The Alabama State University Hornets defeated the Tigers of Bethune Cookman University Wildcats by a score of 52-35 on Homecoming week to improve to 4-1 on the season and push their win streak to 4. The Hornets to start the game sent the ball off to the Bethune Cookman Tigers who responded with a 85 yard touchdown that shocked the crowd  to start the game and take an early 7-0 lead on the Hornets. The Hornets stayed composed and drove down the field methodically being led by runningback Jamarie Hostzclaw. Quarterback Andrew Body then threw two big passes to receivers Asa Gregg and Jalen Jones each totaling over 10 yards on each completion.  Body completed the first hornet drive with a touchdown pass to Derrick Harden to even the score up to 7-7.

Bethune Cookman in response to this had a turnover on downs with a big stop coming from the Hornet defense. Body took full advantage of this and had a huge 16 yard run to put the Hornets in field goal position. Kicker Andrew Abu-Akel drove in a 40 yard field goal to give the Hornets their first lead of the game 10-7. The

Hornets kicked off to Bethune Cookman who again did nothing with the ball and punted it off to the Hornets. Again runningback Jamarie Hostzclaw had a big run that set up the 36 yard pass from Andrew Body to Ajai Harrell. That set up the 10 yard touchdown run from Jamarie Hostzclaw to push the score to 17-7 Hornets. After another failed attempt to score by Bethine Cookman the Hornets scored another touchdown from running back Karl Ligon to push the score to 24-7. Bethune Cookman finally responded with a touchdown to make the score 24-14. After the kickoff Andrew Body responded with a 45 yard quarterback keeper to electrify the crowd. The very next play Andrew Body threw a 30 yard touchdown pass to Jalen Jones to push the lead to 31-14 to end the half.

The second half seemed to have the same outcome with another Karl Ligon rushing touchdown to push the score to 38-14 an absolute blowout on Homecoming. The Tigers yet again struggled to score on the Hornet defense with punt after punt which. Running back Jahbari Kuykendall took full advantage and had a 45 yard rushing touchdown to add on to the beat down on Homecoming the Hornets pushed the score to 45-14.

Bethune Cookman responded by scoring a meaningless 1 yard touchdown run that capped off their 75 yard drive down the field to make the score 45-21. By the fourth quarter the band was playing, the crowd was electric for the win that was looming Marcus Harris II put the exclamation touchdown to a dominant win pushing the lead at the beginning of the 4th quarter to 52-21. Bethune Cookman did score two touchdowns at the end of the game which pushed the final score to 52-35.

Defensively, the Hornets were led by Drake Johnson and Ta’Shaun Sims, who each tallied eight tackles. Deonte Johnson also added an interception to the dominant defensive performance.

Alabama State returns to action next Saturday against Jackson State for a key SWAC East Division matchup.