Football | 10/12/2014 8:28:00 AM

Braves Second Half Comeback Not Enough in 28-21 Loss to Grambling State

Box Score The Braves outscored Grambling 14-7 in the second half but it was a little too late as they picked up their first SWAC loss of the season to the Tigers 28-21 at Eddie Robinson Stadium yesterday afternoon.

Grambling went ahead early in the first quarter on a pair of rushing touchdowns by Johnathan Williams and Cedric Skinner to take a 14-0 lead.

In the second quarter, Grambling extended their lead to 21-0 on a 22-yard pass from Williams to Ka'Jand Domino at the 12:08 mark.   

The Braves scored just before the half on a fake field goal pass from Zerick Rollins to Alondrea Young for a five-yard touchdown narrowing the lead to 21-7.

The Braves were unsuccessful after the half on their first possession and Grambling capitalized quickly.  Williams scored his second rushing touchdown of the day from two yards out to make the score 28-7 with 2:07 to play in the third quarter.  

With time fading away for the Braves, quarterback John Gibbs, Jr. responded by scoring a three-yard touchdown at the 11:31 mark to cut the lead to 28-14.

The Braves defense were able to make some huge stops in the fourth quarter to give the offense a fighting chance to score.  Junior wide receiver LaDarrien Davis reeled in a 30-yard catch to put the Braves inside Grambling's five-yard line.  From there freshman running back, Arron Baker, found the end zone from three yards out to put the Braves within a touchdown 28-21 with 3:17 to play.

After forcing Grambling to punt, the Braves had one more shot at tying the game.  On the first play of the drive, Gibbs found Jordan Payne across the middle for a 22-yard pick up.  On the next play, Gibbs rushed for 16 yards and managed to get out of bounds to stop the clock.  On the final play of the game, the Braves tried to pull a rabbit out of the hat but the play was unsuccesful.  

Gibbs finished the game completing 15-of-31 passing for 175 yards and he also rushed for 51 yards on 10 carries.  Baker carried the ball 11 times for 80 yards and one touchdown.

Junior defensive back, Warren Gatewood intercepted two passes and recorded four tackles to lead the Braves defense.

The Braves (5-2, 3-1) will host Texas Southern (5-1, 3-1) next Saturday for homecoming at Spinks-Casem Stadium.  Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m.