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 at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.

The Tigers, who trailed 28-21 entering the final quarter, scored the game’s final 10 points to improve to 3-1 on the season. The Lions remained winless, falling to 0-3.

Texas A&M-Commerce quarterback Eric Rodriguez was 23 of 33 for 229 yards and two touchdowns, adding 22 yards on 10 carries. His performance, however, was overshadowed by the Lions’ inability to hold a late lead and a missed 52-yard field goal attempt by Ozlo Rigby as time expired that would have sent the game to overtime.

Grambling’s offense, which struggled for much of the first half, found its rhythm after halftime. Quarterback C’zavian Teasett completed 14 of 26 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing for another score. Running back Byron Eaton Jr. provided a massive spark, rushing for a 54-yard touchdown in the third quarter and finishing with 69 yards on just six carries.

The Lions built a 14-0 lead in the second quarter on a 7-yard touchdown run by EJ Oakmon and a 3-yard touchdown pass from Rodriguez to Brycen Davis. Grambling got on the board just before halftime when Teasett connected with tight end Covadis Knighten on an 11-yard scoring pass.

Texas A&M-Commerce extended its lead to 21-7 early in the third quarter on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Rodriguez to Jaden Proctor. Eaton’s long touchdown run and a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Teasett later in the quarter tied the game at 21.

The Lions reclaimed the lead, 28-21, on the first play of the fourth quarter when JaiSean McMillian scored on a 6-yard run. Grambling responded with a 41-yard field goal from Theodore Caballero to cut the deficit to 28-24, setting the stage for the game-winning 12-play, 75-yard drive culminating in McClendon’s touchdown.

Grambling’s defense sealed the win with a key sack by Warren Robinson on the Lions’ final possession, forcing the long, unsuccessful field goal attempt.

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