HOUSTON, TX — Southern University showed the heart of a champion Saturday afternoon, battling back from a 14-point second-half deficit to tie Texas Southern in the closing minutes before suffering a heartbreaking 24-21 loss on a 46-yard field goal by Miguel Arana as time expired at Reliant Stadium.
In a game that showcased the Jaguars' resilience, physicality and determination, Southern refused to fold after falling behind 21-7 in the third quarter. Instead, the Jaguars rallied behind a punishing rushing attack, timely passing and a defense that kept them within striking distance. The comeback ultimately fell three points short, but Southern's performance told a story that went well beyond the final score.
The Jaguars out gained Texas Southern 317-260 in total offense, collected 22 first downs to the Tigers' 14 and held a commanding 124-42 advantage in passing yards. Southern also recorded four sacks and limited Texas Southern to just five completions. Yet, with the game seemingly headed toward overtime, Texas Southern (2-5, 1-3) assembled a 10-play, 36-yard drive that consumed the final 4:24. Arana delivered the decisive kick from 46 yards, denying Southern an opportunity to complete one of its most spirited comebacks of the season.
Southern running back Trey Holly delivered one of the game's defining performances, carrying the football 35 times for 165 yards and a touchdown. Holly was the engine of the Jaguars' offense, repeatedly finding running lanes, fighting through contact and providing the physical presence Southern needed to sustain drives.
He averaged 4.5 yards per carry and added four receptions for 29 yards, finishing with a game-high 194 yards from scrimmage. His biggest moment came with 4:24 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Trailing 21-14, Southern took possession at the Texas Southern 45-yard line and marched 45 yards in five plays. Holly finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, and Christopher McKenna converted the extra point to tie the game at 21. It was the culmination of a determined second-half rally that saw Southern erase a two-touchdown deficit and put itself in position to win.
Quarterback Christian Johnson complemented Holly's ground attack with an efficient performance through the air. Johnson completed 11 of 18 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He distributed the ball to five receivers and helped Southern maintain offensive balance against the Tigers. Wide receiver Damien Henderson Jr. led Southern's receiving corps with three catches for 52 yards and a touchdown, including a 40-yard reception that helped establish the Jaguars' offensive rhythm early. Wydell Clark Jr. contributed a pivotal 24-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter, while Mike Franklin provided a spark on the ground with 38 rushing yards on six carries, highlighted by a 31-yard run.
Defense gives Southern a fighting chance
Although Texas Southern found success on the ground, Southern's defense delivered several impressive individual performances and repeatedly disrupted the Tigers' passing attack. Linebacker Tay James led the Jaguars with 10 tackles, including seven solo stops and two sacks for 16 yards in losses. James was a disruptive presence throughout the contest, helping Southern record four sacks for 26 yards in losses.
Ty Lee and Hunter Schnakenberg each finished with seven tackles, while Ckelby Givens added six. Defensive linemen Bryson Jennings and De'Myrion Johnson contributed a sack apiece. Jennings recorded a 7-yard sack, while Johnson added a 3-yard sack. The Jaguars' defensive pressure helped limit Texas Southern quarterback McCoy to just 42 passing yards on five completions in eight attempts.
Southern also held Texas Southern to three conversions on 11 third-down attempts. The defensive effort was especially important during the second half, when the Jaguars needed stops to climb back into contention.
A performance defined by determination
For Southern, Saturday's outcome will undoubtedly be difficult to accept. The Jaguars controlled several important statistical categories, demonstrated the ability to sustain long drives and showed the resilience necessary to overcome a two-touchdown deficit on the road.
Southern's 317 yards of offense came on 66 plays, compared with 51 for Texas Southern. The Jaguars also committed just one penalty for 15 yards, while the Tigers were flagged eight times for 102 yards. Those numbers reflected Southern's ability to execute in several phases of the game, even as missed opportunities ultimately proved costly. A blocked 37-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter and an unsuccessful fourth-down opportunity deep in Texas Southern territory during the second quarter prevented the Jaguars from adding to their early scoring total.
Nevertheless, Southern continued competing. The Jaguars responded to a 21-7 deficit with 14 unanswered points and put themselves in position to force overtime before Texas Southern's final possession. For a Southern team continuing to battle through SWAC competition, the loss was painful, but the fight displayed in Houston offered encouraging signs.
Holly's commanding rushing performance, Johnson's efficient passing, Henderson's playmaking ability, and James' defensive leadership provided several positives for the Jaguars.
Texas Southern earned the final score. But Southern's determination, second-half comeback, and refusal to surrender until the final kick defined an afternoon in which the Jaguars proved they could respond to adversity.
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