Friday, September 21, 2012

Arkansas-Pine Bluff 24, Alabama State 21 - Buzzkill: Hornets' rally falls short

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -  The whole nation saw what Alabama State fans have been agonizing over for weeks.  Justin Billings rushed for 127 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and Dennis Jenkins added 82 yards on 19 carries as part of a 246-yard rushing effort by Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a 24-21 victory over Alabama State at Cramton Bowl on Thursday night.

The evening was part of “Faith, Family and Military Night” that drew 18,110 fans. Along with an ESPNU national cable audience, it was a chance for the Hornets to show their improvement from a poor effort against Bethune-Cookman in the season opening MEAC-SWAC Challenge on ESPN.

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instead, it was more of the same as the Hornets sputtered sporadically on offense, provided no spark with special teams and had problems getting off the field on defense.

“Overall, it wasn’t our best, but we played against a really good team, and that’s what happens when you’re not on your best and you’re playing against a good team,” ASU coach Reggie Barlow said. “It’s pretty disappointing and discouraging. If you think too much on it, it’ll let it affect you. We’re going to encourage them, we’ve got to correct them and let them know you can’t get off to a slow start against a good team, and you can’t have a lot of penalties against a good team.”

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