TROY, Ala. – Jaheim Merriweather rushed for three touchdowns, and Troy racked up 427 yards of total offense as the Trojans defeated Alabama State, 34-17, at The Vet on Saturday afternoon. The win propelled Troy to its first 2-0 start since 2013. 

Merriweather accounted for 127 of Troy’s 226 yards on the ground, including a 69-yard rushing touchdown that put the Trojans ahead for good midway through the first quarter.

Troy (2-0) continued to be perfect inside the red zone, scoring on all three opportunities. The Trojans are 6-for-6 inside the 20-yard line to begin the season.

T.K. Keyes hauled in five catches for 127 yards, while Goose Crowder continued his clean start to the season by throwing for 201 yards with no interceptions.

Alabama State (2-1) was led by 80 rushing yards from Jamarie Hostzclaw, while quarterback Andrew Body was limited by the Troy defense, throwing for 105 yards and getting sacked three times. 

Keno Jones and T.J. Thompson led the Trojans with six tackles apiece; Jones added 1.5 sacks and forced fumble. Troy snapped Alabama State’s streak of scoring at least 30 points at 15 straight games. 

Troy struck first on the opening drive of the game, taking just three plays to find the end zone. Keyes caught a pass over the middle and broke two tackles for a 73-yard score, his second touchdown in as many weeks.

Alabama State responded on its opening drive as its six-play series ended with a 50-yard touchdown rush from Hostzclaw. 

After the two teams traded punts, Troy got the ball back and wasted no time taking the lead. On the first play of the drive, Merriweather bounced a run outside, tiptoeing down the sideline past a swarm of Hornets all the way to the end zone to give the Trojans a 14-7 edge.

The Troy defense then forced a quick Alabama State three-and-out, and Ethan Head extended the lead to 17-7 with a 24-yard field goal after the Trojans’ six-minute, 12-play drive stalled at the goal line.

Merriweather found the end zone on Troy’s final two drives of the half. The third-year back rushed for six-and one-yard touchdowns for his second and third scores of the game. 

His third score came following a Donnie Smith strip sack that set the Trojan offense up at the Alabama State 42-yard line. Troy took a 31-7 lead into the half.

Alabama State cut into the lead on its second drive coming out of the locker room. After Troy turned the ball over on downs in its own territory, the Hornets took just two plays for Body to find John Austin for a 19-yard touchdown.

On the ensuing Troy possession, the Trojans turned the ball over on downs again following a failed fake punt attempt on their own 30-yard line. However, the Troy defense stood tall, and the Hornets settled for a 37-yard field goal from Andrew Abu-Akel.

With a 31-17 lead, Troy attempted to convert on fourth down for a third consecutive possession, this time from the ASU 41-yard line. The Trojans would pick up the yardage, as Crowder connected with Jywon Boyd for a 12-yard snag. Troy finished the day 3-for-5 on fourth-down conversion attempts.

The completion allowed Troy to enter field goal range, and Ethan Head made the score 34-17 Troy midway through the third quarter with a 47-yard field goal.

The Hornets failed to convert on its own fourth down attempt on the following possession, and Troy took a 34-17 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Trojan defense did not allow a point in the final 15 minutes, forcing two punts and a turnover on downs to preserve the victory.

The Trojans now prepare to travel to Colombia, Missouri to take on the Tigers on Saturday, Sep. 19 at 6 p.m.

Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Executive Associate Director of Athletics / Communications, Branding & Creative Content Adam Prendergast. Video was provided by Hunter Boozer.