Football Displays Strong Defensive Performance Despite Loss At Cal

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BERKELEY, Calif. – It was a tale of two halves as the Texas Southern Tigers put forth a valiant effort despite a 35-3 loss at Cal on Saturday.

A big punt return by Cal before its second drive led to a 44-yard field goal for an early 3-0 lead. The score would remain the same for most of the half thanks to strong defensive play by TSU as they forced a Cal fumble in the first quarter, a turnover on downs, and an Edric Whitley interception midway through the second quarter.

Cal would score with 1:19 left in the half and record a two-point conversion to lead 11-0, but Kerien Charlo returned the kickoff 46 yards to give the offense a chance at scoring late in the half. The Tigers would claw their way to the Cal 22 with 21 seconds left, but turned the ball over with an interception as Cal led 11-0 entering halftime.

TSU contemplated going for 4^th-and-1 to open the second half but opted to punt deep in its own territory. The Golden Bears would move ahead 18-0 after scoring on their initial drive. TSU would break the shutout with a fourth-quarter field goal from Christian Avelar, but Cal would manage to score on every possession of the second half to pull away.

TSU finished with 140 yards of offense while KJ Cooper passed for 137 yards and rushed for 30. Jalen Williams caught six passes for 42 yards while Isaiah Bogerty led the way with 10 tackles. Jason Patterson led the way for TSU on the defensive line with two tackles for loss.

TSU is back in action next Saturday at home against Lamat at 6 p.m. inside Shell Energy Stadium.