HOUSTON, Texas | Nov. 1, 2025 — Texas Southern entered Saturday riding the momentum of a four-game winning streak and eyeing sole possession of second place in the SWAC West. Instead, Alcorn State delivered a reality check. Behind a dominant ground attack and red-zone precision, the Braves controlled the afternoon and handed TSU a humbling 33-14 defeat at Shell Energy Stadium.
The loss drops the Tigers to 4-4 overall and 3-2 in SWAC play, while Alcorn State—fighting to stay alive in the postseason picture—improves to 4-5 and 2-3 in conference action.
Braves Punch First — and Hard
Alcorn wasted no time announcing their intentions. The Braves opened with a statement drive, marching 80 yards in 12 plays and chewing up clock before running back Reggie Davis punched in a 2-yard touchdown to give the visitors an early 7-0 lead.
Texas Southern responded quickly, flashing the explosiveness that fueled its midseason surge. On the first play of the ensuing drive, quarterback KJ Cooper found Roriyon Richardson streaking downfield for a 43-yard score, tying the game and energizing the home crowd.
But the momentum didn’t last.
Alcorn Controls the Trenches
The Braves leaned on physicality and execution at the line of scrimmage throughout the afternoon. Davis added a second touchdown—this time a 15-yard burst—capping a 65-yard scoring march midway through the second quarter to reclaim the lead.
From there, Alcorn’s defense tightened up, forcing punts and suffocating TSU’s rhythm. The Tigers’ best chance to reclaim momentum came late in the half. After a fourth-down stop by the TSU defense at their own 38-yard line, the offense engineered a promising drive deep into Braves territory. But Cooper’s interception in the red zone stalled the Tigers, marking a critical missed opportunity in a game decided by execution.
Seizing Control
The third quarter belonged entirely to Alcorn State. The Braves punched in another touchdown and added a field goal to take command at 24-7 while Texas Southern’s offense sputtered, managing just two short possessions and failing to cross midfield.
Any hopes for a TSU rally evaporated early in the fourth when Alcorn extended the lead to 30-7 with another grinding scoring drive. Richardson would add a late touchdown for the Tigers, but by then the result was effectively sealed.
Stat Story
Alcorn State dominated the hidden battles—on the ground, on third down, and inside the red zone.
| Category | Alcorn State | Texas Southern |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 456 | 340 |
| First Downs | 29 | — |
| Red Zone | 6-for-6 | 0-for-2 |
The Tigers were shut out on both of their trips inside the 20. Alcorn, on the other hand, capitalized on every chance.
What It Means
For Texas Southern, the defeat halts their longest winning streak in more than a decade and tightens the West Division race as November approaches. Head coach Clarence McKinney now faces the challenge of preparing his young squad to respond after one of its roughest outings of the year.
Defensively, TSU had flashes—including a key fourth-down stop in the second quarter—but couldn’t contain Alcorn’s methodical approach. Offensively, the Tigers struggled to sustain drives, losing the physical war up front and failing to convert scoring chances.
Alcorn State, meanwhile, continues to trend upward after a rocky start to conference play, stacking a second straight win and gaining confidence as they push toward bowl positioning and SWAC standing improvement.
Up Next
Texas Southern will look to regroup next week as they return to SWAC play with postseason implications still hanging in the balance. Alcorn State heads home seeking to build on this momentum and finish strong.
The Tigers may have stumbled, but with key divisional matchups ahead, their goals remain within reach — and Saturday’s defeat may serve as a timely reminder of the focus required in November football.
