Texas Southern put together its best performance of the season as they claimed a 51-7 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Husky Stadium on Saturday.
Both teams failed to score on their opening drives but TSU would strike first on its second drive as they took advantage of good field position after a shanked UAPB punt. TSU would march all the way to the UAPB 6 but a penalty nullified a potential touchdown as the Tigers were forced to settle for an 18-yard Christian Avelar field goal for a 3-0 lead. UAPB would drive to the TSU 23 on its next drive and attempted to knot it up but Trey Glymph's 40-yard field goal fell short.
UAPB seized the momentum from TSU with an interception at the TSU 21 to open the second stanza but missed another field goal. The Tigers buckled up on their next possession and pounded UAPB in the running game to set up KJ Cooper's 7-yard strike to Roriyon Richardson's for a 10-0 lead after Avelar's PAT.
The Golden Lions muffed their next kickoff attempt and TSU's Langston Howell took full advantage as he recovered the ball at the UAPB 15. Three plays later, Cooper found Richardson once again for a scoring strike from 11 yards out as TSU led 17-0 following the PAT. TSU's defense forced a punt on the ensuing drive and the running back tandem of Athean Renfro and Jacob Washington combined for 32 yards on the drive to set up another score. One play after a 21-yard run, Washington had the highlight of the night as he ran into three defenders and spun off the trio for a 24-0 margin following the PAT with 4:59 left. TSU forced another punt and closed out the first half with a 39-yard field goal from Avelar to lead 27-0.
Avelar had a field goal to open the third quarter for a 37-0 lead followed by Richardson's 35-yard touchdown reception for a 44-0 score. UAPB would add a late score to avoid the shutout while Jordan Davis rushed it in from 42 yards out with 16 seconds left for the final score of the night.
TSU finished with 557 total rushing yards as 350 were via the ground and 207 came from the air. Richardson caught a career-high seven receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns while Cooper passed for 197 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-23 passing. Athean Renfro led all rushers with 133 yards on 22 carries while Isaiah Bogerty led the way with seven tackles.
TSU is back in action Saturday, Oct. 11 at Grambling State for a 6 p.m. start live on ESPN+.
