HOUSTON, Texas | October 18, 2025 – Homecoming weekend in Houston sets the stage for what could be a historic afternoon for Texas Southern University, as the Tigers (3–3) host Virginia-Lynchburg (3–4) at Durley Stadium on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. CT, streaming live on SWAC TV.

The Tigers are chasing their first four-game winning streak in 11 years, while the visiting Dragons look to spoil the celebration and rebound from a tough loss to Morgan State.

Game Context: Momentum vs. Motivation

Texas Southern enters this matchup riding a wave of confidence after rattling off three straight wins, capped by a statement 31–20 victory over Mississippi Valley State. The Tigers are finding their rhythm under head coach Clyde McKenzie, whose emphasis on discipline and balanced offense has transformed the team since an early-season slump.

Meanwhile, Virginia-Lynchburg continues its challenging independent schedule, serving as a measuring stick game for many FCS programs. The Dragons are 3–4 but have struggled defensively, surrendering over 500 yards in back-to-back games, including a 538-yard, 44-point performance allowed to Morgan State last week in Baltimore.

Texas Southern: Building Steam in the SWAC

For Texas Southern, this matchup represents more than just homecoming bragging rights — it’s an opportunity to solidify their identity as a legitimate contender in the SWAC West.

Quarterback Andrew Body has returned to form in recent weeks, providing a steady hand both through the air and on the ground. Body has thrown for over 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season while rushing for nearly 300 yards, giving the Tigers a dual-threat weapon capable of dictating the pace of play.

Wide receiver Derek Williams continues to be Body’s go-to target, racking up five touchdown receptions in his last three outings. The connection between the two has been lethal on deep routes, and with Virginia-Lynchburg’s secondary surrendering explosive plays at a high rate, Williams could be in for another big afternoon.

On the ground, Texas Southern’s run game has shown flashes of dominance behind running back Jacorey Howard, who’s averaging 5.1 yards per carry and leads the team with six rushing touchdowns. Expect Howard to shoulder a heavy workload early as the Tigers look to wear down a Dragons defense that allowed 278 rushing yards a week ago.

Defensively, Texas Southern has been opportunistic during its win streak, forcing six turnovers in the last three games. Linebacker Julian Marcantel and defensive back Kendrick White lead a fast, physical unit that’s steadily improving against both the run and pass.

Virginia-Lynchburg: Battling Through the Schedule

The Dragons’ season has been defined by resilience. Head coach Bobby Rome II continues to challenge his squad against some of the toughest competition in the FCS, and while the results have been uneven, Virginia-Lynchburg has shown flashes of offensive potential.

Quarterback Rashad Washington leads the Dragons’ attack, displaying solid accuracy and mobility despite inconsistent protection up front. Washington has thrown for 1,150 yards and eight touchdowns, with wideout Malik Carter emerging as his most reliable target, averaging 16.2 yards per catch.

The Dragons’ offense has shown it can move the ball, but red-zone execution remains an issue — something they’ll need to correct quickly to keep pace with the high-scoring Tigers.

Defensively, Virginia-Lynchburg’s struggles have been glaring. The front seven has been vulnerable to power running games, and the secondary has been burned by big plays through the air. Linebacker Tyrone Daniels will be tasked with leading the charge against a Texas Southern offense that averages nearly 30 points per game during its win streak.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Andrew Body vs. VUL Secondary: Body’s dual-threat ability could create major problems for a defense that has given up explosive plays in bunches.

• Tigers’ Offensive Line vs. Dragons’ Pass Rush: Texas Southern’s protection has improved, allowing Body time to operate. If that continues, it could be a long day for Virginia-Lynchburg.

• Turnover Battle: Texas Southern has thrived on takeaways lately, while the Dragons have turned the ball over eight times in their last two games.

What’s at Stake

For Texas Southern, this matchup carries major symbolic weight. A fourth consecutive win would mark the program’s first such streak since 2014 and set the tone for a crucial stretch of SWAC play ahead. For Virginia-Lynchburg, a strong showing against an FCS opponent would provide momentum heading into the final stretch of its independent schedule.

Prediction

Expect Texas Southern to use its balanced offense and physical defense to control the tempo from the outset. Virginia-Lynchburg has the offensive weapons to keep it interesting early, but the Tigers’ depth, efficiency, and home-field advantage should prove decisive.

Projected Final Score:
Texas Southern 35, Virginia-Lynchburg 10

With that result, the Tigers would extend their winning streak to four — a milestone 11 years in the making — and continue their climb toward relevance in the SWAC West race.