GRAMBLING, La. – Kentucky State Football went toe-to-toe against Division I opponent Grambling, as the Tigers scored in overtime to edge the Thorobreds 37-31 under the lights of Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
 
Kentucky State opened strong, marching 69 yards on 11 plays before quarterback Denim Johnson capped the drive with a three-yard touchdown run. Leland Gantz added the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 8:23 left in the first quarter.
 
The Thorobreds doubled their advantage later in the frame as Chad Elzy powered in from six yards out, making it 14-0 with 2:21 on the clock. Grambling responded early in the second quarter with a 23-yard field goal, trimming the deficit to 14-3.
 
The Tigers pulled closer midway through the second on a 12-yard touchdown pass to cut the Kentucky State lead to 14-10. Johnson and the Thorobreds answered, however, when he connected with John McCall for an 11-yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 21-10 with 2:13 remaining in the half. Grambling struck back quickly, finding the end zone on a 13-yard rushing score to make it 21-17 at halftime.
 
Grambling grabbed its first lead late in the third quarter on a 36-yard touchdown pass, giving the Tigers a 24-21 edge.
 
Kentucky State rallied in the fourth as Torrence Bardell found Darius Cyprian for a 33-yard touchdown strike to reclaim a 28-24 advantage with 7:18 to play. Gantz extended the lead to 31-24 with a 43-yard field goal at the 1:55 mark.
 
Grambling forced overtime in the final seconds of regulation, on a 17-yard rushing touchdown with just 10 seconds left to tie the game at 31-31.
 
In overtime, the game ended in heartbreaking fashion for Kentucky State when T. Raby scooped up a fumble and returned it 83 yards for the game-winning touchdown, sealing a 37-31 Grambling victory.
 
UP NEXT
The Thorobreds will continue road play against conference opponent Morehouse on Sept. 20. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. in Atlanta
 
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