ASU Jenkins Meets with Local Media before Alcorn State

MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Alabama State University Head Football Coach Brian Jenkins held his weekly press conference Wednesday afternoon in the Media Room at ASU Stadium. He took some time to look back on last week's performance and talked about the upcoming opponent, Alcorn State.

"We gave a valiant effort last week, but it wasn't good enough," Jenkins said. "It was good to see the guys play hard and accept the challenge, but that's not what its' all about, it's about playing well enough to win and that is something we didn't do. We have a lot of learning experiences, coaching experience off that game and we have put that away and our focus is totally on our next opponent."

Jenkins took some time out to discuss a few things the team would be working on to prepare for the SWAC's two-time reigning champions.

"The main thing is to get better as a football team overall," Jenkins said. "We need to continue to improve on our fundamentals and our basics, become a more detailed football team in every phase of the game and those things we did not do in our first contest. Those are a must in this football game if we want to come through with a victory."

Alcorn State will enter this game without a record even though they played part of a game Sunday in the MEAC-SWAC Showdown. The game was called without a winner after an almost three hour weather delay. The Braves had opened up a 13-7 lead over Bethune-Cookman when the game was called midway through the second quarter.

The Braves have won the last two games in the series and five times over the past six seasons the winner of this game has either won the East Division outright or been tied for the lead in the division, so this game has turned out to be a very important game as far as the race for the SWAC Championship game is concerned.

"Every game is a big game and a lot of people are saying this is a huge game," Jenkins said. "Alcorn is the king of the conference right now and they rightfully deserve that crown they have earned it. But it is a big game as well as every other game is a big game because you have other teams in this conference that I think have the capability of being right there at the top."

"It's a big game for us because we get a chance to go against one of the top teams in Alcorn and we're really looking forward to it. I'm telling you we are excited about this game, can't wait till Saturday, but we know there is a phase of things you have to go through before you get to Saturday, but like I said we're excited about this game. It is a big game because you're going against the champs and hopefully you'll be the team that dethrones them, but it's all going to come down to between those lines with the Jimmies and Joes and exes and ohs and I wouldn't want it any other way."

Game time in Lorman is 6 p.m. and can be heard live over the Hornet Radio Network on 102.7 FM, 96.7 FM and HSRN Sirius Radio. The game can be watched live on ESPN3.

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS