NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Draylen Ellis threw three touchdown passes in the second quarter and Tennessee State went on to defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 41-28 on Saturday night.

A short touchdown run by Jalen Rouse gave the Tigers (2-1) a 10-7 lead in the first quarter then Ellis added on to it with passes of 22 yards to Karate Brenson, 12 yards to Jordan Gant and 4 yards to Jalal Dean for a 31-14 halftime lead.

The lead reached 38-14 when CJ Evans scored on a 38-yard run in the third quarter.

UAPB (1-2) kept the score close thanks to three touchdown passes by Mekhi Hagens.

Ellis completed 20 of 33 passes for 228 yards for the Tigers. Evans and Jaden McGill had 63 yards each on the ground and the Tigers totaled 424 yards on offense.

Hagens was 15-of-31 passing for 276 yards. JaVonnie Gibson caught five passes for 149 yards with one touchdown.

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