Tigers 2-step past Jaguars in Texas

HOUSTON — Texas Southern and Southern faced off in a slugfest Saturday, but the Tigers prevailed with a stout defense in the fourth quarter 29-15.

Last Saturday's home finale win over Alcorn State was humbling for the Jaguars, who lost their its previous two games by four points.

"Offensively, Riko really threw the ball well really bouncing back from a sour week before, … of TSU said. " Our receivers were catching the ball. The offensive line was protecting and keeping themselves in front of people bodies."

 Saturday's defeat at the hands of the Tigers marked the fourth time the Jaguars loss back-to-back games under second-year head coach Stump Mitchell. In the past four weeks, the Jaguars have dropped heartbreaking games to Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Prairie View and now Texas Southern — three contests decided by a total of 18 points.

"Riko Smalls, he was the difference in the ball game for us," Mitchell said. "He led his team on a couple of drives of 90 yards. He did it both with his legs and also with his arm."

Smalls was dynamic Saturday, completing 26-of-39 passes for 365 yards, the most passing yards allowed by the Jaguars defense, which was atop the conference in pass defense before Saturday. He totaled four touchdowns, three passing and one rushing score that extended the Tigers first half lead 15-0.

While Smalls kept Mitchells' defense busy, the Jaguars offense stalled, converting 4 of 12 third-down conversions. The Jaguars woes' rushing the ball continued, gaining 12 yards on 14 attempts.

While Smalls' grab most of the attention passing and running the ball, the Jaguars offense answered with offensive spurts of its own. Freshman quarterback JP Douglas, who started for the third straight week, connected with wide receiver Jared Green for a 50-yard touchdown score in the second quarter on a seven-play, 82-yard drive.

"They put more pressure on our quarterback than we've had in the past and he wasn't able to make some throws when we had guys open," Mitchell said.

Douglas threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns and was sacked twice.

After halftime, the Tigers' emerged from the locker room, scoring on its first drive, a 46-yard touchdown pass by Smalls to receiver Artie Collins for a 22-7 lead.

The Jaguars offense quickly answered with a 24-yard score, set up by a 49-yard kick return by cornerback Virgil Williams that positioned the Jaguars firmly back in the game.

The Tigers capitalized on its last drive in the third quarter, marching down the field 99 yards with the help of a 13-yard touchdown pass by Smalls to extend the Tigers' lead 29-15 with 1:31 remaining in the quarter.

Time was on the Tigers' side in the final period, as Texas Southern ran out the clock, yielding the Jaguars to six yards of total offense before the end of regulation.

Last year, the Tiger's dismantled the Jaguars in Baton Rouge 54-7. Southern has not won a game against Texas Southern since 2009.