Box Score Athean Renfro ran for a career-high 129 yards as TSU closed out its home portion of the schedule on a winning note after defeating Bethune-Cookman 17-14 inside Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Wildcats struck first as Maleek Huggins caught a 62-yard pass from Cam Ransom for the early 7-0 lead after the PAT. The score would remain the same entering halftime as TSU was forced to punt four times along with throwing an interception. BCU would miss a 25-yard field to end the half as TSU remained within one score.
The TSU defense had a strong start to open the second half and the offense responded on its opening drive. The Tigers put together an 11-play, 84-yard drive as Renfro rushed for 27 yards on the drive including a 5-yard touchdown run. Christian Avelar's PAT was good as TSU tied it at 7-all.
The TSU defense once again had a strong outing as they ended BCU's next drive with a sack. Renfro opened up the next drive with a 35-yard run as he set up Avelar's 27-yard field goal with 2:27 left in the quarter.
Renfro's 28-yard touchdown run in the early portion of the fourth quarter moved TSU ahead 17-7 following the PAT. In similar fashion to last year's contest in Daytona Beach, Fla., the Wildcats fought back and made it a one-possession game with a six-yard touchdown pass at the 6:04 mark.
TSU couldn't run the clock out on its ensuing drive and was forced to punt which gave BCU the ball for a potential game-tying field goal or game-winning touchdown. The Wildcats would convert a fourth down conversion to extend the drive early on and eventually marched down to the TSU 37. With eight seconds left, BCU was forced to attempt a 54-yard tying field goal but it fell short as the Tigers won their fourth game of the year and surpassed their win total from 2023.
TSU finished with 317 yards of offense as Jace Wilson passed for 170 yards. Renfro rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns while Jyrin Johnson caught four passes for 60 yards. Javius Williams and Umar Yaro both had 10 tackles each while Yaro had two tackles for loss.
TSU is on the road next week at UAPB for its 2024 season finale set for 2 p.m.
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