game which were:
“Peter Rabbit” Award: JaQuez Bowzer
Rico Wells Award: Marcus Owens
Most Improved Defensive Player: Antonio Humphreys
Most Improved Offensive Player: Andre Hammond
Most Valuable Defensive Player: Trey Jenkins
Most Valuable Offensive Player: Damian Love
The Hornets will begin preparations for the 2014 season in August with the team’s first game against Football Championship Series (FCS) power Sam Houston State, Saturday August 30 in Huntsville, Texas.
Former Soccer Player Receives State Award
MONTGOMERY – Former Alabama State Soccer player Jordan Creel has been awarded the Bernice Finger Award.
The Bernice Finger Award is given to the two most outstanding health, physical education, recreation and dance students in Alabama (male/female). The Finger award is given each year by the Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (ASAHPERD) to two outstanding future professionals.
Creel played in 28 games for the Lady Hornets and was a four year SWAC All-Academic Team member. She has a GPA of 3.4 while pursuing her degree in Physical Education.
“I am so proud of Jordan,” said head coach Jodie Smith. “To be the recipient of such an honor in your field of study for the State of Alabama is a tremendous accomplishment. Jordan has definitely proven to be that type of person and student-athlete that every coach is proud to have on their team.”
Selections are based on academic achievement and service to the student’s university and community.
The Finger Award honors the late Dr. Bernice Finger, longtime professor at the University of Montevallo.
Core Named SWAC Softball Hitter of the Week
MONTGOMERY – The Southwestern Athletic Conference has named Alabama State’s third baseman Kendall Core the SWAC Softball Player of the Week.
This is the first time this season that an Alabama State player has earned SWAC honors. Core, over the weekend, (5-3 • INF • FR • Benicia, Calif.) went 7-for-12 at the plate for an average of .583. She had two doubles, two homeruns and seven RBI. She accounted for 15 total bases and scored five runs. Core finished with a slugging percentage of 1.25 and an on-base percentage of .583. In the 9-2 game against Alabama A&M on Friday, she recorded one double, a homer, two runs and four RBI.
On the season, Core is hitting .446 with 38 hits, 10 doubles, five home runs and 24 RBI. Core has a slugging percentage of .624 and an on base percentage .442.
The Lady Hornets will look to add to their win total as they travel to Lorman, Miss., to face Alcorn State in a conference weekend series.
