Clemetine Rice/DIGEST
Texas Southern University Running Back, Senior, Lawrence Butler out runs Jaguar defenders to score as the teams faced off on November 15 at A.W. Mumford Stadium.
This past weekend, Southern University Jaguars went head-to-head with the Texas Southern Tigers in what would be their last home game of the season in A.W. Mumford Stadium. Within the first few minutes of the first quarter, #17 Cam Jefferson scored on a 51‑yard touchdown, giving SU an early 7–0 lead. TSU quickly answered with a touchdown two minutes later to tie the game at 7–7. SU regained control when #5 Dupree Fuller caught a 54‑yard pass for another touchdown, pushing the Jaguars ahead 14–7.
Southern carried its momentum into the second quarter. #5 D. Fuller struck again with another 54‑yard touchdown, extending the lead to 21–7. TSU rallied late in the quarter with a 12‑yard touchdown, cutting the score to 21–14 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Southern added to its lead with a 3‑point field goal from #38 Nathan Zimmer, making it 24–14. TSU responded in the final seconds of the quarter with a touchdown to close the gap to 24–21.
The fourth quarter saw TSU take control. The Tigers scored to go ahead 28–24, then added another touchdown to make it 35–24. Southern fought back as #0 Cam’Ron McCoy scored on a 5‑yard run, narrowing the score to 35–30. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough.
Even in defeat, some fans admired the team’s grit and hunger heading into the season finale, the Bayou Classic. However, others voiced concern and disappointment over the perceived drop in players’ work ethics and consistency from the first half to the second.
Head coach Fred McNair praised the team’s energy, saying, “They really wanted to win… we got the opportunity to go up 14 on 10 points,” but added, “In the beginning of the third quarter, we have to find a way to execute better.” Senior defensive end Ckelby Givens, in his final home game, reflected, “I believe everything happens for a reason… the plays were there for us to make them, but we didn’t.” Sophomore running back Barry Remo, making his first start, said, “It felt like my time to shine. Even though we came short, I feel like we’re going to be great going into the Bayou Classic… at least, we didn’t go down without a fight.”
With the season winding down, Southern shifts its attention to November 29 and the highly anticipated Bayou Classic showdown against Grambling State. The Jaguars are determined to regroup, finish strong, and close out the year with a victory.