LORMAN – Alcorn State kept finding new and inventive ways to stay in the game against Alabama State on Saturday.

A fumble return for a touchdown here. A blocked field goal or a long punt return there. Maybe even a defensive stop or tap-dancing touchdown catch for good measure.

In the end, though, Alabama State showed that the good old-fashioned smashmouth method still works best.

Jay Peck rushed for 196 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries, and the Hornets scored two special teams touchdowns to hold off a pesky Alcorn State squad for a 33-28 win.

Vernardus Cooper ran for 115 yards and a touchdown for Alcorn (0-3, 0-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference), which fell behind by two touchdowns in the second quarter and never could catch up.

&#8220We’re not playing very well and I can’t figure out why. Especially from the players that usually do very well,” Alcorn coach Dr. Johnny Thomas said. &#8220We’re practicing hard, we’re working hard. We had to make some adjustments to the offensive line, but that’s not a factor.”

The game was a wild, wacky affair that neither team seemed to want to win.

Alabama State (2-2, 2-1) took a 26-14 lead when Desmond Foster returned the second-half kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. It was the Hornets’ second special-teams touchdown of the game – Chris Dupuy returned a fumbled kickoff 10 yards for a score in the second quarter – and also part of a mixed special teams bag for both squads.

While Alcorn allowed the two touchdowns, Alabama State missed an extra point, had one field goal blocked and missed another, and allowed two long punt returns by Nate Hughes that gave the Braves excellent field position.

&#8220I really felt like we didn’t come to play. We kept trying to give it to them, and they didn’t want to take it early on,” Alabama State coach Charlie Coe said.

A 21-yard punt return by Hughes led to a 10-yard TD run by Michael Shepherd with 8:22 left in the third quarter, and cut it to 26-21. Alabama State answered with a 10-play drive capped by a 23-yard touchdown pass from Engram to Brandon Horace to push the lead back to 12 points, but two more special teams gaffes gave the Braves some life.

Early in the fourth quarter, Alabama State drove to the Alcorn 27 before stalling. Anthony Johnson’s 44-yard field goal attempt was blocked, and Alcorn’s Deshaun Lewis tracked it down at his own 5.

Lewis then weaved through the defense for a 71-yard return, giving the Braves the ball at the Hornet 24. Three plays later, Tony Hobson lobbed a 27-yard touchdown pass to Mareese Rose to bring the Braves to within 33-28.

Alcorn’s defense forced Alabama State into a three-and-out, and Hughes put the Braves in good shape again with a 48-yard return to the State 27. This time, however, there was nothing but heartache for Alcorn.

After a penalty gave Alcorn a first down at the Alabama State 21, Hobson threw incomplete passes on three of the next four plays to turn the ball over on downs. Alabama State drove to the Alcorn 5 on the ensuing possession before missing a field goal, but Hobson threw an interception on Alcorn’s final drive to end it.