What Is 2018 Alabama State football team

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 Alabama State football team represented Alabama State University in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 5–6 record under head coach Donald Hill-Eley. They competed in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and played home games at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.

Key Facts

The 2018 Alabama State team had a 5–6 overall record
They played in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)
Head coach Donald Hill-Eley led the team in his second season
Home games were held at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery
Alabama State finished with a 4–4 conference record

Overview

The 2018 Alabama State football team represented Alabama State University during the 2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), the Hornets were led by head coach Donald Hill-Eley in his second year at the helm. The team played its home games at the historic Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama, a venue with deep ties to HBCU football.

Despite showing moments of competitiveness, the 2018 season ended with a losing record. The Hornets finished the year with a 5–6 overall record and a 4–4 mark in SWAC play. While they did not qualify for the FCS playoffs or a postseason bowl, the season provided developmental experience for younger players and laid groundwork for future improvement.

Overall record: The team finished with a 5–6 win-loss tally, falling just short of a .500 season.
Conference performance: In SWAC play, Alabama State went 4–4, splitting their games evenly within the league.
Head coach: Donald Hill-Eley was in his second season, continuing efforts to rebuild the program after previous struggles.
Home stadium: The Hornets played at Cramton Bowl, a 25,000-seat facility that has hosted the SWAC Championship Game in past years.
Non-conference schedule: Early-season games included matchups against FBS opponents, testing the team against higher-level competition.

Season Structure and Performance

The 2018 season followed the standard NCAA Division I FCS format, with a 12-game regular season schedule split between non-conference and conference opponents. Alabama State faced a mix of FBS and FCS teams, aiming to improve on their 2017 campaign which also ended with a losing record.

Opening game: The Hornets opened the season on September 1, 2018, with a loss to Georgia Southern, an FBS team.
First win: Alabama State earned its first victory on September 15 with a 24–10 win over Tuskegee in the Turkey Day Classic.
SWAC competition: The team split games against East and West Division rivals, including wins over Mississippi Valley State and Jackson State.
Defensive struggles: The Hornets allowed an average of 28.5 points per game, indicating ongoing challenges on that side of the ball.
Offensive output: Alabama State averaged 23.1 points per game, showing modest improvement from the previous season.
Season finale: The year concluded on November 24 with a 28–21 loss to Alabama A&M, eliminating playoff hopes.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2018 Alabama State team compared to key SWAC peers in overall and conference performance:

Team	Overall Record	SWAC Record	Postseason	Head Coach
Alabama State	5–6	4–4	None	Donald Hill-Eley
Alcorn State	5–6	5–3	None	Fred McNair
Grambling State	6–5	5–3	None	Broderick Fobbs
Alabama A&M	7–4	6–2	None	Connie Clark
Florida A&M	9–2	7–1	CEOH Bowl	Willie Simmons

Alabama State’s performance placed them in the middle tier of the SWAC in 2018. While they matched Alcorn State in overall record, they lagged behind division leaders like Alabama A&M and Florida A&M. The lack of a postseason appearance highlighted the gap between competitive seasons and true contention in the conference.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season was a transitional year for Alabama State football, reflecting ongoing efforts to stabilize and improve the program. Though not a championship-caliber season, it contributed to long-term roster development and coaching continuity under Hill-Eley.

Player development: Young quarterbacks and defensive backs gained valuable experience that would benefit future seasons.
Recruiting momentum: Competitive SWAC games helped maintain visibility for recruiting across Alabama and the Southeast.
Stadium tradition: Playing at Cramton Bowl preserved ties to HBCU football heritage and community engagement.
Conference parity: The close margins in SWAC games underscored the league’s competitive balance.
Coaching evaluation: The season provided data for assessing Hill-Eley’s long-term fit as head coach.
Fan engagement: Events like the Turkey Day Classic kept alumni and local fans connected to the program.

While the 2018 campaign did not yield major accolades, it served as a necessary step in the broader rebuilding process for Alabama State football. The season’s challenges and modest successes together informed future strategic decisions both on and off the field.