Sports

Tigers suffer loss in shootout

An intense game between Grambling State University’s Tigers and Bethune-Cookman University’s Wildcats included several exciting plays and disappointing turnovers as the two teams battled on the gridiron,  answering score after score. In the end, the Wildcats prevailed, 56-53, with two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Grambling State is 0-2 for the season.   

KEION HAYES/The Gramblinite Chester Rodgers (80) collides with Bethune-Cookman defender James Darby (24) in the open field

KEION HAYES/The Gramblinite
Chester Rodgers (80) collides with Bethune-Cookman defender James Darby (24) in the open field

“We have to go back to the drawing board. We just gotta do a better job,” said head coach Broderick Fobbs during a post game news conference.

The Tigers’ defense held the Wildcats from scoring for 7 minutes in the first quarter. After that, both teams began to place points on the scoreboard, with two touchdowns from GSU, a 5-yard run from quarterback Johnathan Williams and a 4-yard catch to Chad Williams. By halftime the score was tied.

In the second half, the Tigers turned the ball over numerous times, including a fumble inside the GSU 5-yard line. A field goal by kicker Marc Orozco gave them a 3-point lead but the Wildcats returned to score with a pass from Larry Brihm to Jamie Wilson, giving Bethune-Cookman their first lead of the game with a score of 21-17. 

The Tigers were able to catch a break when offensive lineman Justin Miller recovered a fumble by Chad Williams at the 1 and into the end zone, pushing the Tigers ahead 24-21. 

In the final quarter both teams alternated scoring.Three consecutive sacks forced a safety, giving Grambling State a 29-28 lead. Brihm was knocked off guard by Michael Jolivet. 

The last time the Tigers scored during the game came came with a touchdown by Monroe native Martez Carter, giving Grambling a 46-41 lead. 

In the last two minutes of the game, however, Bethune-Cookman scored two touchdowns, making it nearly impossible for the Tigers to recover.   

Williams passed for a total of 326 yards, 11 catches for 140 yards and four touchdowns. JaWill Davis ran 199 yards and Jolivet sacked for two.

The Tigers travel to Montgomery, Alabama, for the first SWAC conference game as the team takes on the Alabama State University Hornets. Kickoff  is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday at the ASU Stadium in Montgomery, Alabama.