GRAMBLING, La. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant ground attack and a series of squandered opportunities, Texas Southern edged Grambling 21-20 on Saturday at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium in a Southwestern Athletic Conference clash that defied pregame projections.

The contest, pitting two teams nicknamed Tigers, was a far cry from the offensive shootout forecasted by Interstat, which had given Grambling a nearly 65 percent chance to win with a projected score of 42-26. Instead, the game was a defensive struggle where Texas Southern’s relentless rushing offense and a key fourth-quarter stand proved decisive.

Texas Southern improved to 2-3 overall, while Grambling fell to 3-2.

The story of the game was the spectacular performance of Texas Southern’s Athean Renfro, who gashed the Grambling defense for 152 yards on 18 carries, including a breathtaking 60-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter. His backfield mate, Jacob Washington, added 69 yards on 11 attempts, providing a potent one-two punch that kept the chains moving.

Texas Southern quarterback KJ Cooper of El Paso, Texas, managed the game effectively, completing 11 of 20 passes for 89 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also scored a crucial touchdown on a 1-yard run in the third quarter. His primary target was Kerien Charlo, who caught five passes for 48 yards. The receiving touchdown came from tight end Xavier Phipps on a 7-yard pass from Cooper.

Grambling struck first, capitalizing on a methodical opening drive that culminated in a 15-yard touchdown run by quarterback Ashton Frye of Springville, Alabama. The point-after attempt failed, leaving Grambling with an early 6-0 lead.

Texas Southern responded by seizing control in the second quarter. The comeback began with a meticulously executed 13-play, 55-yard drive that ended with Cooper finding Phipps for a 7-yard touchdown pass. Later, with just 1:42 left in the half, Renfro broke loose for his 60-yard scoring sprint, giving Texas Southern a 14-6 advantage.

Grambling answered swiftly before the break. A 76-yard run by Tre Bradford, who finished with a game-high 120 yards on 11 carries, set up a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Byron Eaton Jr. of Dallas. The successful extra point pulled Grambling within a single point at halftime, 14-13.

Texas Southern extended its lead on the opening drive of the second half, marching 50 yards in seven plays. Cooper capped the drive with his 1-yard quarterback sneak, making the score 21-13.

The fourth quarter became a defensive battle. Grambling, rotating quarterbacks Frye, C’zavian Teasett of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Amyne Darensburg of New Orleans, moved the ball but could not find the end zone. Their best chance to tie the game came up short.

The most dramatic sequence came with just over five minutes remaining. Grambling drove to the Texas Southern 9-yard line, but on first down, running back Clyde McClendon Jr. fumbled, and the ball was recovered by Texas Southern’s Damarcus Thompson of Corcoran, California.

Grambling’s defense forced a punt, giving its offense one final chance with under three minutes to play. The drive stalled near midfield, however, and Texas Southern was able to run out the clock, securing the narrow victory.

Despite the loss, Grambling’s Bradford was a standout, and Teasett was efficient in relief, completing all four of his pass attempts for 62 yards. Defensively, Grambling’s Markel Linzer of New Iberia, Louisiana, recorded an interception.

The game’s total points, 41, fell well under the betting over/under line of 50.5, and Texas Southern covered the pregame spread as a 3.5-point underdog.

Texas Southern will look to build on the win when it hosts Virginia Lynchburg next Saturday. Grambling will aim to rebound on the road against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.