Senior wider receiver Calief Samon dives into the end zone.
HOUSTON, TX | Grambling State quarterback Geremy Hickbottom threw for over 300 yards for the second consecutive week, as the Tigers football team defeated TSU 34-21 Saturday night at BBVA Compass Stadium.
Both teams came into the game fighting for the third place spot in the SWAC West Division. The win brings the Tigers to (3-3 overall, 2-1 SWAC) as TSU falls to (1-5 overall, 0-2 SWAC).
After a scoreless first quarter due to a blocked Marc Orozco field goal and red zone turnovers by both teams, the Tigers hit the scoreboard first with a Devante Davis punt return for a touchdown to put the G-MEN up 7-0.
TSU responded with a five play 52-yard drive of their own that ended with a Tylor Cook 1-yard touchdown run to even the score in the second quarter 7-7.
However, GSU would respond quickly as quarterback Geremy Hickbottom only needed 12-seconds and 2 plays, as he completed a 28-yard touchdown pass to Kobe Ross to put the Tigers lead to 14-7 going into the half.
“We made some mistakes in the first half as we turned the ball over, but we will look at film and make some adjustments” says GSU head coach Broderick Fobbs.
The Tigers kept the momentum going into the second half, with a 10 play drive to start the third quarter that ended with a Marc Orozco 34-yard field goal to extend the Tigers lead to 17-7.
Both teams exchangeed scores on the following possessions. Texas Southern notched get a 75-yard touchdown pass from Jay Christophe to Bobby Hartzog, while the Tigers responded with a 75-yard drive that ended with Hickbottom finding Devante Davis for the 24-yard touchdown pass to put the score at 24-14.
After GSU defense forced a TSU punt, the Tigers marched 58-yards in five plays to find the end zone after Hickbottom connected with tight end Calief Samon for an 8-yard touchdown completion and Orozco field goal on the following possession would bring the deficit to 34-14.
Texas Southern fought to the end as they rallied to yet another 75-yard drive that ended with Devin Williams finding Chris Long in the back of the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown in the final quarter to close put the deficit at 34-21.
The Tigers finished the night with over 500 yards of total offense on the night. Hickbottom led the GSU, rushing 19 times for 82 yards and while finishing 29 of 44 for 345 passing yards.
The Tigers return to action Saturday October, 20 as they travel to Lorman, Mississippi to face conference opponent Alcorn State on ESPN 3, kickoff set for 2 p.m.