Alabama State Hornets at Alabama A&M Bulldogs
· NCAA - Football
Alabama State's special teams shine in 31-16 win over Alabama A&M
The victory is the third straight for Alabama State, which posted wins over Bethune-Cookman and Jackson State after snapping a string of three straight losses.
The Hornets held Alabama A&M to back-to-back three-and-outs to start the game and McMinn cashed in on the second punt five minutes into the game to take a 7-0 lead. Xavier Lankford answered with a pair of touchdowns, the first on a 1-yard run following an Alabama State fumble and the second on a 39-yard pass to Terrell Gardner with 19 seconds left in the half. After a short kickoff gave the Hornets the ball at their own 39, Damon fired 14 yards to Ja'Won Howell with nine seconds left, they launched a Hail Mary pass to the goal line where Johnson, surrounded by three defenders, came down with the ball for a touchdown as time ran out in the half.
Alabama A&M drove to the Alabama State 30 and Jayden John attempted a 50-yard field goal that was blocked. Burgess scooped up the loose ball and returned it for the score.
Stewart was 17 of 23 for 202 yards and a touchdown and Johnson finished with four catches for 82 yards for Alabama State (4-3, 3-2 SWAC).
Lankford was 22 of 40 for 231 yards and a touchdown with an interception for Alabama A&M (4-4, 2-3). He added 14 carries for 26 yards and a score.
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How To Watch
How can I watch Alabama State Hornets vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs?
- TV Channel: Hornets at Bulldogs 2021 College Football, week 9, is broadcasted on ESPN+.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Scoring Summary
 |
TD | 1st Period 10:01 | Robert McMinn 48 Yd Punt Return (Jayden John Kick) |
 |
TD | 1st Period 3:03 | Xavier Lankford 1 Yd Run (Victor Barbosa Kick) |
|
FG | 2nd Period 3:34 | Jayden John 26 Yd Field Goal |
|
TD | 2nd Period 0:19 | Terrell Gardner 39 Yd pass from Xavier Lankford (Victor Barbosa Kick) |
|
TD | 2nd Period 0:00 | Kisean Johnson 47 Yd pass from Damon Stewart (Jayden John Kick) |
|
TD | 3rd Period 11:40 | James Burgess 60 Yd Return of Blocked Field Goal (Jayden John Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 5:02 | Ja'Won Howell 8 Yd Run (Jayden John Kick) |
|
SF | 4th Period 0:03 | Team Safety |
Statistics
 ALST |
 AAMU |
|
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1st Downs | 14 |
| 5-14 | 3rd down efficiency | 3-16 |
| 0-3 | 4th down efficiency | 3-5 |
| 287 | Total Yards | 290 |
| 202 | Passing | 231 |
| 17-24 | Comp-Att | 22-40 |
| 8.4 | Yards per pass | 5.8 |
| 85 | Rushing | 59 |
| 31 | Rushing Attempts | 26 |
| 2.7 | Yards per rush | 2.3 |
| 9-63 | Penalties | 6-42 |
| 2 | Turnovers | 2 |
| 2 | Fumbles lost | 1 |
| 0 | Interceptions thrown | 1 |
| 30:03 | Possession | 29:57 |
Game Information
Location: Birmingham, AL
Attendance: 69,210 · Capacity:
Southwestern Athletic - East
| TEAM | OVR | CONF |
|---|---|---|
| Florida A&M | 12-1 | 8-0 |
| Alabama State | 7-4 | 5-3 |
| Jackson State | 7-4 | 5-3 |
| Alabama A&M | 5-6 | 3-5 |
| Bethune-Cookman | 3-8 | 2-6 |
| Mississippi Valley State | 1-10 | 1-7 |
Southwestern Athletic - West
| TEAM | OVER | CONF |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie View A&M | 6-6 | 6-2 |
| Alcorn State | 7-4 | 6-2 |
| Southern | 6-5 | 5-3 |
| Grambling | 5-6 | 4-4 |
| Texas Southern | 3-8 | 2-6 |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 2-9 | 1-7 |
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