Grambling State University ousted the Southern University Jaguars 52-30 in front of a crowd of 68,000 in the Superdome this Thanksgiving weekend. The win marks Grambling’s 18th consecutive regular season win and also snapped Southern’s 8-game winning streak.
Both teams came with undefeated records, eight wins each.
Southern got on the scoreboard first with an 18-yard touchdown to Willie Quinn. Grambling answered with an 11 yard run from running back Martez Carter. Grambling wide receiver Chad Williams threw to wide receiver Verlan Hunter for a 32-yard touchdown extending the Tigers lead by 13. Grambling kicker Jonathan Wallace made a 25-yard field goal. Southern running back Lenard Tillery rushed 85 yards for a touchdown to narrow the lead 13-17.
During the third quarter, Grambling began to pull away from the Jaguars. Grambling quarterback DeVante Kincade rushed 45 yards for a touchdown. Southern trailed Grambling 24-13. Grambling running back Martez Carter rushed 66 yards for a touchdown. Next, Grambling wide receiver Lyndemian Brooks rushed 34 yards for a touchdown. Grambling extended their lead 38-13.
Southern quarterback Austin Howard threw to running back Lenard Tillery for a 14-yard touchdown in the 4th quarter. Grambling Wide receiver Chad Williams scored on a 7 yard touchdown reception. Southern kicker Ruan Albuquerque made a 32-yard field goal to make the score 23-45 in favor of Grambling. Grambling running back Martez Carter returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown this would give Grambling its biggest lead of the night. SU 23, GSU 52. Southern managed to score one last time. Quarterback Austin Howard threw to wide receiver Stacy Piro for a 7-yard touchdown. Unfortunately, it was too late for a Southern comeback.
Tillery finished with 234 rushing yards in his last game in gold and blue. Carter finished with 118 yards total. Though Southern and Grambling’s rushing yards and first down yards were almost equivalent, Grambling managed to rack 119 more offensive yards than Southern.
“It was a heavyweight fight. Good on good. Our players, we feel, can pretty much face anybody when it comes to throwing the football and running the football,” Fobbs said. “I thought it was a great ticket to buy.” Grambling travels to Houston, Texas to next Saturday’s SWAC championship game against Alcorn State at NRG Field. The two teams met before during the 2015 SWAC title with the Braves coming away with a 49-21 win.