Alabama State Made The Winning Adjustments Versus Southern

The Hornets faced challenges on both sides of the ball but found the answers en route to a Labor Day Classic win.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Football is a game of adjustments. That could mean pivoting from the original game plan or approaching the game with a different mindset. Both instances were displayed Saturday night for Alabama State as the offense and defense had to find answers to different problems in the season-opening win against Southern.

Led by returner Dematrius Davis, the offense was compact and unique, incorporating a heavy dose of screen passes, run plays and direct snaps to running back Ja'Won Howell. Only a couple of throws were non-screen passes, but the offense proved to be effective in pushing the ball downfield early on, including the 43-yard touchdown score by Kisean Johnson.

"We feel great that our preparation came to fruition," Howell said. "We had a lot of success running the ball between me and Jaylen Sulton. It was showing something new. We have to improve on some things, but it was a good night running the ball."

The offensive scheme favored Davis, who struggled to throw the ball last season and faced similar issues in training camp scrimmage. However, the Southern defense slowly figured it out, meaning the Hornet offense had to turn to its passing game. But Davis rose to the challenge, completing several key throws to keep the defense honest, including a slant pass to Kisean Johnson for the go-ahead touchdown.

ASU's second-year starter went 7-for-12 in the second half, but he did enough with his arm with several completions from 11 yards to 17 yards to make the defense respect him. Head coach Eddie Robinson was satisfied with Davis' passing but said that isn't the plan for him this season.

"We don't want him to be a pocket passer," Robinson said. "I told Davis that if I'm a linebacker or defensive coordinator, I'm saying, 'Keep Dee Davis in the pocket.'  Robinson encourages Davis to use his legs if he doesn't see it within the first few seconds and that "his best football is ahead of him."

Defensively, the issue wasn't the game plan or anything tactical. The defense's adjustments had to do more with the energy they played with. Harold Blood and the Southern offense marched down the field with little resistance in the first half, which was a surprise given the defense's expectations. Howell said his defensive teammates were inspired by the offensive performance, telling Howell, "Man, you all are moving the ball. We got you all; just keep moving the ball. Keep doing what you're doing. We aren't playing up to the standard we're supposed to."

Alabama State played to its potential in the second half, recording all four turnovers in the final two quarters; interceptions by Nazareth Bryant and Mikey Victor, and two fumbles recovered by Roderick Daniels and Stefan Young-Rolle.

"Southern had us on our heels in the first half," Robinson said about the defense. "The guys just had to settle down. So we let the offense get us going in the third quarter, and after that, settle down and play football."

In a game of adjustments, the Hornets rose to the occasion on both sides of the ball, with both tactics and tenacity.