On its first drive of the Orange Blossom Classic, Alabama State coach Eddie Robinson Jr. sent out both Andrew Body and Jonah O’Brien in a two-quarterback formation.
What might have been a surprise to the North Carolina Central defense, it foreshadowed the intentional gameplan that both quarterbacks would play in what was a continuation of an offseason long competition between the signal callers.
For the game, O’Brien went 5 of 11 for 61 yards and threw two costly interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Kole Jones, in the 31-24 loss to NC Central on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Body, the highly-touted Texas Southern transfer, also produced pedestrian passing numbers, going 4 of 6 for 27 yards on just 4.5 yards per attempt. However, it was Body’s two electric touchdown runs of 38 and 39 yards in the second and fourth quarters, respectively, that kept the Hornets within striking distance of the Eagles.
Robinson Jr. explained after the game that the plan was to play both quarterbacks to take advantage of their different skill sets and make it difficult for the NC Central defense to adjust on the fly.
“The plan was to play both quarterbacks,” said Robinson. “Both of them have a different type of skillset so you feel like it is harder for the defense to adjust. But at the same time, they can run the same plays.”
But aside from Body’s 134 yards of brilliance on the ground, the Hornets offense struggled largely to move the ball regardless of who was at quarterback.
38-yard TD run by #AlabamaState #Hornets QB Andrew Body (@ANDREWBODY_) vs #NCCU pic.twitter.com/FapA0LACdu
— Sleeper Athletes (@SleeperAth1etes) September 1, 2024
Alabama State was 4 of 12 on third down and totaled less than four yards per carry from primary running backs Marcus Harris II and Daquon Kincey, who tallied a combined 54 yards on 15 attempts. The longest rush other than Body’s two was an 18-yard burst by Jamarie Hostzclaw on his only try of the game. Hornets wide receivers compiled just 88 yards on nine receptions spread between seven pass catchers, including Body, who caught one pass for nine yards.
But Robinson stuck with both QBs throughout the game despite the uneven performance from the position.
“O’Brien can run but not as good as Body. Body can still make throws as good as Jonas,” said Robinson. “You’re looking at both of those guys they can move the ball. It’s just a matter of getting a feel for it as a play-caller. That’s how we kind of came into it.
Full press conference: @alabamastateu @DeMarkusCunnin1 @jsmoove_002 @erob50
They spoke on how the @orangeblossomfc turned out for them and what could have gone differently. They also spoke highly of what @NCCU_Football accomplished in this one.@ANDREWBODY_ @MuckCityMedia pic.twitter.com/WDjIBz61vY
— Naji Tobias (@najitobias) September 2, 2024
“There wasn’t a set number of plays it was what’s the play and who you feel more comfortable with that play.”
It is unclear what the quarterback plan will be for Alabama State moving forward ahead of next Saturday’s game against Miles, considering Body exited late in the fourth quarter after he was seen in discomfort grabbing his hand.
Robinson did not disclose who would start or how the quarterback situation would be handled. For now, a team with so much expectations to win big has to figure out the most important position on the field.
