Grambling St beats Alabama A&M 16-15, wins SWAC

Published Dec. 10, 2011 10:46 p.m. ET

foxsports

Jacarde Carter returned a fumble 69 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to give Grambling State a 16-15 victory over Alabama A&M in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship.

Grambling (8-4) won its sixth SWAC championship in the 13-year history of the event. Four of those wins have come against Alabama A&M, which fell to 1-5 all-time in the title game.

An 11-yard touchdown run by Kaderius Lacey and a 36-yard scoring pass from Deaunte Mason to Terence Pride helped A&M (8-4) build a 15-0 lead late in the first half. The Bulldogs missed both extra-point attempts.

Grambling closed the gap to 15-9 midway through the third quarter on an 80-yard touchdown pass from D.J. Williams to Mario Louis.

The Tigers won despite completing four passes and being outgained in total yardage 337-182.

Lacey gained 95 yards and set an A&M record for rushing yards in a season with 1,152.