Football back in the win column after defeating Texas Southern

[Coach Andy Mac]

After losing in week one to Southern Methodist University, football defeated Texas Southern University 59-27 at home Saturday night.

“Taking the next step after a loss is always challenging,” head coach Seth Littrell said. “I felt like our kids responded this week. I thought it was a good bounce back.”

North Texas (2-1, 1-0 Conference USA) capped its first drive with a 44-yard field goal from senior kicker Ethan Mooney. Redshirt freshman linebacker Sifa Leota recorded his first tackle and sack of his career when he brought down sophomore Tigers quarterback Andrew Body and forced a punt.

In the following play, sophomore running back Ayo Adeyi ran for a 59-yard touchdown to give the Mean Green an early 10-0 lead. Adeyi’s run was the longest score of his career and his first touchdown of the season.

Texas Southern (0-2, 0-1 SWAC) responded with a field goal of its own. In turn, the Mean Green countered with a 35-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Austin Aune to redshirt freshman receiver Ja’Mori Maclin on the first play of the second quarter.

The two teams traded touchdowns on the next four possessions, starting with a 39-yard score from junior running back Ladarius Owens. Aune came back with another touchdown pass, this time to junior receiver Jyaire Shorter. The catch was Shorter’s first touchdown since 2019 after being sidelined due to an injury three games into the 2020 season.

The Tigers marched down the field on their next drive and scored on a pass that was deflected into the hands of junior receiver AJ Bennett in the end zone. Aune followed with a 70-yard touchdown to junior receiver Roderic Burns, the longest catch of his career. Burns has now recorded a catch in 19 consecutive games.

read more:  https://www.ntdaily.com/icymi-football-back-in-the-win-column-after-defeating-texas-southern/