BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | The Alabama State University football team capitalized off big plays, scoring off a punt return, blocked field goal and a Hail Mary as the Hornets won their second consecutive Magic City Classic, knocking off Alabama A&M, 31-16, in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) game on Saturday at Legion Field.
 
Alabama State (4-3 overall, 3-2 SWAC) got the opening score off a 48-yard punt return by Robert McMinn. The Hornets took the momentum into the half when Damon Stewart sailed a 55-yard pass into the end zone, connecting with Kisean Johnson on a Hail Mary. ASU hit the trifecta when Victoria Barbosa's field goal attempt in the third quarter was blocked and returned 53 yards for the score by Tyree Saunders.
 
"We knew coming in that it was going to be a good football game and that we couldn't afford to make any mistakes," Alabama A&M head coach Connell Maynor said. "It was a good game in the first half. We got a big play right before the half, scoring a touchdown and taking the lead. At that point we had the momentum. Then we give up three plays, with the Hail Mary, now they got the momentum with the touchdown heading into halftime.
 
"We knew the defense was playing well. We got a stop to open the second half, but then had to settle for a long field goal. They get a scoop and score on the blocked kick and grab a 10-point lead. They started to eliminate our possessions and that was essentially the ballgame."
 
Alabama A&M (4-4, 2-3) began the game at its own 7 after a penalty wiped out a big return on the opening kickoff. The Bulldogs could not get anything going after two more penalties on the beginning drive.
 
After a punt by Austin McCready, Alabama State started its first series at the AAMU 36. Zareon Hayes nearly picked off Damon Stewart's pass as the Bulldogs forced the Hornets to punt the football on their first series.
 
The Bulldogs started the second series on their own 6. However, AAMU could not pick up a first down and after a delay of game penalty, McCready's 39-yard punt was returned by Robert McMinn, who raced into the endzone for a 48-yard touchdown as Alabama State grabbed a 7-0 advantage with just over 10 minutes to play in the first quarter.
 
Alabama A&M capitalized on a special team's mistake by Alabama State as punter Harrison Tuck fumbled and was scooped up by Nikobe Myers, who was tackled at the Hornet 3. After a pass interference penalty, the Bulldogs cashed the turnover into seven points when Xavier Lankford scored on a 1-yard keeper, tying the game at 7 with 3:03 left in the first.
 
The Hornets found their groove on offense after an 18-yard punt by McCready. 
 
Alabama State used a strong ground game before taking to the air as Stewart connected with Johnson for 19 yards, moving the ball to the AAMU 18. However, the Alabama A&M defense forced a stop and the Hornets walked away with three points after a 26-yard field goal by Jayden John with 3:34 remaining in the half.
 
On the next offensive series, the Bulldogs saw a touchdown wiped off the board due to a holding penalty. However, on 4^th-and-four from the ASU 34, Lankford connected with Terrell Gardner for 39 yards as Alabama A&M grabbed a 14-10 advantage with 19 seconds left.
 
After a short kickoff, Stewart and the Hornets went right to work with 17 seconds. He connected with Ja'Won Howell for 14 yards. Following a timeout, Stewart dropped back and fired a Hail Mary into the end zone as Johnson came away with the football as time expired, sending Alabama State into the break with a 17-10 lead.
 
The Hornets opened the second half with the football. Stewart connected with Isaiah Scott, but the ball was stripped away by Xavier Billingsly.
 
However, the Bulldogs could not move the football and had to settle for a Victor Barbosa 47-yard field goal attempt. His kick was blocked and returned all the way for the score by Tyree Saunders as the Hornets opened up a 24-14 lead with 11:40 remaining in the third quarter.
 
Turnovers plagued the Bulldogs in the second half as Lankford tossed an interception on a potential scoring drive and fumbled the ball inside the ASU 30 with less than 10 minutes left in the fourth.
 
Alabama State controlled the clock with a 10-point lead as the Hornets took more than four minutes before sealing the game with an 8-play, 72-yard drive
 
The Hornets converted a 3^rd-and-12 as Stewart hit McRae Ellington for 30 yards. On the next play, Howell scored on an 8-yard touchdown run, giving the Alabama State a 31-14 lead with 5:02 remaining.  
 
Alabama A&M picked up a safety with three seconds remaining as the Hornets won their second straight Magic City Classic.
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• Alabama A&M finished with 296 total yards of offense
• The Bulldogs registered 13 first downs
• Xavier Lankford went 22 of 40 passing for 237 yards, with one touchdown and one interception
• Lankford also led the ground game with 14 carries for 26 yards and one score
• Terrell Gardner tallied six receptions for 62 yards and one touchdown
• Marvin Smith and Xavier Billingsly each recorded nine tackles
• Smith had seven solo stops, with one tackle for loss
• Billingsly added three solo stops, one quarterback hurry, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery
• Alabama State finished with 287 total yards, including 202 through the air
• The Hornets recorded 11 first downs
• Damon Stewart went 17 of 23 passing for 202 yards, with one touchdown
• Ja'Won Howell registered 52 yards on nine carries, with one score
• Kisean Johnson caught four passes, none bigger than the Hail Mary at the end of the first half, for 82 yards
• Colton Adams led the defense with 12 total tackles, with four solo stops

 
NEWS & NOTES

• Alabama A&M and Alabama State met in the 82^nd Annual McDonad's Magic City Classic, presented by Coca-Cola
• Alabama A&M continues to lead the all-time series, 43-36-3
• Alabama State has now won two straight in the series
• The Bulldogs came into the game ranked tops in the conference in scoring offense  
• The Hornets entered Saturday's game third in scoring defense
• The Bulldogs started their first two drives inside their own 7
• Alabama State scored on a punt return and a Hail Mary in the first half
• Kisean Johnson was named the Offensive MVP, while Amon Scarbrough was selected the Defensive MVP
• Alabama State head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. remains perfect (2-0) in the Magic City Classic 
• With the loss, Alabama A&M is eliminated from winning the SWAC East Division title 

UP NEXT  
The Bulldogs return to action next Saturday (Nov. 4) as Alabama A&M plays host to Florida A&M at Lewis Crews Stadium. Kickoff the Hall of Fame Game is set for 1 p.m. as the program will also celebrate Senior Day, Military Appreciation Day, High School Day and High School Senior Day.
 
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics, check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics) and Twitter (@_aamuathletics).
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