(Houston, TX) -- Playing in their re-scheduled game, the ASU Hornets (3-2, 1-1) kept themselves in the eastern division title race with a close 27-24 win at Texas Southern (2-4, 1-2). Alabama State held a 17-3 lead at the half after QB Darnell Kennedy engineered two long drives (70 yds +) and tossed a pair of TD passes to Kennard Williams (9 yds) and Chris Coleman (4 yds).
Texas Southern stormed back with 3rd quarter TDs runs from Adam Lamb (11:16) and Jermaine Joseph (6:51) to tie the score at 17-17. ASU outscored their hosts 10-7 in the fourth quarter, clinching the game on a second Darnell Kennedy to Kennard Williams TD pass with 7:17 remaining.
Offensively, ASU quarterback Darnell Kennedy passed for 352 yds and 3 TDs (31-15-1), RB Larry Bias rushed for 150 yds on 19 carries and WR Floyd Tiger had five receptions for 143 yds. For Texas Southern, QB Adam Lamb passes for 280 yds (40-24-0) and 1 TD, with WR Hankton Cortez snaring 8 passes for 130 yds.
The top defensive performer for the Tigers was Olive Celestine, who is credited with 11 tackles (3 solo). JeShawn Gillium was the top stopper for the Hornets with 9 tackles (5 solo) and 2 TFL (4).
The Tigers return to action, 7:05 p.m., Saturday, October 20 against Mississippi Valley State in Itta Bena, MS.
