Things didn’t go according to plans for Texas Southern on Saturday against the Southern Jaguars. In front of a very limited home crowd at BBVA Stadium due to COVID-19 Protocol, the Tigers dropped their 2021 Spring Football home opener by a score of 51-23.

The Jaguars used an 8-play drive on their opening possession to take an early 7-0 lead after redshirt senior quarterback Ladarius Skelton connected with freshman tight end Ethan Howard for a 38-yard touchdown pass. Southern pinned the Tigers deep into their own territory on their second drive which resulted in a safety when freshman quarterback Jalen Brown was sacked in the endzone.

TSU’s offense finally began to put together some rhythm after falling behind 9-0 running back Jacorey Howard put the Tigers on the board with a three-yard run to cut the deficit to 9-7. Southern responded with a 73-yard drive capped off by a 22-yard touchdown pass to Jerrod Simms on the first passing attempt of the game from backup quarterback John Lampley to increase the score to 16-7. Once again TSU would respond when Brown found a streaking Ke’Lenn Davis down the sideline for a 54-yard score to bring the Tigers back within two-points 16-14.

TSU’s celebration would be short lived as backup defensive back Skykee Thomas would help the Jaguars increase the lead once again as he returned the ensuing kickoff 98-yards for a touchdown that put the Tigers down 23-14 heading into halftime.

Southern (2-1 overall, 2-1 SWAC) went back to the basics using a ground-and-pound attack against TSU (0-2 overall, 0-2 SWAC) and rushed for 195 yards of their game-high 256 in the second half. That resulted in four scores in five offensive possessions as the Jaguars never relinquished the lead in the game.

Texas Southern has a bye week and will return to action against the Grambling State Tigers at BBVA Stadium on April 3.