Hornets bring talented team to Bowers Saturday
8/27/2014 9:34:00 PM | Football
After taking FCS No. 1 ranked Eastern Washington down to the wire last week in Cheney, it doesn't get any easier for the Bearkats when they open their 2014 home schedule Saturday at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium at 6:30 p.m.
Alabama State, one of the preseason favorites in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, visits and SHSU head coach K. C. Keeler knows the Hornets will be a challenging opponent.
“They're a very talented team,” Keeler said. “They are one of the most talented we'll face this year and that's not 'coach speak'.”
The Hornets have proven to be one of the top teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference the past four years, finishing at the top of the Eastern Division three times earning a berth in the 2010 SWAC Championship game.
Alabama State has 63 lettermen and 16 starters returning from a team that finished 8-4 in 2013 and 7-2 in conference action.
“Normally a football team sees its biggest improvement between its first and second games,” Keeler said. “There's no way you can simulate a real game in practice. We're definitely going to have to eliminate the mistakes and see improvement this week to compete with Alabama State.”
Last year, the Hornets averaged 32.3 points per game and were one of the top rushing teams in FCS. ASU returns seven starters and will once again be one of the top offenses in the SWAC.
One of the team's strengths is the offensive line returns four starters including all-conference Matthew Bates (6-3 305).
Starting quarterback Daniel Duhart (6-0, 193) returns after throwing for 1,903 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. The running game will be in good hands with Malcolm Cyprus (5-10, 180) back after gaining 759 yards and scoring six touchdowns on the ground.
ASU also returns its two receiving leaders in Earl Lucas (5-8, 160) and DeMario Bell l6-3, 180). Lucas finished 2013 with a team-high 51 receptions. He had 515 yards and scored three times. Bell had a team-high 594 yards receiving on 30 catches with three touchdowns. His 19.8 yards per catch also led the team.
Alabama State's defense has been a leader in the SWAC for several years. Nine starters return from a defense that ranked second in the conference in scoring defense (25.8 ppg) and led the conference in rushing defense (110.1 ypg).
Returning All-SWAC players Edward Mosley (6-3, 256) and Derrick Billups (6-3, 308) return in the front line for ASU. Daerius Washington (6-0, 205) is the leader of the Hornet linebacker corps. All-SWAC safety Najee Bright (6-2, 180) anchors the defensive secondary.
