Pine Bluff, Ark. – October 18, 2025 – The Grambling State Tigers leaned on their defense and the relentless running of Tre Bradford to grind out a 20–16 victory over Arkansas–Pine Bluff on a rain-soaked Saturday afternoon at Simmons Bank Field. It was the Tigers’ first Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) win of the season and a statement performance from a defense that refused to break, even amid turnovers and weather delays.

Defensive Domination Defines the Day

In a game where offense came in flashes and the rain poured in waves, Grambling’s defense stole the show. The Tigers forced three turnovers, including two interceptions by Markel Linzer and one by Blake Davis, all proving pivotal in a hard-fought road win.

Linzer, who was everywhere in the secondary, added a tackle for loss and led the defense with six tackles, matching linebackers Cisco Caston and Isaac Washington for the team high. His first interception flipped momentum late in the second quarter, setting up the Tigers’ first touchdown and reigniting a stagnant offense.

“Those takeaways were everything,” head coach Mickey Joseph said postgame. “Our defense set the tone and gave us chances when things weren’t clicking offensively. That’s the kind of grit we’ve been preaching all year.”

The unit came up clutch repeatedly in the second half, especially after the offense coughed up the ball twice deep in its own territory. Both times, the defense held strong, limiting Arkansas–Pine Bluff to just a pair of field goals instead of potential game-changing touchdowns.

Bradford Powers the Offense

While the defense carried the torch, Tre Bradford shouldered the offensive load. The junior running back recorded his second straight 100-yard game, rumbling for 123 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.

Bradford’s first score — a 12-yard sprint midway through the second quarter — tied the game at 7–7 and energized the Tigers’ sideline after a sluggish start. His second, a 3-yard run with 1:42 remaining, capped an 11-play, 65-yard drive that sealed the victory.

Quarterback C’zavian Teasett managed the offense efficiently, completing 18 of 29 passes for 148 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His 6-yard strike to Jordan Bride in the third quarter gave Grambling its first lead of the game, 14–7, before the weather delay and late-game drama unfolded.

“This was one of those games where we had to stay locked in and trust each other,” Teasett said. “Tre [Bradford] ran hard, the defense kept bailing us out, and in the end, we finished as a team.”

Golden Lions’ Effort Falls Short

For Arkansas–Pine Bluff, the loss was as frustrating as it was familiar. The Golden Lions (3–4, 1–2 SWAC) outgained Grambling 320–300 in total offense and held a 7–0 lead early after Christian Peters connected with Ellis Stewart on a 1-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter.

Peters, however, struggled to maintain consistency, finishing 12 of 30 passing for 204 yards, one touchdown, and three costly interceptions. He also led UAPB in rushing with 84 yards, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the team’s total on the ground.

Kicker Trey Glymph provided all three of the Lions’ second-half scoring plays, hitting field goals from 26 and 31 yards after Grambling turnovers, but the offense couldn’t find the end zone after halftime.

Weather Delay Adds to Drama

The fourth quarter began with a nearly two-hour lightning delay, halting the action just as UAPB began to mount a comeback. When play resumed, the elements seemed to favor Grambling’s run-heavy, defensive approach.

Despite fumbling twice in a 10-minute span, the Tigers’ defense held the line, forcing Pine Bluff into short field goals and keeping the score within striking distance. Then, with under eight minutes remaining, Grambling methodically moved downfield, converting two key third downs before Bradford plunged in for the go-ahead score.

Looking Ahead

The victory moves Grambling State to 4–3 overall and 1–2 in SWAC play, giving the Tigers a crucial confidence boost ahead of next week’s neutral-site clash against No. 14 Jackson State in the inaugural Las Vegas HBCU Classic at Allegiant Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT on HBCU Go.

“This is the kind of win that builds character,” Coach Joseph said. “We’ve taken some tough losses, but the way our guys fought through the weather, the mistakes, and still found a way — that’s Grambling football.”

Final Stats Snapshot

• Grambling State (4–3, 1–2 SWAC): 300 total yards (152 rushing, 148 passing)

• Arkansas–Pine Bluff (3–4, 1–2 SWAC): 320 total yards (204 passing, 116 rushing)

• Key Players: Tre Bradford (GSU) – 123 yards, 2 TDs; Markel Linzer (GSU) – 2 INTs; Christian Peters (UAPB) – 288 total yards, 3 turnovers

In the end, it was defense, discipline, and determination that lifted Grambling State past the storm — both literal and figurative — to claim a gritty 20–16 road win in Pine Bluff.