MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- There were few people in the stadium that gave Miles much of a chance Saturday against Division I Alabama State. The 37-9 final score was reflective of the divide between the two team as the Hornets (3-0) continued to put points on the board at a swift clip (34 points per game) while Miles (0-3) struggled to slow the high-octane offense in the opening half.

But things started to change in the second half. It was a feeling felt in the stands, on the sidelines, and ultimately, on the scoreboard.

For the second straight year, Miles did not allow a second half touchdown to ASU and were only outgained by six yards (132-126) over the final 30 minutes. In fact, the Golden Bears came out of halftime and immediately set the tone on offense with a big 75-yard drive to open the third quarter.

Quarterback Brinley Vandiver (18-of-29, 163 yards) - making his first career start for the Golden Bears - was decisive on his throws, going 4-for-5 with throws in some tight windows to complete passes to Quindavious Swain, Jacob Andrews, Glen Williams, and Roderick Thomas to get the ball to the ASU 11. After a seven-yard run by Edward Osley, Thomas (16 carries, 55 yards) used two tries to bang the ball across the goalline. The last was a 2-yard burst behind a reconditioned offensive line that gave Miles some life in a 31-9 game.

Although the Hornets made two field goals in the fourth quarter, the defense finally started to play with some fire. It forced a turnover on downs when Christian Kelly stuffed a fourth-down run by ASU quarterback Andrew Body. In the fourth quarter, it was Carson Pritchett (five tackles, two tackles for loss, one pass breakup) and Robert Williams getting a big third down stop to force one field goal before Brandon Parnell got a big pass breakup on another third down attempt to force the second three-pointer by ASU.

The Golden Bears are home next week for their home opener when they host Savannah State in the Prince Hall Americanism Football Classic. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.