The quarterback situation for Alabama State moving forward is unclear while the team waits to learn the extent of an apparent injury sustained by Andrew Body in the Hornets’ 31-24 loss to North Carolina Central.
Body, who rushed to a game-high 134 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday in the Orange Blossom Classic in what was his first start after transferring from Texas Southern, took himself out of the game late in the fourth quarter while grasping his hand.
On Tuesday, Hornets head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. provided an update on Body’s status as the team prepares for a Week 2 matchup at home against Miles College.
The third-year head coach indicated that Body did not participate in practice and would be examined to determine the extent of his injury.
“We will see,” Robinson said in reference to Body’s status. “At the end of the day, Alabama State, we have to be ready to play whether he’s available or not.”
If Body is unable to play, Jonah O’Brien figures to take the bulk of the snaps on Saturday. The Eastern Illinois transfer went 5 of 11 for 61 yards and threw two costly interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Kole Jones on Sunday.
Robinson reiterated on the SWAC coaches’ media teleconference that the plan going into the season opener was to play both quarterbacks because of the strong fall camp each had, though that might change if Body can’t go.
“Every week is a different game plan. Alabama State Week 10 will be different than Week 1,” said Robinson when asked about the team’s outlook for the position. Every team is going to have that same time of evolution.
“Where that’s (quarterback competition) going to go, I can’t predict. They (Body and O’Brien) compete hard; they play hard and respect each other. They both have the same goal in mind to help us win football games.”
