Box Score Indianapolis, Ind. – For the second consecutive week, the Braves offense totaled over 500 yards (288 rushing and 254 passing) and scored more than 40 points as they defeated Grambling 48-0 in the 30
th Annual Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium.
After a blocked punt by
Nicholas Sanders early in the first quarter, quarterback
John Gibbs, Jr. hit wide receiver
Jordan Payne for a quick strike to give the Braves a 7-0 lead.
Freshman kicker
Haiden McCraney nailed back-to-back field goals for the Braves for 23 and 27 yards to push the Braves lead to 13-0.
After a
Hendrick Taylor interception, senior running back
Arnold Walker went to work again for the Braves on the ground scoring on a one-yard run to extend the Braves lead to 20-0.
Grambling would give the ball back to the Braves with 2:50 left just before the half and the Braves took advantage of the opportunity to increase their lead. Backup quarterback
Zerick Rollins, Jr. rushed in from two yards out to give the Braves a 28-0 lead going into the locker room.
The Braves weren't done yet after the half. A muffed punt gave the Braves the ball with 11:48 on the clock in the third quarter. Walker scrambled for 26 yards for his second touchdown of the game pushing the Braves lead to 34-0.
Junior running back
Anthony Williams III marched into the end zone early in the fourth quarter on an 18-yard run making the score 41-0 with 11:52 to play in the game. Rollins, Jr. scored the last touchdown for the Braves on a 13-yard run to strip the last stripe off the Tigers.
Walker earned the Offensive Player of the Game rushing for 110 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns. Taylor was named Defensive Player of the Game racking four tackles (2 solo, 2 assist) two and half tackles for a loss, one interception, and one fumble recovery. Taylor also recorded one pass break-up and a quarterback hurry.
Gibbs went 18 for 37 for 254 yards and one touchdown while
Tollette George caught seven passes for 107 yards.
Devon Francois led the Braves defense with eight total tackles (5 solo, 3 assist).
The Braves (5-2, 3-1) hit the road again as they journey to Houston, Texas to face Texas Southern. Kickoff is staged for 2:00 p.m. at BBVA Compass Stadium.
