In front of a raucous homecoming crowd of 17,135 at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium, Grambling State University (GSU) earned a well-deserved 31-21 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (UAPB) on Saturday, October 19, 2024. The Tigers, now sitting at 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), delighted their home fans by delivering a powerful performance on both sides of the ball. This marked not only their first conference win of the season but also head coach Mickey Joseph’s first SWAC victory as the leader of the Tigers.
Meanwhile, the Golden Lions of UAPB fell to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in SWAC play, despite putting up a fierce fight throughout the contest. The game featured multiple exciting moments, including blocked punts, explosive plays, and defensive stands that kept the fans on edge until the final whistle.
Balanced Offensive Attack Leads the Way
Grambling State’s offense racked up 310 total yards, with 175 yards coming through the air and 130 on the ground. The offensive balance proved crucial in keeping UAPB’s defense guessing and controlling the tempo of the game.
Starting quarterback Myles Crawley had a solid day under center, completing 15-of-25 passes for 170 yards and one touchdown. Crawley demonstrated composure in the pocket, spreading the ball to multiple targets. Although Javon Robinson led in receptions with four catches for 28 yards, it was tight end Marquis Harris who made the biggest impact in the passing game, hauling in a spectacular 71-yard touchdown pass that energized the home crowd. Backup quarterback Ashton Frye also saw limited action, completing 3-of-5 passes for five yards.
On the ground, Grambling State’s rushing attack was powered by a trio of running backs who all found the end zone. Ke’Travion Hargrove led the charge with 75 yards on 10 carries, including a 15-yard touchdown run. Tre Bradford and Dedrick Talbert added short touchdown runs of their own, giving the Tigers a much-needed edge in the red zone. Bradford’s 7-yard scoring run in the first quarter set the tone for GSU’s offense, while Talbert’s late 9-yard touchdown sealed the victory.
Special Teams Dominate the Day
Grambling State’s special teams unit played a pivotal role in the win, with two crucial blocked punts that set the stage for early scores. Early in the first quarter, Marquis Harris blocked a punt, giving the Tigers excellent field position at the UAPB 21-yard line. Just minutes later, Bradford capitalized with a touchdown run to give GSU a 7-0 lead.
In the second quarter, Ken Pierre-Charles blocked another punt, with the ball rolling out of bounds at the UAPB 35-yard line. This play set up a 48-yard field goal by Reed Harradine, extending Grambling’s lead to 10-7 just before halftime. These special teams efforts proved critical in securing the victory, as they disrupted UAPB’s momentum and provided GSU with valuable scoring opportunities.
Defensive Standouts
Grambling State’s defense also played a major role in the win, holding UAPB to 332 total yards of offense, 230 of which came through the air. The Tigers’ defense stepped up in key moments, particularly in the fourth quarter when the game was on the line.
Andrew Jones led the way for GSU’s defense with a game-high 12 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and half a sack. His aggressive play set the tone for the Tigers, as they constantly pressured UAPB quarterback Mekhi Hagins. David Jones was another defensive standout, contributing nine tackles, half a tackle for loss, and a crucial fourth-quarter interception that halted a Golden Lions drive.
With just under two minutes left in the game, the Tigers’ defense delivered a game-changing stop. UAPB, trailing 24-21, found themselves backed up at their own 9-yard line facing fourth-and-12. David Jones made the play of the game by batting away a pass intended for Aramoni Rhone, giving GSU the ball deep in Golden Lions territory. On the very next play, Dedrick Talbert dashed into the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown, putting the game out of reach and securing the homecoming victory.
UAPB’s Fight Falls Short
Despite the loss, UAPB showed resilience throughout the game, particularly in the second half. After falling behind 10-7 at halftime, the Golden Lions came out strong in the third quarter, putting together a 75-yard scoring drive capped by a 2-yard touchdown pass from Hagins to Isaac Jaxon, tying the game at 7-7.
UAPB managed to keep the game close throughout the second half. Hagins connected with Kristian Gammage for a 12-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, cutting GSU’s lead to 24-21. Hagins finished the game with 27 completions on 41 attempts for 230 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also contributed a rushing touchdown in the third quarter, showcasing his dual-threat ability.
Running back Za’Marion Webber provided a spark on the ground for UAPB, rushing for 93 yards on 15 carries. However, Grambling State’s defense tightened up when it mattered most, preventing Webber and the Golden Lions from gaining consistent traction in the closing moments of the game.
Looking Ahead
With the victory, Grambling State now shifts its focus to an important SWAC Western Division matchup against Texas Southern in Houston, Texas. The Tigers will be looking to build on their momentum and climb the conference standings as they prepare for the upcoming contest at Shell Energy Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on the SWAC Digital Network via YouTube.
Meanwhile, UAPB will look to regroup as they continue their conference slate. Despite the setback, the Golden Lions have shown flashes of potential throughout the season, and they’ll aim to get back on track in their next outing.
Grambling State’s homecoming victory was a complete team effort, with contributions from the offense, defense, and special teams. As the Tigers move forward, they’ll seek to maintain their winning ways and continue to make strides under Coach Mickey Joseph’s leadership.
