Written by: Justin “J.B.” Baines
The Alabama State Hornets delivered a dominant performance this past Saturday, defeating Florida A&M by the score of 42-14 at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. Bama State sought to solidify their position in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and left no doubt about their intentions with a complete team effort.
The Hornets dominated the first half, setting the tone from the opening kickoff. Their offensive line dominated the trenches, creating running lanes that allowed their backfield to consistently move the chains. Jamarie Hostzclaw led the “334 Stable” of running backs with 135 yards rushing on 22 carries. Marcus Harris II only had 3 attempts, but he found the endzone for 3 TDs. JR Gardner scored the first TD of his collegiate career. As a team, they ran for 299 yards. Total domination on the ground. Star QB Andrew Body was solid using his legs as well, making timely throws down the field that kept the Rattlers’ defense off balance. He went 10 for 18, 106 yards passing, and 2 TDs, both scores to Jalen Jones.
Defensively, the Hornets were relentless. The front seven applied constant pressure on FAMU’s QB RJ Johnson III, forcing hurried throws and limiting the Rattlers’ ability to establish rhythm. The secondary contributed with tight coverage, breaking up passes and preventing big plays downfield. It was a solid all-around effort led by Rhoody Jean-Louis, Jalil Lenore, Deontre Morris, and Tre Phillips.
This performance was a showcase of preparation, execution, and resilience. Big props to Coach Eddie Robinson Jr. and his staff for making such a team focused on the task at hand. With momentum on their side, the Hornets now look ahead to the rest of their schedule with confidence. FAMU will regroup and seek to bounce back in the coming weeks. This game could be remembered as a turning point in Bama State’s season, solidifying their reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the SWAC!
Watch the Bama State Recap Show here: https://www.youtube.com/live/iIcQAA-OYow?si=fwg5ufzeKOAWcPjm
