The Alabama State Hornets opened their 2026 season in Birmingham, Alabama, defeating the Southern Jaguars 30-17 in the inaugural Birmingham Football Classic.
A Second-Half Surge
The Hornets erupted after the break, rattling off 20 unanswered points to pull away from the Jaguars, who had been guided by Marshall Faulk.
Redshirt senior quarterback Andrew Body was named Offensive Player of the Game after throwing for 192 yards and a touchdown while adding 42 rushing yards. He was complemented by Jamarie Hostzclaw and TJ Ramsey, who combined for 100 yards on 22 touches.
On defense, Mitchell Robinson Jr. recorded eight total tackles, including six solo, and Greg Mangle intercepted the first play of the fourth quarter. The Hornets also forced a crucial field goal by Andrew Abu-Akel, a 44-yard effort that answered a Southern touchdown in the opening quarter.
The team logged 19 first downs, averaged 4.2 yards per rush, and converted all five red-zone attempts, highlighted by a successful fourth-down play. With a perfect 5-for-5 red-zone conversion rate, the Hornets showed balance on both sides of the ball. Their next test arrives on Labor Day, when they host Lane College’s Dragons at ASU Stadium in Montgomery.