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HBCU Football: Southern vs. TXSO, another OT SWAC banger

HBCU Football: Southern vs. TXSO, another OT SWAC banger

Courtesy of Texas Southern Athletics

For the second straight year in the SWAC, Texas Southern and Southern went to overtime and SU prevailed with a field goal to secure an emotional 22-19 HBCU football victory Saturday night at Shell Energy Stadium.

The game belonged to the defenses early on as Texas Southern’s defense struck first when MJ Hinson picked off the SU quarterback in the second quarter and ran in from 18 yards out to take a 7-0 lead after Christian Avelar’s PAT.

Late in the second quarter, TSU’s Javius ​​Williams sacked and stripped the SU quarterback, and defensive end Michael Akins pounced to recover the ball at the SU 28. One play later, Trenton Leary rushed in from 28 yards out to give TSU a 14-0 lead entering the half PAT.

SU had some offensive success early in the second half with back-to-back field goals and a 14-6 deficit. On SU’s third offensive drive, the Tigers were close to leaving the field at their own 39, but TSU was whistled for roughing the kicker, extending the drive. SU would eventually score, but missed the conversion into two points as they trailed 14-12 early in the final quarter.

Texas Southern added a 38-yard field goal from Avelar midway through the fourth quarter to take a 17-12 lead. Both teams then traded punts, but the TSU defense came up with a potentially game-winning play when Damarcus Thompson forced SU’s Noah Bodden into an intentional grounding and safety in the end zone with 1:26 left.

With a 19-12 lead, TSU failed to get the game-winning first down and was forced to punt, but ended up thwarting the drive, giving SU possession of the ball with 18 seconds left on TSU’s 16th play. SU scored on the opening play with a pass and converted the PAT to force overtime.

Texas Southern missed a field goal attempt on its first drive of overtime and SU converted its field goal attempt for the SWAC win.

TSU finished the HBCU football contest with 239 total yards of offense while Jace Wilson passed for 90 yards. Athean Renfro rushed for 49 yards while Leary caught seven passes for 59 yards. Umar Yaro had 11 tackles and one tackle for loss while breaking up a pass.