HOUSTON, Texas | Grambling State rallied from a 17-10 fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime, but Texas Southern scored the decisive touchdown in the extra period to hand the Tigers a 23-20 Southwestern Athletic Conference loss Saturday night at Thorne Stadium.
Grambling State (4-4, 2-3 SWAC) and Texas Southern (3-5, 2-3 SWAC) battled through a scoreless first quarter before both teams exchanged field goals in the second period. Texas Southern opened the scoring with a 47-yard field goal by Miguel Arana with 12:11 remaining in the first half.
The Tigers answered with a nine-play, 50-yard drive that ended with a 29-yard field goal from Theodore Caballero, tying the game at 3-3 with 8:36 left in the second quarter.
GSU's defense kept the game close, limiting the Tigers to one first-half field goal while producing an interception before halftime. Lonell Cunningham came away with the interception and returned it 27 yards, helping Grambling maintain momentum heading into the break.
The Tigers took their first lead of the night in the third quarter. After receiving the second-half kickoff, Grambling put together a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive. Ashton Frye capped the possession with a 6-yard touchdown run at the 9:52 mark, and Caballero's extra point gave the Tigers a 10-3 advantage.
Grambling controlled much of the third quarter, holding Texas Southern scoreless and limiting the home team to just seven yards on its opening possession of the second half.
Texas Southern, however, changed the momentum early in the fourth quarter with two explosive rushing touchdowns. Athean Renfro broke loose for a 75-yard touchdown run with 13:53 remaining to tie the game at 10. Just under three minutes later, Renfro struck again, racing 86 yards for another score to give Texas Southern a 17-10 lead.
The Tigers responded with a determined drive after taking over at their own 40-yard line. Frye connected with Lantavious Murphy on a 6-yard touchdown pass with 4:46 remaining, completing a five-play, 40-yard possession. Caballero's extra point tied the contest at 17-17.
Grambling State's defense came up with another important stop late in regulation, forcing Texas Southern to punt and giving the Tigers an opportunity to take the lead. Neither team found the end zone again before the end of regulation, sending the contest to overtime.
In the extra period, GSUtook possession first and moved the ball 11 yards on six plays before Caballero connected on a 31-yard field goal to put the Tigers ahead, 20-17.
Texas Southern answered with a three-play, 25-yard possession, capped by a 6-yard touchdown run from Cam'Ron McCoy to secure the 23-20 victory.
Frye led Grambling's offense, completing nine of 21 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown while adding 56 rushing yards and another score. Jacobe Robinson completed two of three passes for 22 yards in relief.
Tony Phillips Jr. paced the Tigers on the ground with 61 yards on seven carries, averaging 8.7 yards per attempt. D'Shaun Ford added 25 rushing yards, while Andre Crews contributed 17.
Nae'Saan Dickerson led Grambling's receiving corps with four catches for 61 yards, including a 40-yard reception. Murphy finished with two receptions for 16 yards and the fourth-quarter touchdown, while Jordan Bride added two catches for 19 yards.
Defensively, Demone Green led the Tigers with eight total tackles, including three tackles for loss and two sacks. Cunningham also recorded eight tackles and an interception, while Marcellius Johnson added seven tackles, including a sack. Jamal Jordan finished with six tackles and a forced fumble.
Grambling finished with 286 yards of total offense, including 166 rushing yards and 120 passing yards. The Tigers converted eight of 18 third-down attempts and went 4-for-4 in the red zone. Defensively, Grambling recorded three sacks and forced three turnovers, including two fumble recoveries and Cunningham's interception.
Texas Southern finished with 432 yards of total offense, led by Renfro's 233 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. McCoy added 46 rushing yards and the game-winning score.
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