TUCSON, Ariz. (Football) – The Grambling State University football team traveled to Tucson, Ariz. to face the University of Arizona Wildcats in non-conference match up on Saturday night. The Tigers fought valiantly but were defeated in the desert, 31-21.

Grambling goes into Southwestern Athletics Conference play with an overall record of 0-1. Arizona moves to 1-1, overall.

In the first half of play, Grambling played with tenacity unmatched. The G-Men jumped out to a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter when Verlan Hunter caught a pass from DeVante Kincade for two yards with 12:05 left. The score was set up by seven plays for 81 yards in 2:55.

The Tigers second score of the night came when Kincade linked up with Devohn Lindsey for a 26 yard pass with 11:55 left in the second quarter, 14-0. The G-Men marched down the field in 12 plays for 86 yards in 5:06.

The Wildcats scored their first points of the night with 4:37 left in the second quarter and Josh Pollock drilled a 31 yard field goal through the upright, 14-3.
Grambling scored the team's final touchdown in the second quarter with :16 left after a goal line play was reviewed to show that Martez Carter had broken the plane before being taken to the ground, 21-3.

The second half was all Arizona as the Wildcats rattled off 28 unanswered points to lock the game up and snag the win.

"It was the tale of two halves. First half we play well and dominated. We threw the ball effectively and played well on defense. We did everything we were supposed to do. The second half was the complete opposite. We can't turn the ball over that many times and expect to win," stated Head Coach Broderick Fobbs.

Brandon Dawkins of Arizona finished the night 15 of 29 for 223 yards and two touchdowns. His longest pass of the night was for 70 yards. Nick Wilson was the leading rusher for the Wildcats with 24 carries for 121 yards and one touchdown. On the defensive side of the ball for Arizona, Flannigan Fowles led with nine total tackles and Michael Barton recorded one sack.

DeVante Kincade started for the Tigers and quickly went 15 of 19 for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Backup Trevon Cherry made his presence known going 16 of 25 for 209 yards.  The Grambling receiving corps was led by Chad Williams with 13 catches for 152 yards. Grambling's Achilles heel of the night was turnovers as they committed six turnovers in the second half alone.

The Tigers next test will come as they head to Jackson, Miss. to face the Tigers of Jackson State University on Saturday, Sept. 17. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.

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