AUBURN, Alabama -- Alabama State was able to move the football and made big plays throughout the night, but the depth of seventh-ranked Auburn proved too much as they pulled away for a 63-9 victory over the visiting Hornets.
The announced crowd of 84.806 was the largest crowd that Alabama State has played in front, in their first trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Alabama State (1-1) had their chances early, forcing Auburn into a three-and-out on their first offensive possession and then forced a fumble on the second drive of the game by the Tigers. Alabama State came off the turnover with a 51-yard pass from Darryl Pearson, Jr. to Dieuly Aristilde to set the Hornets up at the Auburn 30-yard line. However, the Hornets lost a yard on back-to-back plays before a 43-yard field goal from Hunter Hanson missed wide left.
Auburn (2-0) was able to score on back-to-back possessions, before an interception by Daniel Thomas pushed the lead to 21-0 in the first quarter. Ezra Gray returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for an Alabama State touchdown, before it was called back to a holding call on the return. The kick would have been a career long by Gray, and would have been the longest of the year on the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
The Tigers scored on four of five possessions in the second quarter to go up 42-0 before Ricky Haley put Alabama State on the scoreboard. The Hornets had Auburn backed up to their goal line, and Haley was able to wrap up back-up quarterback Malik Willis for a safety to trim the lead to 42-2 with 4:48 remaining in the half.
The Hornets final score came on a 29-yard touchdown pass from KHA'Darris Davis to Joe Williams IV in the back of the end zone on a third and long play. Williams reached up and over a defender, grabbing the ball and was able to get a foot on the ground before falling out of bounds.
Talesin Farmer led the rushing attack for Alabama State with 40 yards on 10 carries, while Pearson finished the night with 99 yards passing. Gray led the Hornets with three receptions as Alabama State tallied 205 yards of total offense. Meanwhile, Auburn had a pair of backs – JaTarvious Whitlow (122) and Shaun Shivers (117) – go over 100 yards. Meanwhile, Jarrett Stidham finished the night 6-of-11 for 113 yards and a touchdown for Auburn, who finished with 567 yards of total offense.
Defensively, Joshua Hill led Alabama State with eight tackles and Kurron Ramsey added seven. The Hornets forced four fumbles by Auburn on the night, two of which that were recovered by Devon Booker.
Alabama State returns to action next Saturday on the road against nationally-ranked Kennesaw State. The game is scheduled to kick at 5 pm (est), and can be heard on the Hornet Sports Network beginning at 4:30 pm (est). The game can also be seen on ESPN+.
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