Late Score Prevents Tigers From Season-Opening Win At Prairie View A&M

Game Recap: Football | 3/7/2021 2:59:00 AM | TSU Sports Information

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – A late Prairie View A&M touchdown in the fourth quarter put a damper on a solid-around performance by the Texas Southern football team as they dropped their 2021 spring opener by a 20-19 margin Saturday night.

After forcing a punt on the opening drive, the TSU offense was on the verge of something to open the game but an interception at the PVAMU 46 ended the threat as the turnover turned into a 3-0 deficit on the next drive after a PVAMU field goal. Penalties would hut TSU on its next drive and Prairie View A&M received the ball back after a punt. A pair of big passes would hurt TSU on its next defensive possession as PVAMU jumped out to a 10-0 lead.

TSU’s Matthew Williams picked off a PVAMU pass early in the second quarter but TSU couldn’t capitalize as they punted to open the second quarter. The TSU defense once again began to establish itself as they forced a PVAMU punt which was shanked at the PVAMU 24. TSU would ultimately have to settle for a field goal attempt but it was blocked as they remained scoreless with 2:49 remaining.

PVAMU moved ahead 13-0 as they added another field goal late in the half. The TSU offense would come alive late in the quarter as Devin Williams combined to rush for eight yards to the PVAMU 47 followed by LaDarius Owens’ 22-yard run on a 3rd-and-2. TSU was forced to insert graduate transfer Thaddeus Peyton at quarterback in an instant and in a matter of seconds he completed two passes with the latter a touchdown to Jonathan Giles with one second left in the half. Richard Garcia III’s PAT was good as TSU trailed 13-7 at the half.

Both teams traded possessions to open the second half and the TSU offense was on the verge of something big on its second drive but a forced fumble by PVAMU at the PVAMU 5 put an end to potential big score by TSU. The defense returned the favor as linebacker Julian Marcantel forced a safety on its next drive and the offense turned to LaDarius Owens to make things happen as he overcame a big loss to rush for 56 yards to the PVAMU 7. Three plays later, Osby Mitchell gave TSU the lead after making a clutch touchdown reception in the back of the endzone.

Leading 16-13 after the PAT, the TSU defense kept its end of the bargain and set the offense up well after stopping PVAMU at the TSU 43 on fourth down. Owens once again made big plays to open the fourth quarter as TSU would settle for a field goal attempt. The first attempt was missed but a penalty gave Garcia III another chance and he came through for a 38-yarder as TSU led 19-13 early in the quarter.

Ja’Corey Benjamin helped stall another PVAMU drive as his interception gave TSU the ball back at the PVAMU 34. TSU was nearly midfield on its next drive but opted to punt the ball on 4th-and-2 as PVAMU started its next drive with 4:51 remaining. PVAMU would began to move the ball late as they got to the TSU 10. However, the defense came up big as Demontario Anderson stopped PVAMU quarterback Trazon Conley in the backfield followed by a huge sack by Viramontes Pippens for third and goal at the TSU 22. Unfortunately, PVAMU’s Chris Johnson caught an 18-yard pass and it was ruled first down at the PVAMU 4 after replay confirmed he didn’t step out of bounds before the first down marker. PVAMU rushed it in on the next play as the lead went back in their favor with 1:40 left.

The Tigers tried to force some late game magic as they marched to the their own 49 late but their final three offensive plays wene backwards as the last led to a fumble which PVAMU recovered.

Payton passed for 132 yards on 18-of-22 passing and two touchdowns in relief while Owens rushed for 109 yards on 16 attempts. Ke’Lenn Davis and Thurman Morbley led all receivers with four receptions each. Newcomer Tarik Cooper led the defense with seven tackles and two tackles for loss.

TSU is off next weekend and back in action Saturday, March 20 against Southern at BBVA Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.