MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A fourth quarter fourth-and-one ended incomplete as the Wildcats fell just short of spoiling a Hornets homecoming, Saturday night at ASU Stadium in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) football contest.


 
After both defenses forced punts to open the contest, Alabama State (2-3, 1-2 SWAC) capitalized on a short B-CU punt to open the scoring with a 24-yard field goal.

Bethune-Cookman (1-4, 0-2 SWAC) immediately answered as Dacarri Allen-Johnson took the ensuing kickoff 45 yards to midfield. Eight plays later, Jimmie Robinson punched in a seven-yard touchdown run - his first of the season - to make it 7-3, B-CU. 

With seven minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Hornets fell short on a fourth-and-four try from the B-CU 22 to end the scoring chance. 

The Wildcats threatened again with just over 12 minutes before halftime, but a bad snap on a Cade Hechter field goal attempt led to a block by Colton Adams.

On the very next drive, the Hornets again drove into B-CU territory after nearly nine minutes off the game clock, and again were stuffed on a fourth down attempt to turn the ball over on downs. 

Alabama State came out hot out of the halftime break. A 47-yard pass and a 37-yard pass set the Hornets up for a one-yard touchdown run. The Hornets took a 9-7 lead as Eddie Walls III got a hand on the PAT.

The Hornets padded their lead to 16-7 on their next drive, taking the ball 95 yards on 11 plays, capped off by a 21-yard touchdown pass.

Alabama State opened the fourth quarter with another score, this time pushing a field goal through the uprights with 14 minutes remaining to make it 19-7.

The Wildcats made it interesting again 14-play, 70-yard drive for a touchdown. Quarterback Walter Simmons found Jalen Brown for the receiving touchdown to make it 19-14.

The Hornets took over with just four minutes remaining looking to run out the clock. Just three plays into the drive, following a Hornets timeout, Wildcats corner Stephen Sparrow picked off a Damatrius Davis pass at the Alabama State 22, returining it to the ten yardline to set up first-and-goal for the Wildcats.

After a four-yard loss on a sack of Simmons, a four-yard Robinson rush, and an incomplete pass, the Wildcats were set up for a fourth-and-goal attempt for the win. Simmons pass sailed high as the Hornets held on for the 19-14 victory.

• Walter Simmons finished the afternoon 13-22 passing with 75 yards and a touchdown. He rushed 17 times for 83 yards.
• Jimmie Robinson was the only running back to appear for B-CU, rushing 22 times for 75 yards and a touchdown. 
• Dearis Thomas, the Wildcats leading tackler heading into the game, led the Wildcats once again with nine total tackles and two tackles for loss. 

Homecoming is up next for the Wildcats as they return to Daytona Stadium to host Texas Southern. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. 
 

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