Texas Southern rallied back from an early 14-point deficit as they received big plays from all three units to claim a 42-30 physical win over North Carolina Central on Saturday night inside Thorne Stadium.

Both teams traded punts to open the game but the Eagles struck first on their second possession as quarterback Layne Nelson broke free for a 60-yard scamper for the first touchdown. The PAT was successful as NCCU led 7-0. TSU had success on its next drive after a pair of big runs from Athean Renfro and Jacob Washington but the drive stalled at the NCCU 37. The Tigers opted for a field goal but Ernest Goodwin's 54-yard attempt was just wide right.

The Eagles moved ahead 14-0 after their next possession to close out the first quarter and looked to have TSU on the ropes early on. However, the TSU offense began to settle down as quarterback Cam' Ron McCoy had a 22-yard run followed by a big 41-yard throw to receiver JaQuan McGee to the NCCU 19. TSU would get to the NCCU 7 but took a four-yard loss on second down. McCoy would come up big on third down and found McGee in the corner of the endzone for an 11-yard strike and a 14-7 deficit after Miguel Arana's PAT.

The momentum was short-lived as NCCU answered TSU's score with a touchdown of its own at the 4:30 mark of the second quarter. Both teams would trade punts after the score and TSU would come up big to close the gap late in the quarter as McGee opened the drive with a 38-yard strike to the NCCU 39. The Tigers would slowly march down the field and end the drive with a bang as McCoy and McGee connected once again for a 25-yard touchdown pass with 20 seconds left in the half. However, a penalty on the kickoff followed by a personal foul on the first play of the drive flipped the field to the TSU 35. Nelson would break free for a 31-yard run to the TSU 8 as it set up a 25-yard field goal by the Eagles to close out the half ahead 24-14.

Newcomer Fatu Mukaba opened the second half with a 47-yard run and TSU only needed two plays to strike as McCoy found Roriyon Richardson for a 45-yard touchdown reception and a 24-21 score after the PAT. NCCU would punt followed by a TSU interception which allowed the Eagles to regain possession and the momentum. TSU defense held firm and the punt unit made a huge play as Jordan Thompson recovered a Jacob Washington blocked punt and raced 34 yards for the touchdown which flipped the lead to TSU for the first time.

A pair of third down personal fouls kept NCCU's next drive alive as they converted a 32-yard field goal to trail 28-27. The TSU offensive line would respond and create holes for both Renfro and Jacob Washington on its next drive as Renfro capped off the drive with a 14-yard scamper to lead 35-27 with 2:17 left.

The TSU defense forced a punt to open the fourth quarter but TSU fumbled on the catch attempt which allowed the Eagles to recover the ball at the TSU 20. Even though NCCU would get three points on its next drive, the TSU defense recorded a small win as they minimized the damage and still held to a 35-30 lead.

TSU would punt on its next drive and the Eagles upped the pressure as they drove to the TSU 27 but a bad snap and a tipped pass moved NCCU to the TSU 38. The Eagles attempted a deep pass on 3^rd-and-28 but Jaquavus Hallman read the ball perfectly and picked off the pass at the TSU 13.

The Renfro-Washington connection would take over from that point thanks to solid play by the offensive line. Renfro broke free for a 45-yard run on 3^rd-and-6 followed by Washington's 20-yard touchdown run to put the game away with 2:07 left.

TSU finished with 462 yards of offense as they rushed for 277 yards and passed for 185. Renfro ran for 167 yards on 18 carries while McCoy passed for 185 yards and three touchdowns on 8-of-19 passing. McGee caught four passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns while Donovan Jones had eight tackles.

TSU is back in action next Sunday at Prairie View A&M for an 11 a.m. start in the 41^st Labor Day Classic.