SUNDAY'S SCORES
Grambling 16,
Tennessee State 10 (Canton, Ohio)
GRAMBLING 16, TENNESSEE STATE 10
CANTON, Ohio - Running back Devon Starling rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown and wide receiver/returner Dayron Johnson had 137 all-purpose yards, but it wasn't enough for Tennessee State to pick up a victory in head coach Eddie George's debut.
TSU fell to Grambling State, 16-10, on Sunday night in the second annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Tennessee State outgained Grambling 230 to 184, but committed 18 penalties for 150 yards.
The Big Blue played three different quarterbacks in the game with freshman Tucker Pope getting the start under center. Geremy Hickbottom entered in the second quarter and completed 8-of-10 passes for 65 yards, while fellow signal-caller Deveon Bryant played the bulk of the second half and finished with 24 yards rushing and 22 yards passing.
Starling, the Ohio Valley Conference's leading rusher last season, had 18 carries for 88 yards and scored a 3-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Johnson had 83 punt return yards, including returns of 47 yards and 36 yards. He added three receptions for 37 yards.
Special teams gave Tennessee State a chance late in the game. Trailing 16-10, TSU punter Kaleb Mosley had a pair of outstanding punts in the final six minutes, pinning Grambling State down at the 3-yard line on one possession and at the 6-yard line with just over two minutes left in the game.
A 36-yard punt return by Johnson gave TSU the ball 30 yards from the end zone with 3:58 remaining but back-to-back penalties pushed the Tigers back to the Grambling State 45-yard line and forced a punt that gave GSU the ball back with two minutes left in the contest.
GSU was able to get a first down on third-and-3 to seal the game and run out the clock.
Kicker Anthony Zito drilled a 39-yard field goal, but missed a 57-yard attempt.
Led by linebacker Jashun Bryant's nine tackles, the TSU defense held Grambling State quarterback Elijah Walker to 4-of-11 passing for just 43 yards and safety Cory Rahman had an interception in the second quarter.