BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Opening highly anticipated Week Zero action for the Inaugural Birmingham Football Classic at Legion Field, Alabama State’s second half explosion offensively while shutting out the Jaguars on the defensive end helped the Hornets claim the Mayor’s Cup with a 30-17 final score.

Southern opened the first quarter, forcing multiple three-and-outs on the defensive end and opened the scoring column with a 29-yard rush from Mike Franklin, putting the Jaguars ahead 7-0. The Hornets looked to respond with a drive to get into the endzone but multiple stops from Southern forced a field goal inside the red zone, bringing the score 7-3.

Heading into the second quarter, the Jaguars took the field on offense using their tempo to move the ball followed by a wheel route getting back into the redzone. Christian Johnson used the read option to keep the ball and tug his way for a touchdown, pushing the Southern lead to 14-3.

The Hornets began to find life on the offensive side as Andrew Body found Randall King for a 61-yard completion, putting Alabama State in scoring territory. Keeping the tempo going, the Hornets plowed into endzone with a 15-yard rushing touchdown from Jamarie Hostzclaw, cutting their deficit to 14-10. Nearing the end of the first half, both Southern and Alabama State end their final offensive drives with field goals to go into the break with the Jaguars leading 17-13.

The second half saw the Hornets turn up the intensity at Legion Field as the Hornets’ defense forced two consecutive three-and-outs. Taking the field at the 8:42 mark, the Hornets leaned on the rushing attack, moving the ball into scoring territory. Finishing the drive, the Hornets took their first lead with a three-yard rush from Jareese Howard. Leading 20-17, two positive gains on the ground resulted in Andrew Body connecting with Randall King for the goal line fade touchdown, extending their lead to 27-17.

Heading into the fourth quarter, the Hornets jumped a route across the middle for an interception halting Southern’s offensive rhythm. Alabama State’s final scoring drive saw the Hornets move the ball with a mixture of quick passes and positive ground gains. The Hornets finished the drive with a field goal, extending their lead to 30-17. Alabama State’s defense the half not allowing a Jaguars score to end the game with a second half shutout, contributing to the Hornets corralling the Mayor’s Cup.
 
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
 
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.

Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
 
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