Texas Southern Tigers drop hard fought game to Southern Jaguars, 33-7

Photo by Houston Sports Images

Kristina McKay and Tommy Boatman

Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved 
Used with permission.

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 11, 2017) The Texas Southern Tigers, despite putting up a valiant effort, could not contain the offensive strength of the Southern Jaguars; dropping a 33-7 decision in SWAC football action. The 6,000-plus fans at Houston's BBVA Compass Stadium witnessed the Jaguars push their season record to 7-3 (5-1 in conference action), while the Tigers fell to 1-8 (1-4 in conference). Southern holds on to a solid second place standing in the Western Division of the SWAC; behind No. 11 Grambling State. 

It took almost the entire first quarter before either team found the end zone. The Jaguars did it first, on a Herb Edwards 71-yard run with 56 seconds left in the quarter. The score capped a three-play, 90-yard drive that lasted only 57 seconds. They added two Cesar Barajas field goals; both late in the second quarter, of 30 and 18 yards to close out the first half with Southern leading 13-0.

Photo by Houston Sports Images

Kristina McKay and Tommy Boatman

Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved 
Used with permission.

Southern came right out in the second half and picked up where they left off; scoring another touchdown after 3:29 of play. Quarterback Austin Howard found tight end Dennis Craig open, and hit him with a 10-yard pass for the score. It took the Jaguars 10 plays to  over the 75 yards to the end zone. They added an insurance touchdown when Demerio Houston returned a Donald Halsltead  TSU punt 74 yards for the score with two minutes left in the third quarter.

The Texas Southern Tigers scored 40 seconds into the fourth quarter to avert a shutout, when Elijah Odom rushed the final 11 yards of their 67-yard drive for their only touchdown of the game. Southern responded with another touchdown when freshman red shirt wide receiver Christopher Chaney, who was not listed on the depth chart, scored from two yards out.  Odem rushed for 118 yards on 23 carries and completed three passes for 50 yards.

Next up for Texas Southern is a Saturday, November 18 road trip to play Arkansas-Pine Bluff.