Harris runs for 3 TDs, leads Alabama State over Texas Southern 42-24

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- — Marcus Harris II had three touchdown runs to lead Alabama State to a 42-24 victory over Texas Southern on Saturday night. Harris' 13-yard touchdown run gave Alabama State (7-2, 5-1 Southwestern Conference) a 21-17 lead midway through the second quarter. He then scored on 3-yard runs to cap back-to-back drives to give the Hornets 35-24 lead with 10:46 remaining. Ta’Shaun Sims capped the scoring late in the fourth with a 75-yard touchdown return from a blocked field-goal attempt. Te’Sean Smoot threw an 87-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Jones on the Hornets' first play from scrimmage. Nehemiah Hixon had a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter. Smoot completed 9 of 13 passes for 215 yards. Jones finished with 148 yards receiving on three receptions. Harris had four carries for 21 yards rushing. KJ Cooper was 25-of-35 passing for 220 yards and threw a pair of touchdown passes for Texas Southern (4-5, 3-3). Athean Renfro had 18 carries for 145 yards that included a 3-yard touchdown run for the Tigers. -- Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football