Grambling State 14, Jackson State 5

September 20, 2008

GRAMBLING, La. – A 34-yard interception return for a touchdown by redshirt freshman Bruna' Foster closed the door as Grambling State captured a hard-fought defensive battle over Jackson State by a score of 14-5 before more than 12,000 fans on Saturday night.

After a scoreless first quarter, Grambling struck first in the second quarter as quarterback J.P. Tillman found Nick Lewis for a 46-yard touchdown reception. Luis Leal nailed the PAT to move the Tigers ahead 7-0.

Jackson State responded on its ensuing possession and marched down the field to Grambling's 32 behind the strength of a 39-yard pass from Trae Rutland to Marcell Wilder. However, the GSU defense buckled down from that point and held JSU to negative two yards en route to another punt to close out the first half.

The second half momentum immediately swung towards Jackson State on GSU's opening possession as defensive end Sam Washington forced a fumble which allowed teammate Dennis Coit to recover it at GSU's 32. Jackson State's offense began to shine after the turnover as Rutland moved JSU to Grambling's 4 after a 14-yard reception from Rutland to Carlos Simpson. GSU was issued a personal foul during the play and found itself in an early hole as the penalty moved Jackson State up to the Grambling 2.

With JSU threatening to get on board and momentum on its side, the Grambling defense came up with its finest series of the year as they forced JSU to turn the ball over after a goalline stand. Unfortunately, the festive atmosphere immediately turned sour on the very next drive as the JSU duo of Marcus Benard and Marcellus Speaks stopped running back Frank Warren in the endzone for a safety on the very first play.

Rutland moved Jackson State down the field once again on the next drive as he drove JSU all the way to the GSU 9. But once again, the Grambling defense held its ground and prevented the JSU offense from finding the endzone and taking the lead as the Blue Tigers were forced to settle for a 26-yard field goal by Eric Perri to cut their deficit to 7-5.

GSU began to move the ball as the fourth stanza began but watched its offense stall at the JSU 31. From that point, the contest turned into a battle for field position as each team traded punts. GSU once again had a shot to pad its lead midway through the quarter once again but had a promising possession stall at the 25 after a fake field goal attempt was stopped with 3:42 left.

Once again, the Tiger defense stepped up on the ensuing drive and seemingly wrapped up the game as Kenneth Anio intercepted Rutland at the JSU 40. However, Grambling failed to capitalize on the late gift as the Tigers were forced to punt once again with 1:33 remaining.

With no timeouts left, Jackson State began its final drive with a bang as Rutland found Keenan Tillman for an 18-yard strike. Rutland was credited with a three-yard rush on the next play but committed his worst mistake of the evening as Bruna' Foster read Rutland's pass perfectly and raced to the endzone all alone to give GSU the go-ahead touchdown.

Grambling finished the night with 231 (128 R, 103 P) total offensive yards while JSU was credited with 267 (255 P, 12 R) yards. Cornelius Walker led all GSU rushers with 57 yards on 12 carries while Tillman threw for 103 yards on 10-of-20 passing in addition to rushing for 50 yards.

The Tigers return home next weekend for a match-up with Langston at 3 p.m. in Robinson Stadium.

GAME NOTES

• The 14-5 contest was the lowest scoring GSU-JSU contest since a 13-7 GSU victory in 1978.
• * GSU head coach Rod Broadway is 5-0 in Robinson Stadium.
• JSU's Bloi-Dei Dorzon came into the game averaging 72 yard per game. He finished with only 24 yards on 17 attempts.
• Bruna' Foster has four interceptions on the year and scored his first career touchdown.