Wednesday, September 24, 2014

FCS Game of the Week: Texas Southern at Alabama State

Texas Southern (4-0, 2-0 SWAC) at Alabama State (3-1, 2-0)

When: Saturday, 6 p.m. ET

Series Record: Alabama State leads, 15-11-2

Last Meeting: Alabama State won, 34-2, last Oct. 5

Television: ASU HornetVision

What to Know: The importance of this game is a surprise when considering unbeaten Texas Southern has already matched its combined win total from both the 2012 and '13 seasons. The Tigers lead the Southwestern Athletic Conference's West Division, while Alabama State is in front in the East Division. The winner will move to 3-0 in conference games, a great jump-start toward qualifying for the conference championship game in December.

Texas Southern's four opponents to date are a combined 2-12, so the schedule hasn't been particularly tough for the Tigers. Their defense, getting superb play from sophomores Derrick Lyles at defensive tackle and Dari Claiborne at linebacker, has kept opposing teams from moving the chains and given the ball back to their offense, which is averaging an impressive 34 minutes of game clock per contest. Quarterbacks Homer Causey and Jamal Small both see time under center, and running back Daveonn Porter (104.3 ypg, six total touchdowns) is having a breakout season. Punter Cory Carter is among the best at what he does in the FCS, leading the nation with a 47.8-yard average on 17 punts.

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