LORMAN, Miss.- The Texas Southern Tigers football team came to within four points of winning their fourth consecutive game. TSU entered Saturday's contest riding a three-game winning streak in conference play.
Texas Southern raced off to a lead in the first quarter after a 39-yard touchdown catch by Austin Watts from Averion Hurts. Hurts would later run in a three-yard score to give the Tigers a 14-7 advantage.
Alcorn State surged passed Texas Southern before halftime as they put up 10 second quarter points while holding TSU scoreless.
The third quarter of action saw the Tigers knot the game at 17-17 after a successful Eric Medina 48-yard field goal attempt.
With things all even the fourth quarter was a hardly fought stanza by both teams. The Braves went ahead for good with 13:34 remaining in the quarter on a two-yard TD run.
Texas Southern would tack on another field goal by Medina with 5:14 left to play. The Tigers defense would get TSU's offense one final possession after forcing Alcorn State to punt the ball on their ensuing possession.
Texas Southern moved the ball down to the Alcorn State 46 yard with a fresh set of downs. After a 1-yard rush to start the drive inside Alcorn State territory, Hurts was forced into throwing three consecutive incompletions effectively ending the Tigers scoring threat while sealing the game in favor of Alcorn State.
For the game Texas Southern rushed the ball for 116 yards while passing for 219 yards good for 335 yards of total offense. Defensively Texas Southern played well as Alcorn State was limited by the Tigers to just 64 yards on the ground and 213 yards passing (277 total yards).
A key factor in the contest was the play of the Braves special teams' unit. Alcorn State junior De'Lance Turner changed the game with a special teams play (blocked punt) in the fourth quarter, followed by a touchdown to help get the win for Alcorn State
Texas Southern will now get set to host Jackson State for Homecoming next Saturday, October 22nd at BBVA Compass Stadium at 2:00 p.m.
