ASU overcomes 10-point deficit to down Jacksonville State

By CASSANDRA M. TAYLOR, Sports Reporter

Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow debuts with 24-19 victory

MONTGOMERY -- Alabama State rallied from a 10-point third-quarter deficit to pull off one of the biggest wins in the program's history Saturday night, knocking off state rival Jacksonville State 24-19 in Reggie Barlow's coaching debut.

Running back Jay Peck fought through cramps the entire game, but managed a 15-yard touchdown run with three minutes left for the win. Peck finished with 16 carries for 79 yards and the score.

Former LeFlore High quarterback Chris Mitchell proved to be the Hornets' best-kept secret. He came off the bench and completed 10 of 11 passes for 206 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

"Chris Mitchell has all the tools, he can run, he can throw and he's a smart guy," Barlow said. "Right now, Chris is doing an outstanding job. Our players are responding to him and he's our guy."

Jacksonville State got a pair of 36-yard field goals from Gavin Halford and the Gamecocks stretched the lead to 13-0 with 1:48 remaining in the half on T.J. Heath's 18-yard interception return for a touchdown off an errant Alex Engram pass.

Mitchell entered the game with a little over a minute remaining in the half tossed a 32-yard touchdown pass to Marcus McCall with seven seconds left to make it 13-6.

"I thought Alex was going to play the entire game," Mitchell said. "He's been working hard for this, but once I saw he was struggling, I started warming up. I just felt like I could get in and hopefully make something happen."

Halford kicked a 21-yard field goal with 5:22 to go in the third quarter to make it 16-6, and Barlow thought forcing JSU into field goals was big for the Hornets after the Gamecocks reached the red zone seven times.

"Our defense played well all last season and have been playing at a high level at camp," Barlow said. "If we have an opportunity to win a championship, it will be because of our defense. It's scary how fast and hard those guys play."

Down by 10 points, Mitchell connected with Antonion James from 61 yards out with 4:59 on the clock in the third to trim the deficit to 16-12.

Alabama State overtook Jacksonville State early in the fourth quarter on Rahmod Traylor's 66-yard run, but Jeremy Fetterhoff missed his third PAT kick.

Halford gave the Gamecocks a 19-18 lead on a 42-yard field goal with 6:34 left in the game.