From bamastatesports :
HOUSTON, Texas | Alabama State held off a furious Texas Southern second half rally to come away with their second consecutive road victory in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play, defeating the Tigers 27-21 at BBVA Stadium Saturday.
Alabama State (5-4, 4-2 SWAC) scored all 27 of their points in the first half and were able to overcome four turnovers to hold off Texas Southern (0-10, 0-6 SWAC). Ezra Gray led Alabama State with 154 yards on 24 carries, leading the Hornets’ offensive attack that produced 403 total yards. Meanwhile, Michael Jefferson finished the day with five receptions, three for touchdowns to lead the Hornets.
The Hornets scored on their first possession when KHA’Darris Davis hit Jefferson streaking down the middle of the field for a 53-yard touchdown pass with 12:10 remaining in the opening quarter. After being stopped on their second drive of the contest, Alabama State used a three-yard run by Jacory Merritt for a 14-0 first quarter lead.
After a Texas Southern touchdown trimmed the lead to 14-7, Alabama State used another Davis to Jefferson touchdown – this one from eight yards – to push the lead to 21-7. They would score their final points of the first half, and the game, when Davis hit Jefferson from six yards away for a 27-7 lead.
Texas Southern used a pair of touchdowns runs to get back into the game, the first a 15-yard run by DeAndre Johnson to trim the lead to 27-14. They trimmed it to a one-score game when Dominic Franklin broke up the middle for 34-yard run to pull within six at 27-21.
However, Alabama State used a pair of sacks late in the game to take Texas Southern out of field goal range and was able to run out the clock for the win.
Davis finished the day 14-for-26 for 226 yards; while defensively Irshaad Davis and Keenan Isaac each finished with nine tackles. Colton Adams added seven, with a host of players ended the day with six. Meanwhile, the Hornets finished with 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss on the day, with Davis and Adams each recording a pair of sacks each in the win.
Alabama State returns to action next weekend on the road against Florida State, with kick scheduled for 11 am (cst). The game will be carried by the Hornet Sports Network, with pregame at 10:30 am.
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