MONTGOMERY (Interstat) — Alabama State used a fast start, a special teams touchdown and a balanced offensive effort to defeat Mississippi Valley State 41-15 on Saturday in an NCAA Football Championship Division game at ASU Football Stadium. The Hornets improved to 3-1 this season, while the Delta Devils fell to 1-4. Alabama State scored on its opening possession and never trailed, building a double-digit lead before Mississippi Valley State found its footing. The Delta Devils struggled to sustain drives but found the end zone twice and added a field goal. Mississippi Valley State entered the game after a home loss to Delta State, a home win over Lincoln, a road loss at Sacramento State and a season-opening loss at Nicholls State. Alabama State entered after a road loss at Troy, a home win over Lane and a road win at Southern.

The Hornets opened the scoring in the first quarter when A. Frye connected with Daionte Hicks on a 34-yard touchdown pass. Frye later rushed 6 yards for a score, and Andrew Abu-Akel added a 34-yard field goal to cap a 17-point first quarter. Mississippi Valley State got on the board early in the second quarter when Josh Brown found Caleb Brownlow for a 31-yard touchdown, but the extra point failed. Luka Sari missed a 57-yard field goal later in the quarter, and Abu-Akel made a 41-yard field goal for Alabama State before halftime. The Hornets took a 24-6 lead into the break, controlling field position and limiting the Delta Devils’ rushing attack.

Special teams shifted momentum in the third quarter. Sari’s kickoff was returned 98 yards by Hicks for a touchdown, extending Alabama State’s lead. Mississippi Valley State answered in the fourth quarter with a 23-yard field goal by Jackson Arthur, but Frye rushed 9 yards for another Alabama State touchdown. Brownlow then broke free for a 76-yard rushing touchdown, though the extra point failed. Alabama State closed the scoring on J. Howard’s 2-yard touchdown run with 52 seconds remaining. The Hornets finished with 41 points, their highest output of the season, while the Delta Devils were held to 15 points.

Josh Brown led Mississippi Valley State through the air, completing 10 of 15 passes for 110 yards and one touchdown. Dayvian Bluitt contributed in multiple phases with one carry for 5 yards, one reception for 14 yards, five kickoff returns for 109 yards and one punt return for 3 yards. Caleb Brownlow was the Delta Devils’ most explosive playmaker, rushing twice for 77 yards and catching two passes for 53 yards while scoring two touchdowns. Norman Taylor added 11 carries for 22 yards and one reception for 12 yards. Carter James had two carries for 13 yards and three receptions for 8 yards, while Nicholas Buggs ran three times for 13 yards and caught one pass for 11 yards. Dezmond Ray had five carries for 5 yards and one reception for minus-1 yard. Jaylen King caught two passes for 19 yards, and Montrell Conner had one reception for 14 yards. Jordon Davis completed 2 of 3 passes for 20 yards.

Defensively for Mississippi Valley State, Javieane Stevens recorded seven tackles. Joey Davis had six tackles. Christ Kore added five tackles, one sack and one punt return for no yards. Kamsi Arinze posted four tackles and one quarterback hurry, while Malek Jackson, Anthony Brown and Will Hawkins each had four tackles. Anthony Brown also added a quarterback hurry. Jonathan Nicholson, Hollis Sams and Jamari Stokes each made three tackles. Deondri Clark contributed two tackles, one sack and one quarterback hurry. Cole McKinney recorded one tackle and one interception. Derrick Taylor, Sian John, Joel Queisser and Jusden Culpepper each had one tackle. Jonathon Brown had one kickoff return for minus-2 yards. Nick Stephens punted six times for 222 yards.

For Alabama State, Daionte Hicks delivered two touchdowns, catching a 34-yard pass and returning a kickoff 98 yards. He finished with one reception for 34 yards and two kickoff returns for 127 yards. Randall King caught three passes for 72 yards. Nehemiah Hixon had one reception for minus-2 yards and three punt returns for 4 yards. John Austin caught one pass for 4 yards, and Zach Williams had one reception for 9 yards and four tackles. Jamarie Hostzclaw ran 12 times for 11 yards and caught one pass for 12 yards. TJ Ramsey had six carries for 21 yards, two receptions for 8 yards and one kickoff return for 12 yards. Trevor Bywater punted five times for 220 yards.

Defensively for Alabama State, Mitchell Robinson Jr. led with seven tackles. Eldridge Shelton had six tackles and two sacks. Omari Russell made five tackles and one quarterback hurry. Quinten Beamon and Montel Campbell each recorded four tackles. Ta’Shaun Sims and Zion Crawford each had three tackles, with Crawford adding a quarterback hurry. Brekien Harold and Zamari Hall each made two tackles. Zach Williams added four tackles. These efforts helped the Hornets limit the Delta Devils for much of the afternoon.

Mississippi Valley State’s upcoming schedule includes a home game against Prairie View, a road trip to Texas Southern, a home game against Bethune-Cookman, a home game against Alcorn State, a road game at Jackson State, a road game at Florida A&M and a home game against Alabama A&M. Alabama State’s upcoming slate includes a road game at Bethune-Cookman, a home game against Florida A&M, a road game at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, a home game against Alabama A&M, a road game at Texas Southern, a home game against Jackson State, a home game against Prairie View and a home game against Tuskegee.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Alabama State 42, Mississippi Valley State 18. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Alabama State with a 98.5 percent probability to win. Mississippi Valley State had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of +34.5. The total score of 56 went under the over/under line of 54.5.