Grambling State ended Prairie View A&M's five-game winning streak at the 2023 State Fair Classic with a 35-20 victory. Hue Jackson's G-Men are in control of the SWAC West with a 2-0 record as the Panthers fall to 201 in the division.
"I'm just excited for our fans, for our football team, and our coaches," Grambling State head coach Hue Jackson said following the win. "We wanted to end the streak, and we got it done."
Grambling scored on its opening drive with a 28-yard field goal following a 12-play, 71-yard drive in the first quarter to lead 3-0. Prairie View quickly answered when running back Ahmad Antoine accounted for 58 yards of offense, then rushed for a 3-yard touchdown to go up 7-3 over the G-Men. The SWAC West foes traded scores in the first and second quarters, where Grambling went into halftime with a 16-10 lead.
"We had to go dominate," Jackson mentioned as to what he told his team at halftime. "We had to go dominate this half, win the game, make plays, take the ball away. We did all those things."
Prairie View placekicker Garcia Rodriguez booted a 42-yard field goal to bring the Panthers within 3 points, 16-13. Rash caught a 6-yard Myle Crawley touchdown pass to increase the GSU lead to 22-13, but the 2-point conversion was unsuccessful.
On the ensuing drive, Panthers backup running back Wisham outran the Tigers defenders for a 53-yard touchdown run. Prairie inched within 2 points, but that was the closest Bubba McDowell's team would get to Grambling. Myles Crawley shrewdly attempted a pass in the endzone that drew a pass interference penalty against Prairie View. Chance Williams was untouched on a 4-yard touchdown burst as Grambling expanded its advantage to 29-20. The Tigers' drive was for six plays and 75 yards in 2:20.
Connley tossed an interception on the Panthers' next drive. Hue Jackson's team melted over 5 minutes off the clock. Prairie View got the football with 2:00 minutes remaining in the game. The Tigers' defense attacked and sacked Connley twice, ending the Panthers' chance to win. On the final possession, Chalk rushed for a touchdown to finish off Prairie View, 35-20.
Myle Crawley proved he was ready to elevate his game by completing 25-of-40 passes for 241 yards, two touchdowns, and a QB rating of 129.6. His counterpart from Prairie View, Trazon Connley, couldn't find the fourth-quarter heroics as in the TSU and Alcorn State games. He connected on 11-of-23 passes for 223 yards and an interception.
The Tigers' rushing attack was once again lethal, pounding the Panthers for 210 yards on 39 rushes and two touchdown runs by Chalk and Williams. Lyndon Rash caught two of Crawley's touchdown passes on the evening.
Grambling will face Alcorn State on Saturday, Oct. 7, in Lorman, MS, for another crucial SWAC West match. Alcorn defeated Alabama State in overtime, 23-20.
The Panthers will lick their wounds and prepare to host Mississippi Valley State on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 6 PM CT.
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