PINE BLUFF, Ark. | The Grambling State University football team used a dominating second half to breeze past Arkansas-Pine Bluff 43-14 on a chilly Friday night at Simmons Bank Field.
GSU (5-5 overall, 4-3 SWAC) got complete team-performance blitzing the Golden Lions for 411 yards of offense while forcing two turnovers and limiting UAPB (1-9, 0-7) to 266 total yards. The Tigers outscored Arkansas-Pine Bluff 28-7 in the second half.
Grambling State starting quarterback
Myles Crawley got back on track, tossing for 198 yards and three touchdowns while completing 18-of-28 passes. He also added a rushing touchdown to his tally.
The GSU run game also returned to form, rushing for 213 yards and three scores.
Chance Williams led the rushing attack with 97 yards on 11 carries. Floyd Chalk Jr. and
Dedrick Talbert both found the end zone. Chalk carried the ball six times for 54 yards while Talbert 19 yards on five attempts.
Lewis Matthews had another big game for the Tigers' defense, racking up 12 total tackles with an interception.
Trailing 7-0 midway through the first quarter, GSU's
Javon Carter showcased his speed, catching a short pass and racing 50 yards past UAPB's defense, tying the game 7-7 with 6:58 to go in the first quarter.
Grambling took the lead early in the second quarter when Crawley connected with
Antonio Jones for a 16-yard touchdown. The Tigers attempted a 2-point conversion, but the attempt failed and GSU held a 13-7 lead 11:01 left in the second quarter.
The Tigers got those two points back when an errant snap on a Golden Lion punt sailed into the end zone for safety. GSU led 15-7 heading into halftime.
With 9:32 to go in the third quarter, Chalk gave the Tigers some breathing room when he dashed 31 yards for another GSU score. The extra point made it 22-7 G-Men.
It would take long for the next Grambling State touchdown as less than two minutes later. Following an interception by Matthews that set the Tigers up at the UAPB 8-yard line. A couple plays later, Lydon Rash would grab a 5-yasrd TD reception, stretching GSU's lead to 29-7.
Leading 29-14 in the fourth quarter, Grambling State added two more rushing touchdowns by from Crawley and Talbert, securing the 43-14 victory for the G-Men.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff used a pair of quarterbacks versus GSU. Chance Edwards started the game, throwing for 78 yards, a touchdown and interception on 5-of-12 passing. Makhi Hagens was 9-of-17 for 65 yards and an INT.
Johnn Williams led the Golden Lions on the ground, running for 99 yards on 15 carries.
Khalil Arnold led UAPB on defense with 11 total tackles.
Up Next
Grambling State takes the week off before gearing up for the 50
th annual Bayou Classic at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La. on Saturday, November 25
th. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on NBC.
