MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Interstat) — In a game that lived up to its lopsided pregame projections, Alabama State methodically pulled away from Texas Southern for a 42-24 victory Saturday at ASU Football Stadium.

The Hornets, improving to 7-2 overall, used a dominant second-half performance to secure the win after the Tigers had seized early momentum. Texas Southern fell to 4-5.

The first half was a back-and-forth offensive showcase. Texas Southern struck first, marching down the field on its opening drive. The drive was powered almost exclusively by running back Athean Renfro, who capped the series with a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback KJ Cooper to cornerback Kordell Rodgers, a rare scoring connection.

Alabama State answered swiftly. On their first offensive play, quarterback Te’Sean Smoot found a wide-open Jalen Jones for an 87-yard touchdown strike, cutting the Texas Southern lead to 10-7.

The Tigers responded with another sustained drive, culminating in a 19-yard touchdown pass from Cooper to Trenton Leary. But the Hornets immediately retaliated on the ensuing kickoff, as Nehemiah Hixon fielded the ball at the 1-yard line and raced 99 yards for a touchdown, closing the first quarter with Texas Southern leading 24-14.

Renfro continued his impressive day early in the second quarter, plunging into the end zone from 3 yards out to extend the Tigers’ lead to 31-14. Renfro finished the game with 145 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.

Alabama State began its methodical comeback later in the quarter. A drive keyed by a 23-yard reception from Asa Gregg was finished by a 13-yard touchdown run from Marcus Harris II, sending the teams to halftime with Texas Southern holding a 31-21 advantage.

The second half belonged entirely to the Hornets. Their defense stiffened, and the offense found a consistent rhythm. On their first possession of the third quarter, Alabama State drove 81 yards, with Harris II scoring his second touchdown from 3 yards out to tie the game at 28.

Texas Southern’s offense, which moved effectively in the first half, was stymied after the break. A long, 16-play drive by the Tigers in the third quarter consumed over seven minutes of clock but ended with a missed 34-yard field goal attempt by Christian Avelar, preserving Alabama State’s lead.

The Hornets put the game away in the fourth quarter. Another methodical drive was capped by Harris II’s third rushing touchdown of the day, this time from 3 yards out, pushing the lead to 35-24. The Alabama State defense sealed the victory late when a blocked Texas Southern field goal was returned 75 yards for a touchdown by Ta’Shaun Sims, accounting for the final margin.

Statistically, Cooper had a solid day for Texas Southern, completing 25 of 35 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns, adding 37 yards on the ground. For Alabama State, Smoot was highly efficient, completing 9 of 13 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown. Jones was his primary weapon, hauling in three catches for 148 yards and a score. Hixon’s 125 kick return yards, including the pivotal 99-yard touchdown, were a major factor in the field position battle.

The result mirrored the projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a final score of Alabama State 42, Texas Southern 24. The Hornets were given a 93.90 percent probability to win by the same service’s ELO system.

Alabama State travels to face Mississippi Valley State next Saturday. Texas Southern will be on the road at Southern.