PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Texas Southern closed out the 2024 season on a positive note as they won back-to-back games at the end of the season for the first time since 1979 after defeating Arkansas-Pine Bluff 31-23 Saturday afternoon.
Both teams traded punts to open the game but the Tigers would set the tone on their second drive as Athean Renfro and Quintell Quinn pounded the UAPB defense with the run. Quinn would score the game's first touchdown as he broke free for a 32-yard run en route to a 7-0 lead following the PAT by Christian Avelar.
UAPB threatened to score on its second drive of the day but MJ Hinson's interception in the endzone ended the threat. It was a game of punts from that point but TSU would emerge with a potential scoring drive to close out the half as they drove the ball to the UAPB 30. However, UAPB would score off a turnover and then close out the half with a 52-yard field goal to lead 10-7.
The Tigers would open the third quarter with an Avelar field goal to knot it at 10-all but a big UAPB kickoff return and two third down UAPB conversions set up a 35-yard Golden Lion field goal and a 13-10 UAPB lead.
Quinn came out on fire on the next drive as he exploded for a 75-yard run on the opening play to move TSU ahead 17-13 after Avelar's field goal. The TSU defense would force a fumble on the ensuing drive and Jace Wilson led a four-play, 35-yard drive which ended with him finding Trent Leary for a 21-yard touchdown reception as TSU led 24-13 after the PAT.
The Golden Lions added a field goal to open the fourth quarter for a 24-16 margin but the TSU defense rose to the occasion with an interception midway through the stanza which set up a Renfro touchdown run and a 31-16 margin. The Golden Lions would add a touchdown late but TSU recovered the onside kick and ran the clock out for their second straight win and their first season finale win since 2000.
TSU finished with 383 total offensive yards as they held UAPB to 275 yards of offense. Wilson passed for 169 yards and a touchdown while Quinn rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns on 17 attempts. Leary caught seven receptions for 78 yards while Charles George led the Tigers with 17 tackles.
TSU closed out the 2024 season with five wins as it marked the most wins since 2022.
