Jacarde Carter's 69-yard fumble return and Zoltan Riazzo's subsequent PAT helped Grambling State edge Alabama A&M, 16-15, in the SWAC Championship game in Birmingham, Alabama Saturday.
It was the Tigers' sixth SWAC title in the 13-yard history of the game. Four of those wins came against the Bulldogs (8-4), who fell to 1-5 in the championship (AAMU lost 30-24 to Prairie View A&M in 2009).
Trailing 15-9 early in the fourth quarter, Grambling State finally got a big break. AAMU's Bryan Nelson fumbled at the GSU31. Carter scooped up the ball and raced 69 yards to tie the game at 15-all.
Riazzo connected on the game's only successful point-after try. He failed on the team's only other touchdown, while the Bulldogs had one PAT blocked and a second one sail wide.
AAMU had one final chance, driving deep into Grambling State (8-4) territory. However, quarterback Deaunte Mason was intercepted by Cliff Exama with 1:19 left in the game.
The Tigers then ran out the clock and took home another title.
AAMU looked to be solidly in control in the first half.
Kaderius Lacey completed a long drive with a one-yard plunge to make it 6-0 after Chance Wilson's PAT was blocked.
In the second quarter, Mason hit Terrance Pride for a 36-yard score and a 12-0 lead. Wilson later added a 34-yard field goal.
Riazzo gave Grambling it's only score of the first half with a 27-yard field goal.
In the second half, quarterback D.J. Williams finally found a target. Though he completed just four of 16 passes for 100 yards, he hit Mario Louis for a 80-yard pass play touchdown to make the score 15-9.
The victory completed an amazing comeback for Grambling, which began the season 1-4.
"No one will ever forget this team," Exama said. "After going 1-4, no one imagined us being SWAC champions today."
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