BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Kareem Keye threw two touchdown passes, Daquon Kincey ran for 156 yards, and Alabama State held off Alabama A&M 27-19 on Saturday in the 83rd annual Magic City Classic.
Keye hit Asa Gregg with a 31-yard touchdown pass early in the game and added a 6-yard scoring toss to Derick Harden to lead the Hornets to a 17-3 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, the Hornets added Brandon Gilliams' second field goal and a long pick-6 by Ta'Shaun Sims for a 27-3 lead heading to the fourth.
Alabama A&M closed the gap on touchdown passes of 65 and 31 yards from Xavier Lankford to Keenan Hambrick. The Bulldogs added a two-point conversion after each score and trailed 27-19 with 5 minutes remaining. Lankford was intercepted on AAMU's only remaining possession.
Keye completed 14 of 20 passes for 131 yards.
Lankford completed 13 of 26 passes for 207 yards with two TDs and two picks. Hambrick caught 5 for 139 yards and both of Lankford's touchdowns.