Tigers Roll To 59-17 Win Over Arkansas-Pine Bluff

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Texas Southern scored its most points in SWAC play since 2015 as the Tigers defeated Arkansas-Pine Buff 59-17 Saturday inside PNC Stadium.

UAPB scored on its first possession as Skyler Perry set the score up with a 55-yard reception to Keyvien Johnson to the TSU 9. The TSU defense held ground as they would only allow a field goal as UAPB led 3-0.

TSU punted on its first drive and UAPB continued to move the ball offensively but the defense came up big as Derrick Tucker forced and recovered a fumble at the TSU 33. The TSU offense would respond after the big play as they marched 67 yards in 11 plays as Andrew Body found Jonathan Giles for a 12-yard touchdown and 7-3 lead after Richard Garcia III’s PAT.

The TSU defense came up big with a sack and forced a UAPB punt on the ensuing drive and the offense needed no time to respond as Body found Jyrin Johnson for a 48-yard scoring strike and a 14-3 lead after the PAT. UAPB would march to the TSU 19 to open the second quarter on its next drive but its field goal attempt was blocked by Josh Murray. Both teams would trade punts after the blocked field goal but TSU would respond on its next drive as Body found Ke’Lenn Davis on a 6-yard touchdown reception to cap off a six-play, 53-yard drive as TSU led 21-3 with 7:07 remaining.

Once again, the Tigers defense forced another punt and the offense rewarded them for their efforts as they relied on the run to set up Body’s third touchdown pass of the afternoon. Body found Giles for his second touchdown pass of the game as TSU upped the lead to 28-3 at halftime.

The Tigers opened the second half with a 30-yard field goal from Garcia III which was set up by Body’s 42-yard pass to Jyrin Johnson. UAPB found its way back to the scoreboard on its opening drive in the second half as Kayvon Britten rushed in from two yards out to cut the margin to 31-10 after the PAT. Texas Southern would respond after the score as Body completed a 20-yard pass to Savion Sims while also rushing for 46 yards with his final rush a nine-yard touchdown run as the lead grew to 38-10.

UAPB scored another touchdown to draw within 38-17 entering the fourth quarter but TSU once again kept its foot on the gas as Davis caught 23 and 17-yard pass receptions from Body to move into UAPB territory. Tavaris Achane caught a 19-yard pass to move to the UAPB 11 followed by C’ing Blanton’s 10-yard pass from Body to the UAPB 1. JaCorey Howard rushed in from the 1 as TSU led 45-17 after the PAT.

UAPB punted again and quarterback Jalen Brown got in on the act as he found Derek Morton for a picture-perfect 21-yard touchdown pass and a 52-17 lead. TSU’s Tarik Cooper ended UAPB’s next drive with an interception and Blanton capped off the scoring with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Brown for TSU’s final score of the night.

TSU finished the afternoon with 587 total offensive yards while allowing 383. Body was a dual-threat as he rushed for 121 yards and one touchdown while passing for 271 yards and four touchdowns. Davis led the air attack with five receptions while Johnson finished with 90 yards. Cooper was TSU’s top defender with seven tackles and an interception while Michael Badejo had two sacks and three tackles for loss.

TSU is back in action next Saturday at Jackson State. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.