Texas Southern’s Statement Win: Is the SWAC West Crown in Sight?
Houston, TX – Texas Southern being number one in the SWAC West wasn’t on anyone’s radar heading into the 2024 college football season. After all, the Tigers were picked to finish dead last in the division during SWAC Media Day. But the Tigers had other plans, and they made that clear in their season opener with a dominant 27-9 victory over Prairie View A&M in the Labor Day Classic — their first win in the rivalry in a decade.
New Leadership, New Results
What stands out about this victory isn’t just the scoreline, but the fact that Texas Southern did it with new faces in key positions. The most notable change? New head coach Chris Dishman. After building his coaching career primarily as a defensive backs specialist, Dishman earned his first victory as the head man at TSU, leading his program to an impressive win in his debut.
Offensive Standouts: KJ Cooper and Danny Green Jr.
On the offensive side, junior quarterback KJ Cooper had a serviceable first start in the SWAC. While it wasn’t a lights-out performance, Cooper completed 19 of 29 passes for 126 yards and 1 touchdown, adding another 52 yards on the ground. True freshman Danny Green Jr. wasted no time introducing himself to the SWAC, contributing 90 all-purpose yards and 2 touchdowns on 16 touches, providing a spark that TSU desperately needed.
Defense Dominates Prairie View A&M
But where Texas Southern really made their mark was on the defensive side of the ball. The Tigers suffocated Prairie View A&M’s offense, holding them to just 219 passing yards on 18 of 40 attempts and a meager 21 rushing yards on 21 carries. They also racked up 7 tackles for loss and 5 sacks, setting the tone for what could be a formidable defense this season.
Keelan Cox and Jacob Williams
Two names stood out on that dominant defense: defensive lineman Keelan Cox and linebacker Jacob Williams. Cox was a disruptive force, recording 3 tackles, 2 for loss, 2 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup. Williams was everywhere on the field, finishing with 7 tackles, 5 of them solo, 1 tackle for loss, and a sack. Together, they made life miserable for Prairie View A&M’s offense.
The Tigers Are Out to Prove Themselves
Texas Southern heard all the doubters this offseason, but with this win, they’re making one thing clear — they’re here to prove the naysayers wrong. If their opening performance is any indication, the SWAC West may have a new contender this season.
