GRAMBLING, La. | Despite a career game from freshman Li'Darius Pryor, No. 22 Jackson State dropped a 45-38 heartbreaker against Grambling State at James "Shack" Harris and Doug Williams Field at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
Pryor ran through the Grambling State defense for 166 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries, while Jackson State (5-1, 2-1 SWAC) generated 430 total yards of offense, but late Grambling scores in the closing minutes spoiled a furious second-half surge by Jackson State.
The Tigers struck early in the opening quarter. Following a Grambling State punt, Jackson State engineered a quick 7-play, 96-yard march, culminating in Pryor busting loose for a 25-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0. Just three minutes later, Jackson State defensive lineman Justin Foster pounced on an Ashton Frye fumble at the Grambling 11-yard line and returned it 11 yards for a touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0.
Grambling State answered before the end of the first quarter with a 5-yard pass from Jacobe Robinson to Tyson George, but Jackson State widened the margin again midway through the second quarter. On a 4-play, 47-yard drive, Pryor hit the hole hard for a 16-yard touchdown burst, bringing Jackson State's advantage to 21-7. However, Grambling State struck back with two late touchdowns before halftime, including a 5-yard scoring strike from Robinson to Nae'Saan Dickerson with 22 seconds left, sending the teams into the locker room tied at 21-21.
Jackson State methodically regained the lead in the third quarter. Andrew Ivaniciuc drilled a 48-yard field goal to finish off a 14-play, 44-yard drive, putting JSU ahead 24-21. Grambling State quickly countered with a 9-yard touchdown catch by Patrick Williams II to claim a 28-24 lead going into the final period.
After Robinson threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to Lantavious Murphy to put Grambling State up 35-24, the Tigers responded immediately. Quarterback Caron Tyler, in for an injured Jared Lockhart, hooked up with Jency Riley Jr. for a 39-yard pass, setting up a 7-yard touchdown completion between the two to pull JSU within 35-31. On Jackson State's very next offensive snap, Pryor unleashed the play of the game - a breathtaking 79-yard sprint down the right sideline to the Grambling 3-yard line, aided by a horse-collar penalty. Pryor punched it in on the next play for a 3-yard touchdown, giving Jackson State a 38-35 lead with 9:19 left.
Jackson State defensive back DJ Hill-Smith forced a critical fumble recovered by KJ Chisholm Jr. inside the Tigers' 5-yard line with six minutes remaining to protect the lead. However, Jackson State was forced to punt, and Grambling State capped off a two-play drive with D'Shaun Ford's 1-yard touchdown run with 1:36 left to retake a 42-38 lead. An interception thrown by Tyler on the ensuing drive led to a 24-yard field goal by Theodore Caballero to close out the scoring at 45-38.
Tyler finished with 67 rushing yards while completing 6 of 10 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. Nate Rembert caught four passes for 101 yards, highlighted by a 48-yard reception. On defense, Keith Bass Jr. anchored JSU with 10 total tackles, while Micah Gay added eight stops and Kam Sallis recorded an interception.
Up Next
Jackson State returns home next weekend to face Florida A&M for homecoming.
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