PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- Jamel Johnson's 21 yard touchdown pass from Daniel Duhart capped a 16-point fourth quarter as ASU came from behind to beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 40-39."I'm proud of our team because they fought, "Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "Arkansas-Pine Bluff is a good team and we knew they would fight back. They were picked to win it and they are the defending SWAC champs."
To say it was a game of runs would not give the game justice as ASU opened the game scoring the first 21 points of the game. UAPB would then out score ASU 32-3 to enter the final quarter with a 32-24 lead.
ASU would end the game on a 16-7 run with the Johnson's final touchdown coming with just over four minutes left. His score followed an Isaiah Crowell five yard scoring run and a Bobby Wenzig 30 yard field goal.
Following ASU's final score, the Hornets defense still had to stop the Lions offense which finished the game with 482 yards one last time. They were able to do that with three consecutive sacks; two from Edward Mosley and one from Carlton Jones.
"Our defense gave up some big plays, but they came up with some big stops when we needed it," Barlow said. "So we are happy and proud of them about that."
ASU finished the game with 475 yards and for the third straight game rushed for over 200 yards. Crowell led the way with a game high 161 yards on a career high 29 carries. Malcolm Cyrus had 82 and Duhart 32. Duhart finished the game hitting 19 of his 22 pass attempts for 200 yards and two scores.
For the second time this season DeMario Bell had over 100 yards in receptions, finishing with 102 on six receptions. Earl Lucas had a game high seven catches for 47 yards and a score.
On defense, Kourtney Berry had the best game of his young career with 15 tackles. He had a sack, tackle for loss and an interception, which led to a Hornet score. Najee Bright had 10 tackles and forced a fumble.
The game started ASU's way scoring three times in the first quarter. The first coming on Duhart's 19 yard pass to Lucas and the
second on Cyrus' career-long 33 yard run. The final score was Crowell's 25 scoring run following Berry's interception.
The second quarter saw UAPB get back into the game first on a three yard pass from Benjamin Anderson to Brandon Kensey. After ASU's second turnover of the half, UAPB drove 68 yards on seven plays with Jeremiah Young covering the final three yards. After the PAT was blocked, ASU led 21-13.
ASU was able to go into the locker room with a 24-13 lead after a Wenzig 41 yard field goal with one second left in the half.
"This is college football and it's an exciting game," Barlow said. "I am excited for our kids and the way they came back tonight. These kids have been fighting and we've had some adversity, but our guys have bought in and continue to practice hard every day and we are proud of them for that."
After two weeks on the road ASU (1-2/1-1 SWAC) will be back home next week when they host Grambling State at 5 p.m. at New ASU Stadium.
COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
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