MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Timmy McClain passed for 266 yards and two touchdowns Saturday afternoon, but it wasn't enough as Alabama State held off Bethune-Cookman 52-35 in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Football contest at ASU Stadium in Montgomery, Alabama.
 
Bethune-Cookman (2-4, 1-1 SWAC) opened the game with an 85-yard scoring strike through the air as quarterback Cam'Ron Ransom linked up with receiver Maleek Huggins for a touchdown on the game's opening play from scrimmage. The Juan Dominguez extra point made it 7-0 in favor of the visitors in front of an ASU homecoming crowd of 24,736.
 
However, Alabama State (4-1, 2-0 SWAC) would respond by scoring on each of its next four possessions.
 
A nine-play, 79-yard drive saw ASU signal-caller Andrew Body connect over the middle with Derick Harden for the score to tie the game at 7-7 following the Andrew Abu-Akel kick. After B-CU turned the ball over on downs on its ensuing possession, the Hornets used a 40-yard field goal from Abu-Akel to step in front 10-7 with 3:49 remaining in the opening quarter.
 
A quick B-CU three-and-out was followed by a four-play, 70-yard scoring drive by the Hornets that saw running back Jamarie Hostzclaw scamper in from 10 yards out to advance the lead, 17-7. On their first possession of the second quarter, the hosts used a two-yard rush around the right side from Karl Ligon to push farther ahead, 24-7.
 
The Wildcats got back into it when transfer quarterback Timmy McClain entered the game in the second quarter and engineered a 10-play scoring drive that took 4:21 off the clock.
 
McClain hooked up with sophomore receiver Javon Ross twice on the drive, eventually culminating with the former UCF and USF quarterback finding Huggins down the left side for a four-yard touchdown through the air. For McClain, it was his first passing touchdown of the season. That brought the Maroon and Gold to within 24-14 with under two minutes remaining in the first half.
 
However, the Hornets quickly replied with Body connecting with Jalen Jones on a 30-yard route that went the distance for the score, advancing the ASU lead at 31-14 at the half.
 
Two more scores after the break saw the Hornets hold their largest lead of the day, 45-14 after a 48-yard Jahbari Kuykendall touchdown via the ground with 6:20 left in the third period.
 
Bethune-Cookman found the end zone for the third time on the day on a drive that featured a host of McClain and Alihaja Scott Jr. runs, concluding with McClain's one yard plunge up the middle to make it 45-21.
 
ASU answered with a Marcus Harris II rushing score three plays into the fourth quarter, pushing the lead to 52-21. Overall, six different players scored touchdowns for the Hornets.
 
On the ensuing possession, the Cats drove 74 yards on 14 plays and took almost seven minutes off the clock in one of the longest scoring drives of the season. McClain finished the drive 5 of 7 passing, while tacking on his second rushing touchdown of the game with another one yard rush up the middle.
 
The Cats produced their final touchdown of the contest on their next possession as running back Rashon Brown carried the load on the drive, finishing with a McClain to Ross connection for a 20-yard scoring strike and the second passing touchdown of the day for the Sanford, Florida native.
 
ASU was led offensively by Kuykendall with 106 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Body finished 11-for-16 passing for 171 yards and two touchdowns. The Hornets defense was headlined by Ta'Shaun Sims and Drake Johnson with eight tackles each.
 
B-CU used 100 yards on the ground from Scott on a game-high 15 carries. McClain had 266 yards through the air on 24-for-34 passing and two scores. He also ran for 29 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Ross had nine receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown. And Huggins finished with seven catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
 
The Wildcats defense saw Antwone Watts register a game-high 10 tackles (seven solo), followed by Stephen Sparrow Jr. with six stops (five solo).
 
B-CU is back in action Saturday, Oct. 11, when the Wildcats welcome SWAC opponent Southern (La.) to Daytona Beach for a 3 p.m. kickoff.
 
Follow Bethune-Cookman Football on X/Twitter (@BCUGridIron) for all the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on X/Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) and BCUathletics.com.