Quintell Quinn's two-yard touchdown run with 4:24 left broke a deadlocked game coupled with a clutch defensive stand as TSU defeated Grambling State 24-17 inside Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday night.
The TSU defense changed the game's trajectory early as they knocked out the GSU starting quarterback on the first drive and when the backup returned on its second drive, they added two more sacks to set the tone. At the close of the first quarter, TSU's Chaunzavia Lewis returned a punt 36 yards to the GSU 24 and three players later, Jace Wilson scored from six yards out to give TSU a 7-0 lead.
The TSU defense would force two more punts but the offense threw an interception which gave GSU the ball at the TSU 46. GSU would get to the TSU 21 but the defense forced a field goal as the lead was 7-3 with 4:02 left in the half.
The Tigers were forced to start their next drive on its own 1-yard line after a kickoff return miscommunication. Wilson would convert a big 26-yard run on a 3rd-and-5 at their own 6 and another 17-yard run on 3rd-and-15 at their own 27. Two plays later, Wilson was forced to exit the game after his helmet came off and Jordon Davis was pressed into duty at quarterback. Davis made the most of his opportunity as he found a streaking Donald McKinney for a 49-yard strike with 11 seconds left. Gustavo Romero's PAT was good as TSU led 14-7 entering the half.
Grambling State controlled the third quarter as they scored on its first drive out of the half to get within 14-10. TSU was forced to punt after its first possession and GSU drove to the TSU 34 but missed a 51-yard field goal attempt. TSU only needed three plays to counter as Wilson connected with Trenton Leary for 32 yards to open the drive as Romero's 46-yard field goal upped the lead to 17-10 with 4:41 left.
Both teams would trade punts as the third quarter ended and the fourth quarter began. Grambling State would tie it at 17-all after a 10-play, 63-yard drive which saw them rush the ball seven times.
With the score tied at 17, TSU went to work as Quintell Quinn converted a key 3rd-and-1 at the TSU 34. Wilson completed two big passes to Jyrin Johnson and Leary for a combined total of 27 yards to move TSU to the GSU 49. Wilson would convert a big 14-yard run to the GSU 32 followed by an 11-yard Quinn rush to the GSU 12. Two plays later, Quinn rushed in from one-yard out to move TSU ahead for good.
The defense forced a punt on tis next drive and the offense ran the clock out to seal the win and its first at Shell Energy Stadium this season.
TSU finished with 366 total yards of offense as they rushed for 189 yards and passed for 177. Wilson rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown while passing for 128 yards, Jyrin Johnson caught five passes for 60 yards while Javius Williams led the Tigers with nine tackles and three tackles for loss.
TSU finally leaves the state of Texas next week as they'll travel to Florida A&M's homecoming in Tallahassee, Fla.
