What began as a pivotal SWAC West Division football matchup between Grambling State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff ended in a postgame brawl Saturday, as players from both teams clashed on the field following the Golden Lions’ 35-32 victory over the Tigers.

The altercation broke out shortly after the game ended and took several minutes to bring under control.

Grambling State issued a statement Saturday night apologizing for the incident and condemning the behavior of those involved.

“We sincerely apologize for the behavior exhibited and unequivocally denounce the actions of those involved,” the statement said. “We want to be clear that this is not Grambling State football, nor is it behavior that we encourage or expect from our student-athletes.”

The university also said those responsible would face disciplinary action.

“There is zero tolerance for this type of behavior,” the statement continued. “Those involved will be held accountable, and appropriate disciplinary action will be administered in accordance with university and athletic department policies.”

Grambling coach Mickey Joseph did not address the fight during his postgame news conference, according to the Lincoln Parish Journal.

However, Arkansas-Pine Bluff coach Alonzo Hampton expressed frustration over the incident.

“It’s embarrassing,” Hampton told the Pine Bluff Commercial. “That can’t happen, and regardless of who wins the game, we as mentors, right, as leaders, we gotta make sure our players gotta be able to understand, man, it’s a way that you handle yourself at all times, and we all gotta be accountable for that.”

Hampton apologized to the university’s administration, players, fans and alumni, acknowledging that the incident was an embarrassment to the program.

A separate on-field confrontation involving Grambling and Bethune-Cookman occurred last season as both teams returned to the field for the second half of that contest. That incident eventually led the SWAC office to announce suspensions for 27 players and fines for both institutions.

UAPB rallies for important SWAC West win

Before the postgame incident, Arkansas-Pine Bluff rallied in the fourth quarter to secure a victory that kept the Golden Lions in contention for the SWAC West Division championship.

Grambling led 25-21 entering the final quarter before UAPB scored two touchdowns. Jaylen Jennings scored on a 3-yard run, and DaeDae Allen returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown to give the Golden Lions a 35-25 lead.

The Tigers answered with a 78-yard touchdown pass from Jacobe Robinson to Byron Eaton Jr., cutting the deficit to three points with 5:41 remaining.

UAPB quarterback Jack Schierholz finished with 208 passing yards and a touchdown while adding 80 rushing yards and another score. Demetric Whitlock Jr. had 107 receiving yards, including an 82-yard touchdown reception.

Grambling’s Jamarion Parker rushed for 116 yards on 14 carries, while Robinson passed for 203 yards and a touchdown.

The win improved Arkansas-Pine Bluff to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in SWAC play, keeping the Golden Lions in the West Division title race.

Grambling fell to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in conference play.