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…