By Curtis Ford, Grambling State Assistant AD for Athletic Communications; featured photo by Tony Valentino
LORMAN, Miss. — Grambling State’s hopes of victory were dashed by a late Alcorn State touchdown as the Tigers fell 25-24 on Saturday afternoon at Spinks-Casem Stadium.
GSU (3-3 overall, 2-1 SWAC) led the Braves 24-19 heading into the fourth quarter but was held scoreless in the final period as Alcorn State (3-2, 2-1) snatched victory from the G-Men.
Grambling State, who ran for 200 or more yards in each of its previous three games, found it hard get going on the ground, managing just 60 rushing yards on Saturday. As a team, the Tigers were limited to just 299 yards of total offense.
Starting quarterback Myles Crawley was 14-of-27 for 233 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions. Entering Saturday’s game, Crawley had only thrown one pick the entire season. Antonio Jones was a key target for Crawley, making three receptions for 118 yards.
Defensively, the G-Men forced three turnovers in the form of two fumble recoveries and one interception. The Tigers also racked up five sacks.
After Alcorn State forced a punt on Grambling State’s opening drive, the GSU defense got the first touchdown of the game. Jimmy Iles booted a 65-yard punt to the Braves’ 1 -yard line.
On ASU’s first play from scrimmage, J’Cobe Scottforced a fumble and fell on top of it in the end zone for a touchdown, giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 12:46 to go in the frame.
The Braves’ responded on their ensuing drive, using a 12-play, 83-yard drive, punctuated by 15-yard TD reception by Tavarious Griffin. Alcorn State missed the extra-point attempt wide right, keeping the Tigers in front 7-6 with 7:22 to go in the quarter.
On the next drive, Crawley threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Santonial Rice, putting ASU in front 13-6.
Later in the first quarter, a 53-yard reception by Antonio Jones set up a 2-yard TD run by Floyd Chalk. Tanner Rinkerconnected on his PAT to make 14-13 Tigers with 3:33 remaining the first period. That’s where the score would stay heading into halftime.
Coming out of the locker room, ASU’s Jarvean Howard coughed ball up and Javon Carterrecovered on the Braves 31-yard line. Crawley found Lyndon Rash for a 13-yard TD pass, giving the Tigers a 21-13 cushion early in the third quarter.
Trent Henry nabbed his first career interception on ASU’s next possession, but a quick three and out gave forced GSU to punt. After retrieving a low snap, Iles’ knee was ruled to have been down prior to the kick and the Braves were gifted great field position at the Grambling State 20-yard line.
The Braves ended up scoring a touchdown two plays later a 20-yard throw and catch from Allen to Anthony Williams. Another failed PAT made it 21-19 Tigers at the 7:30 mark of the third quarter.
Rinker nailed a 27-yard field goal at 2:58 remaining in the third, growing GSU’s lead to 24-19.
Both teams traded stops throughout the rest of the third quarter and much of the fourth period. It wasn’t until there was 1:35 remaining in the game that Alcorn State regained the lead on a 15-yard pass from Allen to Griffin, putting the Braves up 25-24.
Grambling State would have an opportunity to mount a comeback, by Crawley was picked off on a pass intended for Rash at the ASU 31-yard line with 1:04 to go.
Alcorn State totaled 316 yards, with 253 coming through the air. Aaron Allen was 20-of-31 for 248 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
MORE FROM THE BOX SCORE
- Alcorn State held a 24-15 advantage on first downs.
- Grambling State possessed the ball for 30:05. ASU held the ball for 29:55.
- GSU was 7-of-16 on 3rd downs.
- ASU was 4-of-12 on 3rd downs.
- Both teams were perfect on 4th down conversions. The Tigers were 1-for-1 and ASU was 2-for-2.
- Chance Williams was the leading rusher for Grambling State, carrying the ball 16 times for 40 yards.
- Lewis Matthewsonce again led the GSU defense in tackles, making 14 stops with 2.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks.
UP NEXT
Grambling State looks to get back on track next weekend as the Tigers welcome Alabama A&M to town for homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.