Texas Southern Edges Bethune-Cookman in a Hard-Fought 17-14 Victory

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The Texas Southern Tigers secured a thrilling 17-14 win over the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in a closely contested game. The Wildcats drew first blood in the second quarter when Cam’Ron Ransom connected with Maleek Huggins for a spectacular 62-yard touchdown pass.

The Wildcats' explosive five-play, 87-yard drive showcased their big-play capability, giving them a 7-0 lead. Texas Southern's offense struggled to respond in the first half, but their defense kept the deficit manageable heading into halftime.

The Tigers roared to life in the third quarter with a determined 11-play, 84-yard drive, culminating in a 5-yard touchdown run by Athean Renfro to tie the game at 7-7. Riding the momentum, Texas Southern capitalized on their next possession with a 27-yard field goal from Christian Avelar, taking a 10-7 lead. The Tigers’ balanced attack controlled the clock, while their defense limited Bethune-Cookman’s opportunities.

In the fourth quarter, Texas Southern extended their lead when Renfro broke free for a 28-yard touchdown run, capping a 90-yard drive to make it 17-7. However, the Wildcats responded with a quick nine-play, 70-yard drive, with Ransom finding Lorenzo Jenkins for a 6-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 17-14. The Tigers’ defense held strong in the final minutes, preserving the victory. The win highlighted Texas Southern’s resilience, with Renfro’s standout performance and timely defensive plays proving decisive.