GRAMBLING, La. (Interstat) — Clyde McClendon Jr. plunged into the end zone from a yard out with 1:56 remaining to cap a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback, lifting Grambling to a 31-28 victory over Texas A&M-Commerce in a non-conference football game Saturday night at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.

The Tigers, who trailed by 14 points in the second half, improved to 3-1 on the season. The Lions remained winless, falling to 0-3.

Texas A&M-Commerce quarterback Eric Rodriguez was prolific in the loss, completing 23 of 33 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 22 yards on 10 carries. His efforts helped the Lions build a 21-7 halftime lead and a 28-21 advantage early in the fourth quarter.

But Grambling’s defense stiffened when it mattered most, and the Tigers’ ground game wore down the Lions late. McClendon’s game-winning score was the culmination of a methodical 13-play, 75-yard drive that consumed over six minutes of clock in the final period.

The game was a tale of two halves. The Lions dominated the second quarter, scoring 14 points. Running back EJ Oakmon opened the scoring with a 7-yard touchdown run midway through the period. Just over three minutes later, Rodriguez connected with receiver Brycen Davis on a 3-yard scoring pass to extend the lead to 14-0.

Grambling finally found its footing just before the break. Quarterback C’zavian Teasett engineered a quick drive, culminating in an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Covadis Knighten with 59 seconds left in the half to cut the deficit to 14-7.

The Tigers carried that momentum into the third quarter. Teasett, who finished 14 of 26 for 179 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, scored on a 1-yard run to tie the game. After Rodriguez answered with a 26-yard touchdown strike to Jaden Proctor to put the Lions back ahead 21-14, Grambling running back Byron Eaton Jr. broke free for a 54-yard touchdown run to knot the score at 21-21 heading into the final quarter.

Texas A&M-Commerce reclaimed the lead early in the fourth. Running back JaiSean McMillian powered his way into the end zone from 6 yards out to cap a 12-play drive, putting the Lions up 28-21.

Grambling responded with a 41-yard field goal from Theodore Caballero to pull within 28-24, setting the stage for the game-winning drive led by Teasett and powered by McClendon and Tre Bradford.

McMillian led the Lions’ rushing attack with 33 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. KJ Shankle added 51 yards on 13 attempts. Paul Odidi was Rodriguez’s top target, hauling in five passes for 50 yards.

For Grambling, Eaton was the standout on the ground, gaining 69 yards and a touchdown on just six carries. Tyson George led the receivers with three catches for 59 yards.

The Tigers’ defense came up with a crucial play in the first half, as defensive back Markel Linzer intercepted a Rodriguez pass to set up the team’s first touchdown.

The loss extends a difficult start to the season for Texas A&M-Commerce, which has been outscored by a significant margin in its first three games. Grambling, after a lopsided loss to Ohio State, has now won two straight as it prepares to open Southwestern Athletic Conference play.

Texas A&M-Commerce will look for its first win next Saturday when it hosts North Carolina Central. Grambling travels to face Prairie View A&M in its SWAC opener next Saturday.