NORMAL, Ala. – David Kency Jr. rushed for a game-high 105 yards and scored on a 78-yard touchdown run, but Texas Southern fell to Alabama A&M 35-6 Saturday afternoon at Louis Crews Stadium.

Alabama A&M (8-3, 5-2 SWAC) scored touchdowns on its first two possessions and built a 28-0 halftime lead before adding another score early in the third quarter. Texas Southern (3-7, 2-5) broke through in the fourth quarter on Kency's first-career touchdown run at TSU.

The Bulldogs opened the scoring with a seven-play, 60-yard drive capped by Kolton Nero's four-yard touchdown run at the 11:22 mark of the first quarter. TSU was on the verge of answering on its ensuing drive but fumbled at the AAMU 19. The Bulldogs took advantage and extended their lead to 14-0 with 2:25 remaining when quarterback Cornelious Brown connected with Byron Perrilliat for a 45-yard touchdown pass.

Alabama A&M scored once again early in the second quarter as Brown scored on an 11-yard run to complete an eight-play, 68-yard drive. The Bulldogs added another touchdown with 28 seconds remaining before halftime when Brown found Jordan Chambers-Smith for a 13-yard scoring reception, giving the hosts a 28-0 advantage at the break as the final three TSU drives ended in a punt.

The Bulldogs received the second-half kickoff and marched 70 yards in seven plays, with Nero scoring on a 20-yard run at the 11:02 mark of the third quarter to extend the lead to 35-0.

Texas Southern finally broke through with 5:35 remaining in the fourth quarter. David Kency, Jr. broke free for a 78-yard touchdown run to cap a two-play, 79-yard possession that lasted just 40 seconds. The two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

Kency finished with 105 yards on five carries, averaging 21 yards per attempt. Athean Renfro Jr. added 30 yards on 10 carries, while Ri'Jon Hammond contributed 25 yards on three attempts. Even though Renfro didn't match his usual production, he officially eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the first in his career was becomes the first Tiger to do so since 2023.

Quarterback Cam'Ron McCoy completed 6-of 15-passes for 61 yards, while Jeremiah Harrell added eight passing yards. Roriyon Richardson led the receiving corps with two receptions for 46 yards, including a 31-yard catch.

Defensively, Donovan Jones led Texas Southern with 12 tackles, followed by Darius Sims with nine. Jordan Thompson and Knowledge Davis added seven tackles apiece.

Alabama A&M finished with 430 yards of total offense, including 229 rushing yards, compared to 251 total yards for Texas Southern. Brown completed 18 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns, while Nero rushed for 100 yards and two scores.

TSU returns to action next week for its 2026 season finale against UAPB inside Thorne Stadium at 2 p.m.