Grambling State Drops Season Opener at Louisiana - Grambling State University Athletics (2024)

LAFAYETTE, La. |The Grambling State University football team put forth a valiant effort but couldn't upset FBS opponent Louisiana in head coach Mickey Joseph's debut, falling 40-10 on Saturday night at Cajun Field.

GSU (0-1) showed flashes of what could be, making big plays in spurts and coming up with defensive stops in the second half. The Tigers surrendered 30 points in the first half but played the Ragin' Cajuns tough in the season limited the UL to 10 points over the final two periods.

Starting quarterback Myles Crawley had an efficient night, going 19-for-28 for 166 yards and one interception. His top target was Nick Howard who snagged five passes for 68 yards.

Ke'Travion Hargrove led the GSU rushing attack with 61 yards on 12 carries.

Defensively, GSU newcomer Blake Davis had a solid night racking up a game-high eight total tackles with seven solo stops. He also had an interception and a sack.

Another positive note for the Tigers came in the penalty department. A year ago, GSU was the penalized team in the country, averaging 81.4 yards in penalties per game. On Saturday night, Grambling State committed just six penalties for just 25 yards.

"I was happy because they didn't quit and they fought to the end," said Joseph "I've got to do a better job of getting ourselves ready to play in games like this where you are playing up. Louisiana is a well-coached football team and they're postseason football team, but we still know we're a good football team."

Louisiana got things going early, moving into GSU territory on its first play from scrimmage, courtesy of a 50-yard completion by Harvey Broussard. A few plays later, the Ragin' Cajuns got on the board on a 6-yard run by Dre'lyn Wahsington to go up 7-0 with 9:04 to go in the first quarter.

The Ragin Cajuns made 14-0 after Ben Wooldrige found Broussard for 13-yard TD pass with 13:30 remaining in the half. UL pushed its lead to 30-0 heading into the half.

On Louisiana's first drive of the second half, Davis nabbed his first interception of the year, giving the Tigers the ball at their own 44-yard line. Grambling State couldn't convert the takeaway into points, however.

Following another UL touchdown, Grambling State puts its best drive of the game together going 75 yards in nine plays, culminated in a 1-yard touchdown gallop by Hargrove. That score made it a 37-7 game with 4:35 to go in the third quarter.

Trailing 40-7 with 1:55 remaining in the contest, Reed Harradine capped the scoring with a 50-yard field goal. It was the first time a Grambling State kicker made a field goal greater than 50 yards since Marc Orozco nailed 52-yard field goal against Alcorn State on Oct. 20, 2018.

Wooldridge paced Louisiana's passing game, throwing for 308 yards, three touchdowns and an interception on 25-of-33 passing.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Grambling State finished with 241 total yards, including 166 in the air
• The Tigers picked up 12 first downs.
• GSU was 4-of-11 on third down (36.4%)
• Grambling State lost the time of possession battle. Louisiana held possession for 34:18 while GSU had the ball for 25:42
• Nine receivers caught passes for GSU. Nick Howard led the way with five catches for 68 yards.
• Ke'Travion Hardgrove ran for 61 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries
• Tre Bradford totted the ball seven times for 26 yards.
• Blake Davis led GSU's defense with eight tackles, seven solo stops, a sack and an interception
• Caleb Lee-Collins, Jon Horton and Issac Washington each registered four tackles.
• Louisiana finished with 481 total yards
• The Ragin Cajuns recorded 24 first downs
• UL went 7-for-11 on third downs (63.6%)

Up Next
Grambling State returns to Grambling, La. to host Tuskegee in the home opener at Harris-Williams Field at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on HBCUGo.

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