In a season opener , Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body returned from injury with a vengeance, torching the UAB Blazers for 431 total yards and five touchdowns. Though the Hornets ultimately fell 52-42 in a high-octane affair at Protective Stadium on Thursday night, Body's dual threat quarterback announced his arrival as the heartbeat of Eddie Robinson Jr.'s offense, turning what could have been a blowout into a nail-biter that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

Body, the redshirt junior transfer from Texas Southern who missed much of last season due to a shoulder injury , wasted no time reminding everyone why he was named the starter just days before kickoff. On Alabama State's second play from scrimmage, he exploded for a 60-yard touchdown run, sidestepping defenders with elusive bursts of speed that left the Blazers grasping at air. It was the kind of play that sets the tone, and Body followed it up with pinpoint accuracy through the air, completing 18 of 24 passes for 312 yards and four scores. His passer rating soared to 239.2, a testament to his command of the game despite facing an FBS-level defense.

The Hornets struck first blood early, with Body rushing for a 60-yard TD. UAB responded with a 8-yard TD pass to Iverson Hooks but Alabama State had other plans. Before halftime, Body orchestrated three scoring drives, including a clutch 31-yard touchdown strike to wideout Ajai Harrell with just five seconds left in the second quarter, sending the teams into the locker room with ASU leading 21-17. "Andrew Body," coach Robinson said postgame, his words underscoring the quarterback's leadership in keeping the team composed amid the chaos.

Coming out of the break, Body kept the pedal down. Early in the third quarter, he found Asa Gregg for a five-yard touchdown pass, pushing the Hornets' lead to 28-17. The Blazers, however, mounted a furious rally with three straight touchdowns, flipping the script and putting Alabama State in chase mode. Undeterred, Body connected with running back Jamarie Hostzclaw on a seven-yard rushing score to stem the tide, and later unleashed a 69-yard bomb to Jalen Jones in the fourth quarter, pulling the Hornets within three points at 45-42 with 4:18 remaining. Jones had a career night himself, hauling in six catches for 174 yards, while Harrell added four receptions for 76 yards. Hostzclaw chipped in 54 rushing yards, providing balance to an offense that racked up 514 total yards and converted 13 of 15 third downs.

Defensively, the Hornets battled valiantly but couldn't contain UAB's explosive attack, which amassed 520 yards. Linebacker Keane Lewis led with eight tackles, and Ta'Shaun Sims added seven, but turnovers including an ill-advised lateral from Body that led to a Blazers recovery proved costly. UAB sealed the win with a late touchdown inside the two-minute mark, dropping Alabama State to 0-1 while the Blazers improved to 1-0.

For Body, the performance was a personal triumph. Rushing 16 times for 119 yards alongside his aerial assault, he accounted for nearly every big play in a game that showcased his resilience. "He's our guy," Robinson emphasized, praising Body's ability to confuse defenders and lead under pressure. As the Hornets lick their wounds and prepare for a road tilt against Southern University on Sept. 6, one thing is clear: with Body under center, Alabama State has the firepower to sting any opponent in the SWAC and beyond. This opener may have been a loss on the scoreboard, but it was a win for the program's future.