By Curtis Ford, Grambling State Associate AD for Athletic Communications; featured photo by Marcus Plummer
COMMERCE, Texas — Grambling State used several key defensive stops and a late touchdown to force overtime and defeat Texas A&M-Commerce 35-28 on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
Grambling State improved to 2-1 for the first time since 2017. Texas A&M-Commerce dropped to 0-3.
The GSU defense came up big, forcing six turnovers on the day. Patrick Marshall came up with biggest takeaway of the day, picking off a pass on TAMUC’s first possession of the extra period.
Grambling State’s offense struggled with inconsistency but made crucial plays when the Tigers needed it. Starting quarterback Myles Crawley was 14-of-30 for 125 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Tre Bradford led the Tigers’ running game with 73 yards and two scores on 15 carries.
The Grambling State defense forced three turnovers within the Lions’ first four possessions. Brenden Barley picked off Lions’ QB Ron Peace, setting the G-Men up with a first and 10 at the TAMUC 23-yard line with 12:16 on the clock. A missed 40-yard field goal attempt kept the score tied 0-0.
Another interception by Markel Linzer set the Tigers up their own 45-yard line. Grambling State’s offense once again couldn’t convert that takeaway into points.
GSU’s defense took matters into hands on the next Texas A&M-Commerce drive when Marshall forced a fumble and Blake Davis scooped it up and returned it for a 35-yard touchdown. GSU nabbed a 6-0 lead after the PAT was missed wide right with 6:43 to go in the opening quarter.
TAMUC responded with a 69-yard touchdown by B.K. Jackson, giving the Lions a 7-6 lead at the 6:02 mark.
GSU’s Caleb-Lee Collins picked another TAMUC pass at the Lions 25 yard-line with 14:19 to go until halftime. A few plays later, GSU’s offense converted the turnover into a TD when Crawley found Jacoby Bellazar for a 10-yard TD. Grambling converted a two-point conversion to take a 14-7 lead.
After back-to-back TD drives for the Lions, Bellazar set GSU up in a prime territory with a kickoff return to the TAMUC 41-yard line. On first down, Tre Bradfordkicked into high gear, sprinting 41 yards for another Tiger TD, tying the game 21-21 4:17 on the clock.
Both teams went into the half tied at 21.
GSU’s defense nabbed its fifth takeaway when David Jones forced another TAMUC fumble at the 50 yard line on the Lions opening possession of the second half. However, GSU gave the ball right back when the Lions’ Jaden Rios picked off Crawley at the GSU 44-yard line.
After driving inside the Tigers’ 5-yard line, TAMUC took a 28-21 lead Braxton Garmon carried the ball into the end zone for a 3-yard score with 8:56 to go in the third quarter.
Grambling State had an opportunity to tie the game at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but a fumble at the 1-yard line by Hargrove gave the Lions a first down at their own 20-yard line with 14:01 to play.
Texas A&M tried to put the game away but going for a fourth down conversion with 3:41 to play and the ball resting at the GSU 26 yard, but linebacker Andrew Jonescame up with a clutch tackle to give the Tigers the ball back.
A 27-yard touchdown catch by Nicholas Howardcapped off a 6-play, 75-yard drive to tie the game 28-28 with 1:18 left in regulation.
In overtime, with Grambling State need seven yards on third down, Ke’Travion Hargrove made a 17-yard reception inside the 5-yard line to set up first and goal. Bradford finished the drive with a 3-yard TD run giving the Tigers a 35-38 advantage.
On the Lions first play of overtime, Marshall made an interception at the 15-yard line to preserve the win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Grambling State accumulated 247 yards of total offense. GSU ran for 117 and threw for 130 yards.
- Texas A&M Commerce racked up 419 yards with 267 coming via the running game.
- The Tigers picked up 13 first downs.
- GSU was 4-of-15 on third down.
- Grambling State lost the time of possession battle. TAMUC held possession for 34:15 while GSU had the ball for 25:45
- Tight end CJ Knighten led the receivers with four catches for 29 yards. Nicholas Howard and Jacoby Bellazar each had a receiving touchdown.
- Tre Braford ran for 73 yards a two TDs on 15 carries.
- Andrew Jones led the Tiger defense with 13 total tackles, seven solo stops and two tackles for loss.
- Brenden Barley, Caleb Lee-Collins, Markel Linzer and Patrick Marhsall each made an interception. Marshall and David Jones also forced fumbles.
- Texas A&M-Commerce quarterback Ron Peace was 14-of-28 for 152 yards and four interceptions.
- The Lions recorded 18 first downs.
- TAMUC went 5-for-17 on third downs. The. Lions were also 2-for-5 on fourth down conversions.
- B.K. Jackson led TAMUC on the ground with 149 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.
UP NEXT
Grambling State welcomes Jackson State to Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium for a non-conference tilt. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.