TSU Football Drops Tough Contest In Overtime At Southern

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BATON ROUGE, La. – Texas Southern dominated every part of the stat sheet but fell short in the scoring column as a late rally by Southern moved the Jaguars past TSU 23-17 in overtime at A.W. Mumford Stadium.

Texas Southern claimed an early 3-0 lead after Gustavo Romero’s field goal with 11:29 in the second quarter but SU answered immediately as Kendric Rhymes broke free for a 69-yard touchdown run as the Jaguars claimed a 7-3 lead. Three drives later, the Tigers regained the lead after a balanced drive which culminated with Jacorey Howard’s 10-yard run to the endzone with 2:17 left. The Tiger defense forced a turnover on downs at the close of the half as they led 10-7.

TSU opened the second half with a bang as they forced and recovered a fumble at the SU 40 but the scoring drive came to an unfortunate end on an interception at the SU 6. The TSU defense forced another SU punt and the TSU offense once again had an opportunity to create separation but its latest drive stalled at the SU 2.

The Tigers defense continued to dominate the Jaguars entering the fourth quarter as the offense finally cashed in its latest opportunity as Jace Wilson scrambled in from 10 yards out as TSU moved ahead 17-7 after the PAT with 9:51 left.

JaCorey Benjamin made a huge interception on the ensuing drive to end SU’s latest threat as the fan base began to head toward the stands. However, TSU committed a costly fumble on its next drive as SU picked it up and scored as they trailed 17-14.

TSU couldn’t pick up the go-ahead first down to ice the game on its next possession which allowed SU to have another opportunity to score after receiving a punt. The TSU defense had SU on the ropes with a 4^th-and-6 but SU quarterback Harold Blood rushed for seven yards. SU hit on a 31-yard pass on the next play but the TSU defense forced two incomplete passes along with an SU personal foul. The Jaguars had to settle for a game-tying 54-yard field goal and they converted with eight seconds left.

In overtime, TSU missed a 46-yard field goal attempt and SU would close out the contest on a touchdown run.

TSU is back in action next Saturday at Jackson State for its road finale at 2 p.m.