GRAMBLING, La. | An Alabama State University 28-yard field goal sailed wide right on the Hornets' final drive as Grambling State held on for a 24-23 win at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Grambling mounted a five-play, 43-yard scoring drive, culminating in a 14-yard rushing touchdown to take a 24-23 lead with 6:19 remaining in the game,
The Hornets final drive saw two potential touchdown passes missed the mark as the drive stalled at the GSU 11-yard line. Brandon Gilliam's 28-yard attempt missed wide right with 48 seconds left in the contest.
The Tigers improved to 5-5 on the year and 2-4 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, while the Hornets fell to 5-4 overall and 4-2 in conference matchups.
Kareem Keye led Alabama State's passing attack with 280 yards through the air. The signal caller also added two touchdowns on the ground.
Marcus Harris II paced the Hornets rushing attack by accumulating 68 yards throughout the game, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. A.J. Gates also added 25 yards on the ground.
Keye's most prolific target in the ballgame was Eric Horn, who caught one pass for 75 yards. Jalen Jones also got in on the action in the passing game, hauling in two balls for 63 yards.
Rhoody Jean-Louis showed out for the Alabama State defense, recording 0.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, and one interception. Treqwan Thomas added four tackles, 1.0 TFL, and one sack and Demarkus Cunningham had seven tackles, 1.0 TFL, and one sack in the loss.
Defensively, Alabama State held up fairly well against the Grambling offensive attack, holding the Tigers to 247 total yards. The Hornets' defense took up residence in Grambling's backfield all game, piling up four sacks and seven total tackles for loss.
How It Happened
After falling behind 3-0, Alabama State responded with a field goal with five seconds left in the first quarter to tie the game at 3-3. Grambling scored to go ahead 10-3 before the Hornets scored again to tie things up at 10-10.
Alabama State followed with a Keye one-yard touchdown run at the 3:21 mark in the second quarter and took a 17-10 lead in the process. The Hornets continued to extend their lead, scoring again to go on top 20-10.
Alabama State continued to expand its lead, scoring again with 6:22 remaining in the third quarter to go on top 23-10. Alabama State didn't score again and Grambling added 14 more points to finish of the game.
Game Notes
» Alabama State outgained Grambling 377-247, including a 280-76 advantage through the air.
» Alabama State tallied 17 points in the second quarter, accounting for 73.9% of their total score.
» Alabama State converted 5 of 14 third downs while Grambling was successful on 4 of 13.
» Brandon Gilliam knocked through three field goals for the Hornets with a long of 45 yards.
» The Hornets didn't allow a sack in the contest.
» Deljay Bailey led the Tigers' passing attack, completing six of his 12 attempts for 76 yards with one interception.
» Keilon Elder led the Grambling rushing attack with 104 yards and one touchdown.
UP NEXT: Alabama State hosts Jackson State for Hall of Fame weekend at 2 p.m. on Saturday at 2 p.m.
