Today's Alabama State Hornet Sports Report

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HOUSTON, Texas -- The Alabama State University football team has arrived in Houston for today's Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) game against Texas Southern University.

The game is big for both teams as ASU continues to fight to stay near the top of the East Division. Meanwhile, TSU has fallen in all four games this year, but have been close in losses to Jackson State and Alabama A&M.

ASU heads into tomorrow's action sporting a 3-2 overall record and 3-1 in the conference. The Hornets lone loss was a seven point defeat at Jackson State.

"We have to stay focused on the task at hand," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "We dropped an important game early in the season and we have to play the entire season with our backs against the wall."

"A lot of people look at TSU and don't give them any respect. They have fought through adversity and have gotten better each game and their scores are showing that. They have our attention and they have some of the top talent in the conference. Anyone that sees a film of them can see the talent they have. It is going to be an uphill challenge for us and we have to be ready tomorrow."

TSU is 0-4 overall and 0-3 in the SWAC. Last week the Tigers dropped a 12-10 heart-breaker at Alabama A&M when they missed a field goal late in the game.

ASU continues to be led by junior running back Isaiah Crowell who has rushed for 695 yards through the first five games. He leads the SWAC in scoring with nine touchdowns and just this week was added to the Walter Payton Award Watch List.

ASU's rushing game is averaging 281.6 yards per game and is fifth in the nation in the Football Championship Series (FCS) in that department.

Kourtney Berry and Najee Bright lead an improving defense. Berry has 49 total tackles (23 solo, 29 attempts) and also has five tackles for loss (-32 yards), three sacks (-27 yards), a pass interception, a fumble recovery and has thrown in a quarterback hurry.

Bright has 40 tackles (19 solo, 21 assists). He also has one of the six interceptions the Hornets defense has. He too has recovered a fumble and has broken up a pass.

Chris Terry and Carlton Jones lead the Hornets defensive line. Terry as a team-high seven tackles behind the line of scrimmage (-32 yards) to go along with his two sacks (-18 yards).

Jones has five tackles for loss (-44 yards) and leads the team in sacks with four (-39 yards). Justin Mitchell and Edward Mosley are also having strong seasons along the line as each has registered four tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Mosley has three sacks and Mitchell two.

Saturday's game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. with the live audio broadcast on WVAS FM 90.7 at 5:45 p.m.

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