Alabama State was picked to rule the SWAC East. Now, after two straight conference losses, the Hornets are running out of room to salvage their division title hopes.
Friday’s crushing 28-27 loss to Florida A&M, sealed by a blocked field goal as time expired, pushed Alabama State closer to the brink and left the preseason division favorite facing an increasingly difficult road to the SWAC championship game.
The defeat marked Alabama State’s second consecutive SWAC loss, dropping the Hornets to 1-2 in conference play.
“Right now it’s about winning the next day. That’s all we can do,” Robinson told the Montgomery Advertiser. “We have our backs against the wall, and we’re going to fight our way out of this.”
Alabama State appeared poised to end its two-game skid after building a 27-14 advantage early in the fourth quarter. But Florida A&M quarterback Armond Parker connected with Armand Burris on touchdown passes of 88 and 89 yards, with the second score putting the Rattlers ahead 28-27 after a successful two-point conversion.
The Hornets had one final opportunity to reclaim the lead, but their 47-yard field goal attempt was blocked as time expired.
The loss followed a 16-10 defeat at Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 3, leaving Alabama State with consecutive setbacks against SWAC East opponents. The Hornets entered the season with championship aspirations after winning 10 games in 2025, but their margin for error has narrowed considerably.
A difficult road to the SWAC championship
Alabama State’s path to the SWAC championship game now depends on putting together a strong finish and getting help in the division standings.
The Hornets have four conference games remaining: a road matchup against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Oct. 17, the Magic City Classic against Alabama A&M on Oct. 31, a road trip to Texas Southern on Nov. 7 and a home game against Jackson State on Nov. 14.
Alabama State closes its regular-season home slate against Prairie View A&M on Nov. 21, but that game is a nonconference matchup and does not count toward the SWAC standings.
The remaining conference schedule offers opportunities to recover, but the Hornets cannot afford many more setbacks. Their games against Alabama A&M and Jackson State could prove especially consequential in the race for the East division title.
The path back to contention is even more uncertain with the status of star quarterback Andrew Body, out with an injured left wrist, unknown at the moment.
Jackson State entered the weekend unbeaten in SWAC play, while Bethune-Cookman and Alabama A&M also remained in the division race. Alabama State must win its remaining conference games and hope the teams ahead of it drop enough games to open a path to the top of the standings.
For Robinson and the Hornets, the immediate priority is straightforward: regroup, correct the mistakes that contributed to Friday’s collapse and find a way to win their next game.
Alabama State’s championship hopes may depend on how quickly the team responds to adversity.
