ASU loses rainy homecoming game to Florida A&M 28-27
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) – In a homecoming game that was held one day early due to the incoming Hurricane Isaias, Alabama State fell to SWAC foe Florida A&M 28-27.
The game kicked off at 11AM Friday at ASU Stadium.
The Hornets (3-3, 1-2 SWAC), had some strong individual performances and spurts of action. However, as it looked to finish things off in the key moments, the advantage shifted to the visiting Rattlers (2-4, 1-1 SWAC), who won for the third straight game at ASU Stadium and the first time against a conference opponent this season.
This was the first Friday game since an under-the-lights meeting with Southern University in February 2021, the time change a result of the pandemic-adjusted 2020 campaign. It was also the first game with a morning kickoff time since a meeting with 25th-ranked Auburn in September 2021.
Defensive end Kanye Varner, a Jackson State transfer and former three-year Hornet from 2022-24, as well as defensive tackle Detrick Jones, a 2025 ASU player and former three-year student-athlete with the Mississippi State Delta Devils, returned to the field after being granted a fifth year of eligibility, made possible thanks to a number of court rulings surrounding the NCAA’s Five-for-Five model. Each took the field against the Rattlers, with the latter recording a tackle on the day.
Jamarie Hostzclaw’s big day was the first 100-yard rushing day of the season for an Alabama State player, while his stellar performance was the best individual game by an ASU tailback since he had 135 yards against the Rattlers last September. The triple-digit yardage performance gives him five career performances in the midst of his third year in The Gump.
Stats:
ASU freshman quarterback Aaron Frye went 10-for-15, 107 yards, interception; 11 carries, 76 yards (6.9 yards/carry)
Junior RB Jamarie Hostzclaw: 28 carries, 128 yards, touchdown
Junior RB TJ Ramsey: five catches, 28 yards; four carries, 24 yards
Junior LB Mitchell Robinson Jr.: nine tackles (one solo), pass breakup, quarterback hurry, 0.5 tackles for loss
Senior LB Corey Lucius: five tackles (three solo)
Freshman CB Zion Crawford: 91-yard touchdown (blocked field goal return), interception
The Hornets now face three road games. They will head to Arkansas to face Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m.
— Some information from ASU Athletics
