GRAMBLING, La. | Xavier Lankford rushed for nearly 200 yards and threw for 127 yards as the Alabama A&M University football team used a big second half and scored 28 unanswered points as the Bulldogs steamrolled to a 45-24 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory over Grambling State on Saturday afternoon at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.

The win gave Alabama A&M its second-ever victory at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium and first since 2011. Also, the victory spoiled the day for Grambling State, which celebrated Homecoming and the field dedication for James "Shack" Harris and Doug Williams.The loss marked GSU's first homecoming defeat since 2006.

Grambling State's defense could not stop Lankford as he rushed 16 times for 193 yards and two scores. He averaged 12.1 yards per carry. Through the air, he went 9 for 22 passing for 127 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

"It was a great game and a great win for the program," Alabama A&M head coach Connell Maynor said. "It's hard to come here and win at Grambling. It's a historic program with great tradition. Coach (Hue) Jackson has done a tremendous job with those guys. It was 17-17 at halftime and in the second half we made some more plays than they did and was able to take control of the game."

Alabama A&M (4-3 overall, 2-2 SWAC) played the field possession game early on and it paid off as the Bulldogs' third offensive possession started at the GSU 34.

Three plays after the Tigers' punt, Ryan Morrow scored on a 7-yard touchdown run, capping a 3-play, 34-yard drive as the Bulldogs took a 7-0 advantage with 4:38 left in the opening quarter.

Grambling State (3-4, 2-2) responded with a 6-play, 75-yard drive as Antonio Jones caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from Myles Crawley, tying the game at 7, with 2:38 remaining.

Back came Alabama A&M, with the bulk of the 72-yard drive on the ground with long runs by Xavier Lankford as Donovan Eaglin scored on a 2-yard run up the middle as the Bulldogs took a 14-7 lead with 22 seconds left.

Grambling State answered with an 8-play, 56-yard drive as Chance Williams scored on a 2-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 14 with just over 12 minutes left in the half.

Alabama A&M drove into GSU territory but a Lankford intercepted halted the drive and turned the ball over to the Tigers with 9:59 remaining in the period. 

After a turnover on a failed punt, Grambling State went right back to work in AAMU territory. However, the Tigers settled for three as Jordan McWain booted a 32-yard field goal, giving the Tigers a 17-14 lead with 1:41 left.

On the strength of a solid running game, Alabama A&M drove the field and Lankford scored on a 7-yard touchdown run, but the score was wiped out because of a penalty. A 28-yard field goal by Victor Barbosa tied the game at 17 right before halftime.

The Tigers began the second half with the football and went 70 yards in eight plays as Crawley scored on a 4-yard keeper as Grambling State took a 24-17 lead with 10:41 left in the third.

However, the Bulldogs responded with three straight scoring possessions. 

Alabama A&M tied the game at 24 as Lankford scored on a 45-yard touchdown run, capping a 3-play, 66-yard drive, with 9:36 remaining.

The Bulldog surrendered a long kick return, but the Tigers walked away empty handed as McWain's field goal attempt went wide left.

Alabama A&M capitalized with a 9-play, 80-yard drive as Lankford connected with Jacolby Hewitt for 23 yards as the Bulldogs broke the tie and took a 31-24 advantage with 2:21 remaining in the quarter.

Grambling State was forced to punt the football on its next possession and Terrell Gardner returned the ball 43 yards to the Tigers' 9. Two plays later, Eaglin scored on a 2-yard run as AAMU extended the lead to 38-24 with 46 seconds left in the period.

Alabama A&M closed out its scoring with 4:26 remaining in the final quarter as Lankford scored on a 6-yard keeper, capping an 11-play, 55-yard drive, taking more than eight minutes off the clock and pushing the margin to 45-24.

CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• Alabama A&M registered 463 total yards, including 336 on the ground
• The Bulldogs finished with 25 first downs
• Xavier Lankford went 9 of 22 passing for 127 yards, with one touchdown and one interception
• Lankford rushed 16 times for 193 yards, with a long of 45 yards and two scores
• Jacolby Hewitt caught three passes for 61 yards and touchdown
• Terrell Gardner returned one punt for 43 yards
• Kaleb Dawson also had 10 tackles, with six solo stops
• Jordan Mitchell led the defense with nine total tackles, including seven solo stops
• Grambling State registered 373 total yards
• The Tigers recorded 21 first downs
• Myles Crawley went 21 of 36 passing for 244 yards, with one touchdown and one interception
• Floyd Chalk had 69 yards on 14 carries
• Antonio Jones caught six passes for 99 yards and one score
• Quintin Talley finished with 12 tackles, including seven solo stops

NEWS & NOTES

• Alabama A&M and Grambling State met for the 29th time
• Grambling State continues to lead the all-time series 21-8 
• Alabama A&M picked up its second ever victory at Grambling State
• The Bulldogs won for the first time since 2011 against the Tigers
• The game featured two of the best offenses in the SWAC
• Grambling State honored James "Shack" Harris and Doug Williams with a field dedication prior to the start of Saturday's game
• This was the first Homecoming loss for the Tigers since 2006

UP NEXT  
The Bulldogs have a week off to prepare for the Magic City Classic against rival Alabama State. Kickoff against the Hornets is set for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28 from Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.

For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics, check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics) and Twitter (@_aamuathletics).