Alabama State opens season with victory in Birmingham Classic

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WAKA) – The Alabama State Hornets have opened their football season with a 30-17 win over Southern University in the first-ever Birmingham Football Classic at Legion Field.

ASU’s redshirt senior quarterback Andrew Body, who is the SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, went 14-for-23 for 192 yards and a touchdown while also running eight times for 42 yards.

Alabama State had 19 first downs, while averaging 4.2 yards per rush. Its 351 total yards included 192 passing yards, an 8.3 average per attempt, while the Hornets also had a strong advantage in both punt (31) and kick (23) return average.

Alabama State went a perfect 5-for-5 on red zone opportunities, while converting its only fourth down try and connecting on all three field goal attempts.

The Hornets will host Lane College in the Labor Day Classic on Saturday, September 5. Kickoff is at 5PM.