Alabama State head football coach
Reggie Barlow addressed the media on the SWAC Weekly Coaches Teleconference reflecting on Saturday's win at Alcorn State and this week's home game vs. Texas Southern.
It was a rain-soaked 54-14 win last week for Alabama State (3-2 overall, 3-1 SWAC), as the Hornets were able to score touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams against the Braves.
“It's always great to have the offensive explosion where you score points,” Barlow said. “We scored points in all three phases, and whenever you can do that, that's great. Hopefully it gives our guys confidence to carry over going into this next game knowing that we can create turnovers, we can make plays with turnovers, not just get them, but get them and score. That was a big boost for our defense and special teams.”
Perhaps the most glaring negative for the Hornets this past Saturday were penalties. Alabama State committed 12 penalties for 113 yards.
“That's a sign of (lack of) discipline,” Barlow said. “I'm a little frustrated with that and disappointed in the fact we are getting that many penalties. It's something we will address…We're not good enough to make that many penalties and win. It's definitely something we have to manage better, but it's a direct correlation to our discipline. Our guys are not doing some of the things we're asking them, so we have to get that corrected.
The Hornets begin the month of October with a trio of games in the state of Alabama, beginning with this week's game vs. Texas Southern (1-4, 1-2). Saturday's game will be video streamed live free of charge on bamastatesports.com
The Tigers, in their first year under new head coach Darrell Asberry, opened the season with a come-from-behind over their archrivals, Prairie View A&M, and have lost SWAC games to Jackson State and Alabama A&M, as well as non-conference games to North Texas and Sam Houston State.
“I always have had a lot of respect for Texas Southern's program and the type of athletes they have,” Barlow said. “It will be a big game for us, just like the rest of them. They have a lot of exciting players on their team. Their offensive line is really big and they're scoring a lot of points (scoring over 30 points in a game three times this season). We have our work cut out for us. It will be a home game for us. It's always exciting to play at home and we're looking forward to it.”
Roberts, Wenzig Earn SWAC Honors Again: LB
Brandon Roberts was named SWAC Defensive Player of the Week, and K/P
Bobby Wenzig was named SWAC Specialist of the Week for their efforts against Alcorn State.
Roberts (6-2, 225, SR, Winter Haven, Fla.) earned the award for the second straight week after registering 10 tackles, with seven solos stops and 2.0 tackles for loss with one forced fumble. Roberts helped the defense yield a season-low 195 total yards and just 83 rushing yards, second-lowest allowed this season. Roberts leads the Hornets with 46 tackles (26 solo, 4.0 TFL) and two forced fumbles.
Wenzig (JR, K/P,6-2/185, San Diego, Ca.) earns the award for the third time this season. He made all six PATs while averaging 46.0 yards on three punts in a constant rain. Wenzig's season average of 46.5 yards per punt leads the SWAC and ranks second in the nation.
NOTABLES vs. ALCORN STATE:
• Alabama State forced a season-high five turnovers (1 INT, 4 Fum) at Alcorn State, the most since forcing seven takeaways (6 INT, 1 Fum) at Jackson State Sept. 24, 2011.
• 54 points scored was the most by Alabama State since its 64-58 triple overtime loss to Tuskegee in the 2007 Turkey Day Classic. It is the first time the Hornets have scored at least 30 points this season, as ASU has won 13 straight games and are 33-4 since 2003 when scoring at least 30 points.
• The Hornets' 264 rushing yards was the most since 272 rushing yards vs. Edward Waters on Sept. 26, 2009.
• It was the first time since Turkey Day 2007 the Hornets ran the ball at least 50 times.
• WR
T.C. McWilliams' TD reception was the 14th of his career, tying him for 8th in ASU history with O.L. Actwood (1972-75).
• RB
Isaiah Crowell's 61-yard touchdown run was the Hornets' longest play from scrimmage this season and the longest run by Alabama State since
Tim Clark's 71-yard touchdown run at Arkansas-Pine Bluff Nov. 5, 2011. It was Crowell's six rushing TD of the season, setting a career high.
•
Corey Schofield's recovery in the end zone on a blocked punt was the Hornets' first special teams touchdown since
Jazeric Peterson's fumble recovery in the end zone at Texas Southern on Oc.t 8, 2011.
•
Deandre Rashada's interception return for touchdown , his first career INT, was the first by the Hornets since
Saeed Lee's 20-yard INT return for TD at Jackson State Sept. 24, 2011.
• For the first time: LB
Winton Steward's first career fumble recovery and touchdown in the first quarter.... CB
Corey Schofield scored his first career touchdown on a recovery of a blocked punt in the fourth quarter ...RB
Rodney Cross scored his first career touchdown on a two-yard run in fourth quarter.
