HOUSTON---It was a record breaking night for running back Frank Warren as he became Grambling's all-time career rushing leader, however, it wasn't enough as the Tigers suffered their first conference set back 41-34 in overtime to Texas Southern live on ESPN Classic.

 

The Tigers jumped on the scoreboard first on a 38 yard Zoltan Riazzo field goal and held a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter after Anthony Carrothers connected with Kiare Thompson on a 54 yard touchdown pass at the 4:39 minute mark.

 

TSU would tack on 10 points early in the second quarter to take a 17-10 lead with 10:03 remaining in the half. The lead would be short lived as Edward Patterson returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown followed by a Derrick Wilhite 38 yard interception returned for a score to put the Tigers up 24-17.

 

Riazzo added a 31 yard field as the half expired to give Grambling a 27-17 lead at the break.

 

The third quarter proved to be quiet for the most part until GSU's Bruna Foster returned an Arvell Nelson interception 97 yards to the TSU three yard line and two plays later Carrothers struck pay dirt on a quarterback sneak and Grambling lead 34-17 with 4:11 remaining in the period

 

The Tigers would fail to score again, while Texas Southern put up 17 points in the fourth quarter to force the overtime period in which they scored the game winner three plays later.

 

Facing second and nine from their own 37 yard line on the Tigers first possession of the fourth quarter Warren picked up six yards on a toss left and rushed his way into history as he broke GSU rushing records for most yards as a senior, most yards in a single season and most yards in a caree.

 

Carrothers' completed 6-of-18 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown with 67 yards rushing and a score on 15 carries. Defensively the Tigers were led by Wilhite and Cliff Exama. Wilhite turned in a game high 16 total tackles with two interceptions, while Exama added 13 tackles.

 

Having loss control of the SWAC western division with the loss, Grambling now await the result of TSU versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff November 20^th  with hopes remaining of a trip to the 2010 SWAC Championship game. A TSU loss and a Grambling when against Southern would place the Tigers back in the championship game for the second time in three years.

 

Grambling will face Southern in the 2010 State Farm Bayou Classic November 27.