Early TD return leads Prairie View to 34-7 win over Texas Southern

Prairie View A&M defeated Texas Southern 34‑7 on Friday night at A&M Stadium in a game that began with a kickoff‑return touchdown. The 20‑yard return by freshman wide‑receiver Jalen “J‑J” Johnson set the tone early, and the Aggies never looked back. They scored 14 points in the first quarter and exploded for 20 more in the third, while Texas Southern managed only a field goal and a single touchdown.

The rivalry between the two SWAC schools has always carried extra weight. In 2023 the game was decided in a dramatic walk‑off, and both teams are fighting for a top spot in the West Division. Prairie View’s win keeps them at 5‑1 in conference play, while Texas Southern falls to 3‑3. The result also gives Prairie View a 2‑point lead over the top‑seeded team in the division, putting pressure on the Tigers for the rest of the season.

Prairie View’s defense played a key role, forcing four turnovers and limiting Texas Southern’s offense to just 7 points. Quarterback Tyler Carter finished 16‑of‑24 for 182 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. On the ground, running back Marquez Miller rushed for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Texas Southern’s offense, led by senior quarterback Alex Gonzalez, was held to 10 first‑down plays and 1,200 total yards, a stark contrast to their 2023 performance when they averaged 28 points per game.

Looking ahead, Prairie View will host the University of Alabama Black Bears in the next week’s home game. The Aggies are aiming to maintain their momentum and secure a spot in the SWAC Championship Game. Texas Southern will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to face the conference’s top teams in the remaining matchups. The loss could be a wake‑up call, but the Tigers have shown they can rebound, and they will be looking to close the gap in the standings before the season’s final stretch.