Texas Southern Loss Inaugural Home Opener 45-35

HOUSTON - The Texas Southern Tigers couldn't pull out a nail-biter in their inaugural home opener against Jackson State, dropping a 45-35 decision in their new home BBVA Compass stadium.
 
Sophomore quarterback Rudy Johnson, in his first collegiate start, threw three touchdown passes, including a 53-yard strike to tight end Tory Allen-Ford in the first quarter. Johnson also had a 21-yard touchdown run.
 
Head coach Darrell Asberry was impressed with Johnson, who was pressed into duty because of injuries to seniors Riko Smalls and Dantavious Parker.
 
“Rudy took some good growing pains,” Asberry said. “I'm very pleased to see that he can move with his football team.”
 
Junior running back Edward Perkins-Loving had another strong game, rushing for 81 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Junior wide receiver Fred Plummer and senior wide receiver Harry Brown each had one touchdown reception.
 
On the defensive side, senior linebacker William Parker and senior cornerback Derricus Purdy led the team in tackles with 11 and seven, respectively.
 
Senior kicker/punter Robert Hersh had a solid outing, averaging 42.8 yards on six punts and going a perfect 5-for-5 on extra-point attempts.
 
Texas Southern fell to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play. Jackson State improved to 1-2 and 1-0 in the SWAC.
 
Texas Southern will return to BBVA Compass Stadium for its next game, against  Alabama A&M at 11 a.m. Saturday.