Jaheim Merriweather runs for 3 touchdowns and Troy defeats Alabama State 34-17

TROY, Ala. -- , Jaheim Merriweather ran for 127 yards and scored three times, leading Troy to a 34-17 victory over Alabama State on Saturday. Troy gained 314 yards on offense in the first half and led 31-7 at the break. A 73-yard pass play from Goose Crowder to TK Keyes opened the scoring and Merriweather had touchdown runs of 69 , 6 and 1 yard. After scoring on five of six possessions in the first half, the Trojans managed just three points after halftime. The Hornets rallied in the third quarter with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Body to John Austin and a 37-yard field goal by Andrew Abu-Akel , making the score 31-17. Both scoring drives started on the Troy side of the 50-yard line. Ethan Head 's 47-yard field goal made it 34-17 and Alabama State was stopped on downs at the Troy 32-yard line on the Hornets' only sustained drive through the remainder of the game.