Southern turns in no-nonsense performance in 33-7 win against TSU, setting up another big Bayou Classic

HOUSTON, Texas -- The celebration, if you could call it that, was muted as the game clock ticked down to zeroes on Southern's 33-7 win against Texas Southern.

"I thought we came in with the right mindset to take care of business," said Jaguars coach Dawson Odums. "We understood what was at stake."

It was the sixth consecutive win for Southern (7-3, 5-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference), and it also set up yet another Bayou Classic clash with a trip to the SWAC title game on the line against Grambling, which remained undefeated in league play Saturday with a 24-7 win against Alabama State.

Odums was quick to remind anyone within earshot of where his team was before this win streak, back in September, when the Jaguars blew a 24-10 first-half lead to Alcorn State and dropped to 1-3 and 0-1 in SWAC play.

"Everybody wrote us off, but that's OK; good thing we don't have to cash their checks," Odums said. "We know ours don't bounce."

Saturday's victory wasn’t flawless or flashy. It was a no-nonsense win, a businesslike performance that allowed a few pieces of flair for the enjoyment of the large mass of blue and gold that made the trip.



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