Alabama State enjoys a delicious 100th Turkey Day Classic
Alabama State dominates Tuskegee 34-6, with coach Eddie Robinson praising the Hornets' resilience: 'This team had that championship feel.'"
The Alabama State Hornets dominated Tuskegee on Thursday, securing a scrumptious 34-6 victory in the 100th Turkey Day Classic.
The Hornets (7-5, 5-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference) quickly established control, jumping to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. Tuskegee (5-6, 5-3 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) responded with two field goals by Lorcan Ryans — from 30 and 47 yards — cutting the deficit to 21-6. Golden Tigers Quarterback Raequan Beal finished 9 of 20 for 86 yards with two interceptions.
The Hornets’ top-ranked SWAC defense continued its strong play, with James Burgess recording his fifth interception of the season. Alabama State completed the year having not allowed a touchdown for nine straight quarters.
Quarterback Kareem Keye threw for a career-high a career-high 331 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Robert McMinn caught touchdown passes of 73 and 63 yards, totaling a career-high 152 receiving yards.
The team closed out its season with a 7-5 record, overcoming injuries to their three top quarterbacks.
“From the first game, we went down 21-0,” Hornets head coach Eddie Robinson said. “Nobody complained we just went out there and kept playing football. Quarterback got hurt and we kept playing. Next guy got hurt, we kept playing. I’ve been on a lot of really good teams, some Super Bowl teams, championship teams. And this team had that championship feel.”
Robinson said when he was feeling down after a loss, the team inspired him and the coach staff.
“When I can come back to practice on Sunday and they’re like, ‘Come on coach, let’s go, let’s get it going,’ like they pump me up,” he said.
Third-year head coach Robinson becomes the first ASU coach with three straight winning seasons since Reggie Barlow, Barlow had five consecutive winning seasons from 2010-2015.
