Panthers Use Big Plays To Hold Off TSU In Labor Day Classic

Game Recap: Football | 9/5/2021 12:04:00 AM

HOUSTON – A 27-point surge between the first and third quarter was the difference as Texas Southern couldn’t climb out of the early hole in a 40-17 loss in the 36th Labor Day Classic before a crowd of 18,297 at BBVA Stadium.

TSU would go three and out on its opening drive but came up with a big defensive play as Julian Marcantel recovered an early fumble at the PVAMU 5. The Tigers would settle for a field goal from Richard Garcia as they led 3-0 with 12:59 left.

In what would be a recurring theme most of the game, Prairie View would keep its next drive alive with a pair of third down conversions but Marcantel once again stepped in with an interception at the TSU 33. TSU was forced to punt and PVAMU struck big on its next drive as Jawon Pass found Jailon Howard for a 53-yard strike with 6:12 left in the first quarter. The PAT was blocked as PVAMU led 6-3.

TSU had another promising offensive drive end tragically as they fumbled right outside the redzone on its next possession. PVAMU would convert a 4th-and-5 and a 3rd-and-4 to keep the next drive alive as they would score again to up its lead to 13-3 early in the second quarter after the PAT.

After a TSU three-and-out, the defense forced a PVAMU fumble but couldn’t capitalize offensively. PVAMU’s next touchdown was set up on a 4th-and-1 conversion to keep the drive alive as Pass found Antonio Mullins for a score and a 20-3 lead after the PAT. TSU had one final drive in the first half but was forced to punt as PVAMU led 20-3 at the half.

Prairie View A&M scored on the first offensive play of the third quarter as Pass found Howard for a 72-yard strike and a 27-3 lead following the PAT. The Tiger offense would find the endzone on its next drive as they capped off an impressive 12-play, 75-yard drive led by Jalen Brown’s 2-yard pass to Jyrin Johnson.

TSU couldn’t get the ball back fast enough as the Panthers would milk nine minutes off the clock on its next drive which saw them convert three third down plays. The Panthers settled for a field goal to lead 30-10.

Early in the final quarter, TSU’s offense moved the ball once again and came within 30-17 as LaDarius Owens scored from 15 yards. However, PVAMU took six minutes off the clock on its next drive and marched 72 yards in 12 plays as they led 30-17 after a 31-yard field goal with 12:11 left. TSU would fumble a punt attempt in the endzone and PVAMU recovered on the 1 before punching it in for the final score of the night.

Brown passed for 181 yards on 20-of-41 passing while Owens rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown. Ke’Lenn Davis led TSU with seven receptions for 79 yards. Tim Walton, Jr. led TSU defensively with six tackles and a half-sack.

TSU is back in action next Saturday at Baylor for a 6 p.m. kickoff.a