Texas Southern Football 2025 Defensive Preview
A closer look into the Texas Southern University Tigers' defense before Week 2
The California Golden Bears are back in Berkeley for the California Memorial Stadium home opener of the 2025 season, and Cal looks to continue rolling on against the Texas Southern Tigers (TSU), an FCS program in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, a conference made up fully of HBCUs.
While Cal was led to victory behind the unforgettable debut by true-Freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, explosive tackles and a nonstop presence by middle linebacker and team captain Cade Uluave, and exceptional punt returns on special teams by Jacob De Jesus – Texas Southern fell 21-22 to their rival Prairie View A&M on the Labor Day Classic via a last second 17-yard touchdown over the head of TSU’s Charles George Jr., even with six men playing back for a last second heave.
Now, as we move to Week 2 in Bear Territory, Texas Southern brings a defensive platoon led by defensive coordinator & defensive backs coach Billy Parker, who is in his second year at the helm for the Tigers after allowing FCS opponents to score 252 points in 10 games in 2024. Let’s dive a bit into 2024 as well:
2024 Defense in Review: (FCS Rankings)
90th in Rushing Defense with 1934 opponent rushing yards on 403 attempts, averaging 4.8 YDS/Rush
21st in Passing Yards allowed with 1959 in 308 pass attempts (179 completions)
Tied for 70th with an average of 1.91 sacks per game, and 72nd in the FCS with 21 total sacks on the season.
2025 Defensive Setup/Weapons:
DC Billy Parker runs a secondary-heavy defense that helped lead William & Mary’s defensive unit to lead the Colonial Athletic Association in pass defense, scoring defense, and finished second in total defense.
TSU’s defense against Prairie View A&M was headlined by R-Jr LB Isaiah Bogerty who made 11 total tackles (3 solo and 8 assisted) during the Labor Day Classic, Senior George Charles, Jr., who also collected 11 total tackles (4 solo, assisted), and Graduate Transfer Joel Williams, who collected an interception on Saturday against the Panthers – who will try to break the cycle of TSU collapsing against FBS opponents, as the Tigers have been outscored 133 – 582 in their last 10 matchups when playing up.
Starters/Injuries:
No reported injuries for Texas Southern University’s defense as of Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025.
DL: Jason Patterson, Darmarcus Thompson, Garfield Lawrence, and Thurman Rayborn (DT)
LB: Isaiah Bogerty, Jacob Williams, Charles George, Jr., and Josiah Hardman
CB: Keltrick Britford and Edric Whitley
S: Joel Williams
What should Cal expect?
The California Golden Bears are 16-0 against FCS opponents since the Division I FBS/FCS split in 1978, and with the hype train arriving in Downtown Berkeley’s BART station this weekend, Cal just needs to keep up the momentum and not play down to their opponent, which will mostly entail not folding on third down conversions (after going 2-13 against OSU). Cal’s last matchup against an HBCU-FCS program was against Grambling State, when the Golden Bears won 73-14 in the 2015 season opener, and ultimately went 8-5 on the season under Sonny Dykes in his third and final year with Jared Goff.
With 32 players making their debut in a Cal uniform against Oregon State last weekend, the Bears’ new cast of competitors on their revamped offense will look to continue dominating against TSU’s FCS defense, which struggled against rival-Prairie View A&M by giving up 453 total yards: 152 Rushing and 301 Passing. Texas Southern University will have the backing of the legendary Ocean of Soul Marching Band at halftime, which will come to Berkeley and celebrate Black Culture Appreciation Day at California Memorial Stadium!
While TSU is probably a good team and has a great band, not much buzz for a home opener after a nice win.
...Cal has major attendance problems and scheduling teams like TSU doesn't do much to excite anybody.
Yeah, we know why they do it but is a cheap win worth it ?
Wish I could be in Berkeley to see the TSU band... GO BEARS!