GRAMBLING, La. – Two pinpoint accurate punts by Grambling State in the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon helped the Tigers defeat the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
UAPB fell 31-21 at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium in Grambling’s homecoming game.
UAPB (2-5, 1-2 SWAC) twice forced the Tigers to punt in the fourth quarter with Grambling up 24-21, giving the Golden Lions an opportunity to tie or take the lead.
Grambling State (4-3, 1-2) punter Johnny Schifano pinned UAPB at its own 1-yard line both times. GSU cornerback Blake Davis caught the first, while the second bounced out of bounds.
UAPB coach Alonzo Hampton said GSU’s special teams did a great job.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“When you get pinned three times on the 1-yard line, that’s tough,” Hampton said. “I give them credit. Obviously, we were able to pick up a couple of first downs, but the field position really was the difference in the game.”
The first time, UAPB quarterback Mekhi Hagens converted third down by finding receiver JaVonnie Gibson for a 10-yard gain. Running back Za’Marion Webber picked up 15 yards on the next play, which turned into a 30-yard gain thanks to a facemask penalty.
UAPB went on to reach the GSU 49-yard line and faced a fourth down and three. The Golden Lions lined up to go for it, but a false start pushed them back. Instead of going for it on fourth-and-8, Jeremy Baker’s punt put GSU at its own 17.
Hampton said he second-guessed the decision to punt after the game.
“Probably should have went for that one, just because I think we had them back on their heels,” Hampton said. “It’s kind of here or there. Seven minutes in the game. We pinned them inside the 15-yard line, and then they were able to drive the ball down. We made them punt, but they took like 4 minutes off the clock.”
The Tigers gained 40 yards before Schifano’s second punt pinned the Golden Lions at their own 1 again, this time with 3:18 to play. UAPB picked up one first down but couldn’t get another, turning it over on downs at the 9-yard line.
One play later, Dedrick Talbert scored on a 9-yard run to ice the game. David Jones intercepted a Hagens pass on the ensuing drive, allowing GSU to take a knee.
The Golden Lions had to punt from their own 1-yard line in the first quarter after a sack by GSU linebacker Andrew Jones and defensive lineman Bryce Cage. Tight end Marquis Harris deflected the punt, which set up the Tigers at the UAPB 21-yard line and led to the game’s first touchdown.
Grambling led 10-7 after a defense-heavy first half, but the offenses found life in the third quarter. Both teams scored touchdowns on their first two second-half drives. Hagens rushed for one and threw to Kristian Gammage for another, with the latter being initially ruled incomplete before being overturned upon review.
Those touchdowns simply kept the Golden Lions within reach of the Tigers. Ke’Travion Hargrove opened the half with a touchdown run, and quarterback Myles Crawley found a wide-open Harris for a 71-yard score.
Hagens completed 27 of 41 passes for 230 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Gibson caught six passes for 84 yards, while Gammage caught five for 54 yards and a score. Tight end Jaxson Isaac caught seven passes for 24 yards and a touchdown, his first.
Hagens said Grambling’s pass rush, which sacked him four times, had an impact.
“They started sending more pressure off the edge, getting back there, trying to contain me in the pocket,” Hagens said. “They had a good defensive strategy, but we gotta execute and pick up the pressure blitzes and just keep going.”
Three Tiger running backers scored rushing touchdowns, and Hargrove led the way with 10 carries for 75 yards. Crawley completed 15 of 25 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown.
Crawley took most of the snaps at quarterback, but backup Ashton Frye got some playing time. He completed 3 of 5 passes for 5 yards and rushed for a crucial fourth-down conversion, which was upheld as a first down upon review despite UAPB’s protests.
UAPB linebacker Jaden Kelly, who led the team with nine tackles, said the Golden Lions weren’t sure which quarterback would start.
“They had kind of confusion on the offensive side, so we just stick to the plan, watched the other games (Crawley) was in,” Kelly said. “Just try to contain him, what they do. Stick to the scheme, that’s all.”
UAPB outgained GSU through the air, but the Tigers outrushed the Golden Lions 135-101.