Uncharacteristic mistakes spoil Grambling's hunt for back-to-back HBCU titles

ATLANTA, Georgia -- You could see the writing on the wall becoming more visible the last two games.

Since the fourth quarter of the Bayou Classic three weeks ago, Grambling State hasn't closed a game the way everyone has become accustomed to the Tigers shutting the door during the program's successful run the last couple of seasons.

And during the uncharacteristic course the Tigers have let a lead completely slip away against rival Southern -- ultimately getting it back soon thereafter -- and a big lead shrink down to single digits in the fourth quarter versus Alcorn State in the SWAC Championship Game. The miscues reared their ugly head at the worst time in the Celebration Bowl Saturday as North Carolina A&T downed the G-Men, 21-14, inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The mistakes crept into a critical part of the game where Grambling (11-2) had dominated all season long, the turnover battle, as Broderick Fobbs' squad turned it over three times. And the Aggies (12-0), who won their second HBCU national title in three years and secured their first undefeated season in program history, made the Tigers pay scoring their first two touchdowns off takeaways.

Grambling vs. North Carolina A&T (Celebration Bowl) Celebration Bowl Trophy Ceremony Presented by Capital One

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