MONTGOMERY, Ala. – TSU dominated everywhere on the stat sheet but fell victim to the big play as Alabama State claimed a 42-24 win Saturday inside ASU Stadium.
TSU punted after its opening drive and ASU needed only one play to score as the receiver caught a long pass and raced the remainder of the way for an 87-yard score and a 7-0 lead after the PAT. TSU would shake off the early score and answer with a 50-yard Christian Avelar field goal on its ensuing drive.
TSU's defense would force a punt and the offense responded with a six-play, 63-yard drive which culminated with Kordell Rodgers' 12 -yard touchdown from KJ Cooper and a 10-7 TSU lead with 2:20 left in the first quarter. However, all momentum went out the door as ASU returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards to lead 14-10.
The Tigers answered once again with an eight-play, 85-yard drive to open the second quarter as Athean Renfro busted his way into the endzone for a 17-14 lead. But once again ASU responded with a 73-yard scoring drive to move ahead 21-17. TSU opened its next drive with a big 45-yard run from Renfro to move into ASU territory and eventually found its way into the endzone once again as Trenton Leary caught a slant from Cooper and raced 19 yards into the endzone for a 24-21 halftime lead.
The big play haunted TSU on ASU's opening drive of the second half as a 56-yard pass play set up a three-yard touchdown run and a 28-24 deficit. TSU would miss a 34-yard field goal late in the quarter to draw within one while ASU opened the fourth quarter with a scoring drive to lead 35-24. TSU had a long drive right after but the field goal attempt was blocked and returned for a score.
TSU dominated the game offensively with 472 total yards (255 R, 217 P) and 42 minutes of possession time. Cooper passed for 220 yards on 25-of-25 passing while Renfro rushed for 145 yards on 18 carries. Isaiah Bogerty had five tackles to lead TSU.
TSU is back in action Saturday at Southern for a 2 p.m. kickoff.
