MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama State football team responded emphatically with their biggest half of the season, a 41-point second half boom, and zipped past Miles College 53-20 on Thursday to celebrate homecoming while rekindling the pageantry and tradition of the 93rd Turkey Day Classic at ASU Stadium.
Alabama State (4-7) sent out their senior class in grand fashion as 19 players stepped onto the field for the last time as a player and scored 53 unanswered points after falling behind in the early goings of the game.
Trailing 14-12 at halftime, Alabama State turned it up another notch with electric plays such as one from Bradley Street, who started the half off in the best way possible by returning the kickoff the length of the field for a 100-yard touchdown to give ASU the lead that they would not relinquish.
Rickey Haley added to the lead on a critical defensive play when he returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown to put ASU ahead 33-14 after a David Albert PAT with 9:55 remaining in the third quarter.
The seniors had their shining moments in their final appearance at ASU Stadium.
Senior Khalid Thomas ripped off a 42-yard touchdown run later in the quarter and finished with 17 carries for 171 yards and two touchdowns.
Fellow senior Quinterris Toppings completed 17-of-24 passes for 166 yards and threw for two scores with one on a 35-yard hook up with Austin Beamus and another on a five-yard strike to senior Brandon Barnes.
Toppings also ran in a touchdown on a goal line plunge.
Alex Anderson was the other Hornet who found the end zone, with a nine-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter.
The Hornets pounded Miles on the ground, rushing 43 times for 291 yards.
Senior Kourtney Berry finished his Alabama State career with a co-share of the team lead in tackles with six and also came up with a tackle for a loss.
Ronnie Scott also had six tackles on the day.
The Golden Bears concluded their season at 5-5.
Courtesy: ASU Athletics
