Football Has Dominant Performance In 41-7 Win Over Grambling State

Texas Southern claimed its first win (41-7) over Grambling State since 2013 and its largest margin of victory (34) since 1957 after a complete performance on both sides of the ball Saturday night in its home finale at PNC Stadium.

TSU overcame a pair of early sacks on its second drive as Andrew Body found Derrick Morton for a 30-yard completion on 4^th-and-11 to the GSU 1. LaDarius Owens punched it in from the GSU 1 for the early lead as Curtis Falkenburg’s PAT was good for a 7-0 lead.

On TSU’s next drive, they were stopped at its own 37 on 4^th-and-1 and Grambling State capitalized as Julian Calvez found Joshua Johnson for a 37-yard touchdown reception on the opening play of its next drive. Garrett Urban’s PAT was good as the contest was tied at 7-all with 2:19 remaining.

Senior Kevin Harris returned the kickoff 30 yards to the TSU 46 and Owens had a big 29-yard rush to set up TSU at the GSU 14. Two plays later, Body found a wide open Tavaris Achane for a 15-yard touchdown as TSU led 13-7 due to a missed PAT attempt.

The TSU defense held its own in the second quarter with two sacks and an interception to keep GSU at bay. After the TSU defense forced a turnover on downs with 2:18 left, TSU went for a home run as Body connected with AJ Bennett for a 65-yard touchdown on the opening play. The duo worked its magic again on the PAT attempt to up the score to 21-7 entering halftime.

Both teams forced punts to open the third quarter but TSU’s Isaiah Hamilton made a big statement as he soared high to intercept Grambling State’s Quaterius Hawkins and raced 12 yards for a touchdown as TSU upped its lead to 27-7.

Grambling State missed a field goal on its next attempt and TSU put the icing on the cake as Kevin Harris capped off an 11-play, 45-yard drive with a 1-yard run for a 33-7 lead.

Da’Veon Ford scored a toucbdown in the fourth quarter to seal the contest as TSU is within one win of its first winning season since 2000.

TSU finished with 443 total offensive yards (253 R, 190 P) while GSU had 244 total yards. Owens rushed for 105 yards and one touchdown while Body was 15-for-22 passing with 190 yards. Jadrian McGraw led TSU with seven tackles and two tackles for loss, including two sacks.

TSU still has an outside chance at the SWAC Championship but will need to win its season finale at Alabama A&M next Saturday in Huntsville, Ala.