MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State and Texas Southern were in a slugfest through the first 44 minutes until a blocked punt swung momentum toward the Hornets as they stayed undefeated at home with a 24-21 victory over Texas Southern in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) action Saturday afternoon.

Alabama State (4-6, 3-5 SWAC) and Texas Southern were tied at the half, 7-all, before Hunter Hanson (Montgomery, Ala.) knocked a season-long 47-yard field goal to push Alabama State to a 10-7 lead with 9:04 remaining in the third quarter. The game stayed that way until Texas Southern came right back with a one yard run to take a 14-10 lead.

Texas Southern did not hold the lead very long as Brandon McDuffie (San Antonio, Texas) broke through the line and blocked a punt that was picked up in mid-air by Robert Rivers (Ocala, Fla.) who returned it for a touchdown to give Alabama State a 17-14 lead with just four seconds left in the third quarter.

The Tigers were able to come right back just 53 seconds later to take a 21-17 lead, but again Alabama State was able to get back on top with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Joe Owens, Jr. (Piedmont, S.C.) to Wallace Corker (Stockbridge, Ga.) with 6:51 to play. Alabama State stopped Texas Southern on a fake punt opportunity, and then the Tigers missed a field goal with a chance to tie it for the final margin.

Jacory Merritt (Montgomery, Ala.) finished the day with a career-high 106 yards on 14 carries, while Ezra Gray (Lynn Haven, Fla.) added 66 on 12 carries. Owens, in his first career start, finished the day 18-for-27 with a pair of touchdowns and 150 yards. He connected with seven different receivers on the day including Corker who finished with 35 yards on five receptions.

Nicholas Terry (Youngstown, Ohio) led Alabama State with eight tackles, while Christian Clark (Cleveland, Ohio) finished with seven. The Hornets finished the day with 363 yards of total offense, including 213 on the ground in the win.

Alabama State returns to action on Thanksgiving Day against Tuskegee at ASU Stadium. Kick is scheduled for 2 pm and the game will be carried on ESPN+.

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