Merriweather's three touchdowns power Troy past Alabama State 34-17

Troy defeated Alabama State 34-17 on Saturday behind Jaheim Merriweather’s 127 rushing yards and three touchdowns, improving to 2-0 while the Hornets fell to 2-1. The Trojans built a 31-7 halftime lead after Goose Crowder connected with TK Keyes for a 73-yard touchdown and Merriweather scored on runs of 69, 6 and 1 yards. Alabama State responded in the third quarter with Andrew Body’s 19-yard touchdown pass to John Austin and Andrew Abu-Akel’s 37-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 14 points. Ethan Head’s 47-yard field goal restored Troy’s three-possession advantage, and the Trojans’ defense stopped Alabama State on downs late in the game. Crowder passed for 201 yards, while Keyes caught five passes for 119 yards; Alabama State’s Jamarie Hostzclaw rushed for 80 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown run.