NORMAL, Ala. — Tennessee State answered an early 14-point deficit with a 58-yard scoring drive, but Alabama A&M pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 30-3 victory Saturday night in the Legacy Series at Louis Crews Stadium.
Tennessee State dropped to 0-3, while Alabama A&M improved to 2-1.
Daylin Lee completed 19 of 41 passes for 187 yards. Brenton Paul led the Tigers' rushing attack with 40 yards on 12 carries, while Zack Simmons-Brown added 19 yards on nine attempts.
Cam Bulluck led Tennessee State's receivers with four catches for 50 yards. Jayden Guy added four receptions for 44 yards, and Daion Gaston caught three passes for 31 yards. Gaston finished with 128 all-purpose yards, including 97 on kickoff returns.
Bryce Gray led the Tennessee State defense with nine tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Kaiki Baker and Jaylon Price recorded seven tackles apiece. Joshua Reese added three tackles and intercepted a pass in the third quarter.
Sammy Taylor and Khy'lek Jarrett also recorded sacks as Tennessee State finished with three sacks and six tackles for loss. The Tigers limited Alabama A&M to 126 rushing yards and did not allow a rushing touchdown.
Alabama A&M finished with 452 yards of offense, including 326 through the air. Cornelious Brown completed 24 of 38 passes for 326 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Jarel Williams caught eight passes for 175 yards and one touchdown.
Tennessee State remains on the road next Saturday against Florida A&M. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.
How It Happened
Alabama A&M opened the scoring when Brown connected with Williams for a 61-yard touchdown with 8:36 remaining in the first quarter. Brown added a 30-yard touchdown pass to Donovan Price to extend the lead to 14-0.
Tennessee State responded with an eight-play, 58-yard drive that began late in the first quarter. Preston Hurless completed the possession with a 37-yard field goal with 13:34 left in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 14-3.
David Faulk made field goals from 35 and 28 yards later in the second quarter to give Alabama A&M a 20-3 halftime lead.
Tennessee State kept the Bulldogs scoreless in the third quarter. Reese intercepted Brown, and the Tigers followed with a nine-play, 52-yard drive that reached the Alabama A&M 23 before ending on downs.
Brown connected with Jaylan Bean for an 11-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Faulk closed the scoring with a 22-yard field goal with 5:19 remaining.
Game Notes
» Tennessee State continues to lead the all-time series 21-10.
» Alabama A&M outgained Tennessee State 452-251.
» Tennessee State recorded 17 first downs, compared with 20 for Alabama A&M.
» The Tigers limited Alabama A&M to 126 rushing yards and no rushing touchdowns.
» Tennessee State finished with three sacks and six tackles for loss.
» Tennessee State converted 3 of 14 third downs and 2 of 5 fourth downs.
» Bryce Gray led the Tigers with nine tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
» Joshua Reese recorded Tennessee State's first interception of the season.
» Preston Hurless made a 37-yard field goal to complete an eight-play, 58-yard drive.
» Daion Gaston finished with 128 all-purpose yards.
» Cornelious Brown completed 24 of 38 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns.
» Jarel Williams caught eight passes for 175 yards and one touchdown.
