What Is 2009 Alabama State football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 Alabama State football team represented Alabama State University in the 2009 NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 7–4 record under head coach Houston Markham. They competed in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and played home games at ASU Stadium in Montgomery.

Key Facts

The 2009 Alabama State football team finished the season with a 7–4 overall record
Head coach Houston Markham led the team during his final season before retiring
The team played its home games at ASU Stadium in Montgomery, Alabama
They competed in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) as part of NCAA Division I FCS
Quarterback Chris Rycraw was a key offensive leader, throwing for over 1,800 yards

Overview

The 2009 Alabama State football team represented Alabama State University during the 2009 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), the team was led by head coach Houston Markham, who was in his final year at the helm after more than a decade with the program.

The Hornets played their home games at ASU Stadium in Montgomery, Alabama, drawing consistent support from the university community. Despite not qualifying for the SWAC Championship Game, the team showed improvement in several offensive categories and developed key players who would contribute in future seasons.

Record: The Hornets finished the 2009 season with a 7–4 overall record, marking a modest improvement over the previous year’s 5–6 mark.
Conference play: Alabama State competed in the SWAC’s East Division and posted a 6–3 conference record, narrowly missing the division title.
Head coach: Houston Markham, who retired after the season, coached his final year with the Hornets, finishing with a 66–59 overall record at the school.
Home stadium: ASU Stadium, located in Montgomery, has a capacity of approximately 26,500 and served as the team’s home field since 1999.
Offensive leader: Quarterback Chris Rycraw threw for 1,837 yards and 13 touchdowns, leading the team in passing efficiency and total offense.

Key Players and Positions

The 2009 season featured several standout athletes who contributed significantly to Alabama State’s performance on both sides of the ball. The Hornets relied on a balanced offensive attack and a developing defense that showed signs of improvement as the season progressed.

Chris Rycraw: As the starting quarterback, Rycraw completed 163 of 287 passes and maintained a 56.8% completion rate over 11 games.
Arvell Nelson: A dual-threat quarterback who split time early in the season, Nelson added 327 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Marquis Green: The team’s top receiver, Green recorded 45 receptions for 658 yards and five touchdowns during the season.
Jermaine Johnson: A key defensive player, Johnson recorded 87 total tackles and two interceptions, leading the secondary.
De’Andre Brown: A dynamic running back, Brown rushed for 721 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry.
Special teams: Kicker Jeremy Quinn made 7 of 11 field goal attempts, with a long of 47 yards, contributing crucial points in close games.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2009 Alabama State Hornets’ performance against key SWAC rivals and conference averages.

Team	Overall Record	SWAC Record	Points For	Points Against
Alabama State	7–4	6–3	278	212
Grambling State	7–4	6–3	234	189
Alabama A&M	7–4	6–3	218	198
Mississippi Valley State	5–6	4–4	201	267
SWAC Average	6.2–5.8	5.0–4.0	228	220

The Hornets ranked among the top teams in SWAC East Division competition, outscoring opponents by an average of 25.3 to 19.3 points per game. Their offense was more consistent than most conference teams, and their defense improved significantly compared to the 2008 season. However, close losses to rivals like Southern and Jackson State prevented a conference title berth.

Why It Matters

The 2009 season was a transitional year for Alabama State football, setting the stage for future leadership changes and program development. Though not a championship season, it provided valuable experience for younger players and marked the end of an era with Markham’s retirement.

Leadership transition: Markham’s departure opened the door for new coaching strategies and a restructured offensive approach in 2010.
Player development: Several underclassmen gained starting experience, including future SWAC all-conference performers.
Recruiting momentum: The team’s competitive performances helped boost recruiting efforts in Alabama and Mississippi.
Community engagement: Home games continued to strengthen ties between the university and Montgomery residents.
Historical context: The 2009 season was part of a broader effort to elevate Alabama State’s FCS competitiveness.
Program trajectory: The foundation laid in 2009 contributed to improved records in subsequent seasons under new leadership.

While the 2009 Alabama State football team did not reach the SWAC Championship Game, their performance reflected steady progress and set the tone for future growth within the program. Their balanced play and leadership development remain notable aspects of that season.